Gobble Doggs awards scholarships to aspiring entrepreneurs in community

Gobble Doggs gave away eight scholarships this year with a little bit of help from cash tips.

Gobble Doggs owner Annah Mitchell decided to use cash tips she collected during her shifts and apply it toward the $1,500 she allocated for scholarship money.

After depositing tips weekly in the Gobble Doggs scholarship account between January and March 2019, the scholarship fund yielded an additional $3,100, amassing a grand total of $4,600.

"I never imagined we would make that much in tips. I figured at best, we would bring in an additional $500 to add to our scholarship fund," Mitchell said. "But every week I saw the amount climb and when we hit the $3,100 mark, I was just elated to know that we would be able to help more students pursue their entrepreneurial dreams."

This year's Gobble Doggs scholarship winners are the following:

• Joshua Bruce of Oswego East High School in Oswego, $500.

• Dejah L. Hopkins of Glenbard West High School in Glen Ellyn, $500.

• Donnie W. Minor, Jr., of Waubonsie Valley High School in Aurora, $750.

• Brandon Robinson of Waubonsie Valley High School in Aurora, $500.

• Tatiana Sheppard of Ogden International High School in Chicago, $750.

• Caymen Woods of Waubonsie Valley High School, $750.

• Tyanna Wilson of Hillcrest High School in Country Club Hills, $250.

• Jayda Yancey of Illinois Math and Science Academy in Aurora, $500.

Mitchell said she didn't announce to any of her customers that she would be using her tips to go toward the Gobble Doggs scholarship fund. She said the tips collected were what she believed was a combination of good customer service and excess pocket change many of her customers weren't interested in carrying. The extra change proved beneficial as Gobble Doggs will give away seven scholarships this year.

"We're excited because it's the first year we've given a scholarship and now to think we can offer seven scholarships to students so that they can pursue their entrepreneurial dreams is amazing," Mitchell said.

Gobble Doggs will honor scholarship recipients during a small ceremony at the Aurora Public Library's Eola Branch. Recipients will receive their awards, certificate of scholarship and some Gobble Doggs swag. The scholarship was offered to qualifying African-American graduating high school seniors who showed a passion for business and/or entrepreneurship. Scholarships can be used to attend college or a trade school, to start their own business or enhance their current business.

Gobble Doggs is a family-owned catering, food truck and kiosk business, serving delicious gourmet turkey hot dogs throughout the Chicago area. Gobble Doggs has longed believed that its success is not just based on its sales but through its commitment to the community. Since Gobble Doggs started, it has served more than 1,100 meals to the homeless and can now include giving away at least $4,500 in scholarship money.

For information about Gobble Doggs, visit www.GobbleDoggs.com or call (331) 234-1280.