“It was an easy decision,” Paterakis said in an interview with the Washington Post. If it were he who had been stuck out there on the road with no food, he added, “I would want someone to offer their products.”

Ron Hill, the truck driver, passed out bread to more than 50 cars stranded on I-95. The drivers admired this company’s willingness to help them, and Paterakis shared the sentiment. He said it’s in bakers’ DNA to help feed people … especially those who need it most.

“Myself, my family and the entire H&S Bakery team are humbled by what transpired on I-95 during the snowstorm earlier this week,” Paterakis said. “When Casey took the initiative to reach out and let us know about all of the travelers stranded on that icy highway, it was without question or pause that we would access our product and use the resources available to help those hungry and in need. How could anyone finding themselves in a similar situation respond differently?”

For Paterakis, the core values of giving back and doing the right thing have been instilled in his family’s company since the very beginning. And as a family-owned business, H&S is able to be nimble and mobilize quickly when a situation like this one arose.

“It is part of our mission statement to create meaningful change in our community. It’s what we did during the early phases of the pandemic when we donated nearly 3 million loaves of bread to local schools and charities, and it’s what we will continue to do,” Paterakis added.

But the true heroes of the story? Paterakis said that’s Holihan and Hill.

“We are inspired by their quick thinking, selflessness, and responsiveness to meet the moment and help in the relief effort,” Paterakis said. “They are deserving of recognition and gratitude from their community. For us, we are just honored and grateful that we found ourselves in a position to be of service.”

Images from Casey Holihan Noe on Facebook.