Shirley’s Catering gives out free meals ahead of reopening

Like many businesses on Saipan, Shirley’s Catering Services halted operations following the onslaught of Super Typhoon Sinlaku last week.

Ahead of its planned reopening next week, owner Shirley Wilson—for whom the business is named—decided to give away free meals on the morning of April 24, starting at 11am until supplies lasted.

“We're doing this to help the people that got devastated from the typhoon before we start our operation next week. We're doing this for a good cause,” said Wilson of the one-day food distribution effort.

Corazon Españo, head chef and operations manager, said they initially planned to distribute only 300 bento meals.

“But when I saw the line was long, [we] made like less than 500 bento plates.”

As for the meals prepared, Españo listed some of Shirley’s Catering’s bestsellers.

“The first set is red rice, pork steak, and breaded mahi with tartar sauce. The second one is red rice, Chamorro beef steak, and breaded mahi with tartar sauce. The third one is meatballs with brown gravy, red rice, and breaded mahi with tartar sauce. The fourth one is pork adobo with red rice and breaded mahi also with tartar sauce. And the fifth one, we have breaded basa with mixed vegetable tempura with shrimp and red rice,” she said.

Asked for a message to loyal customers, a visibly emotional Wilson deferred to Españo.

“This is [our only] way we can [bring] help to everybody—our customers, you know, [to reward] their loyalty to our business. And after the typhoon happened, I know all of us are suffering,” said Españo. “Some people have no roof over their house. So we think this is one way we can help—just to cook and give food to them.”