Larry's Lunch Box

Larry's Lunch Box is a continuing fund supporting free ice cream, kids' meals, and small acts of kindness for children visiting Ethel's. The fund is supported through print sales, donations, and the generosity of the community.

This week I watched thousands of people rally around an old lunch wagon.

Not just because of burgers or Reubens.

Because places like Ethel's matter.

And people will defend and support what they love.

Ethel's is family.

This week felt a little like reunion.

As donations grew, I found myself thinking a little further down the road.

Larry back in the window.

The line stretching toward the road.

People talking beneath the old tree.

It's hot.

Southside Virginia July hot.

And some kid wanting an ice cream.

Times are tight.

Simple things sometimes become extravagances.

I have fond memories of the old "tasty freezes" that used to dot Southside Virginia.

Little walk-up windows where you could get a burger, a hot dog, or an ice cream cone on a summer evening.

There aren't many of them left.

That's one of the reasons Ethel's is special.

The memories.

When I was a little boy, I once found myself sitting in a restaurant with a friend.

He had a burger and fries in front of him.

I didn't.

Somewhere along the way, I realized I didn't have enough money to order anything.

A few minutes later, a waitress sat a plate down in front of me anyway.

Burger and fries.

She told me someone had ordered it and never came back.

Maybe they did.

Maybe they didn't.

I've never forgotten it.

Larry's Lunch Box is my way of passing that kindness forward.

The fund helps provide free ice cream, kids' meals, and small acts of kindness for children visiting Ethel's. The fund operates at Larry's discretion and will continue as long as Ethel's remains open.

To support the fund, I am offering a collection of photographs called Ethel's View.

These photographs were made from Ethel's parking lot and of the field across the road.

Some were taken while waiting beneath the old tree for an order.

Others came during quick stops on the way to or from work.

Fifty percent of profits from Ethel's View print sales will be placed into Larry's Lunch Box.

One hundred percent of direct donations will go into the fund.

You can take home a piece of Ethel's View.

And somewhere down the road, a kid gets a scoop of ice cream on a summer evening.

There are far worse things in this world.

Give a kid a scoop.

A smile.

A memory.

Over the years I've made a handful of photographs from Ethel's parking lot and of the field across the road.

Some were made while waiting beneath the old cypress tree for an order.

Others came during quick stops for the Light on the way to or from work.

-50% of profits from Ethel's View print sales go into Larry's Lunch Box.
-100% of direct donations go into the fund.
-Funds are used at Larry's discretion for ice cream, kids' meals, and small acts of kindness.
-The project will continue as long as Ethel's remains open.

There are far worse things in this world.

Give a kid a scoop.

A smile.

A memory.