No doubt about it, if you’re really hungry and want a good value, the Old Country Buffet in Lynnwood and Shoreline fit the bill.
But what is really special about the “O.C.B” as they call themselves, is what they do for their local communities.
Every year, the Lynnwood and Shoreline O.C.B, as well as the other 489 restaurants under the Buffets, Inc. corporate umbrella, (nine locations in Western Washington) receives approximately 15,000 passes for free children’s meals, said Deborah Mayes, Lynnwood O.C.B’s community representative.
Mayes gets the fortuitous task of distributing those free passes out to the Lynnwood community. She donates them, through the O.C.B, to the Edmonds School District for students who have been caught doing something good and she also gives out “Bee brave” certificates with free meal coupons to children who are lost at a fair or receiving a shot at the Health District in Lynnwood.
“The O.C.B regularly donates meal passes, brownies and Rice Crispy Treats to other children and fund-raising events such as the Alderwood Boys &Girls Club, the Lynnwood and entire Snohomish County Little Leagues, school fundraisers (math night, school clean-up events and more), school celebrations, churches and Sunday Schools, local PTA’s and just about any other place there are K-8 grade school children,” Mayes said.
The O.C.B also donates thousands of free meal coupons, buttons, stickers, balloons and more for the Brier, Edmonds, Lynnwood and New Beginnings Church in Mountlake Terrace Easter egg hunts and celebrations.
In addition, Mayes said, O.C.B has the fortune to have an exclusive arrangement with the Southwest Snohomish County’s Support 7, the non-profit organization which offers immediate help, physically, emotionally and spiritually to victims of tragedy in the local community. Support 7 and O.C.B also nourish the police officers and fire fighters during their long and arduous emergencies.
Buffets, Inc. also provides a mascot, the “O.C. Bee” to each facility, which makes free public appearances upon request.
“The only exception is Thursday nights,” Mayes said, “when the O.C. Bee makes his public appearances at all of our restaurants across the nation.”
It was a Thursday when my family and I went and tried out the O.C.B. for dinner. My 2-year-old was elated to see the O.C. Bee. Every time he was in sight she’d yell “Hi Bee!” Then as soon as the Bee would get close to her, she’d blush and shy away. Then as he’d get to a safe distance again—she’d yell, proud- “bye Bee.” My “grown up” 5-year-old sat back on her haunches, not as impressed, and informed me, “Mom – it’s just a costume, not a real bee.”
Among the many events the Bee has attended for free are: city park cleanups and reading nights at the Lynnwood library, where he gives away hundreds of meal passes and “brownie bites” desserts, Mayes said. Not to mention the Thunderbirds’ Mascot Night and the Mariners and Everett Aquasox games. The Bee can also be seen in most local summer parades.
On top of their over 90 different food items served everyday, the O.C.B. also has special seafood nights on Wednesdays and Fridays and special barbecue nights Thursdays and Saturdays.
For more information about special events for families, groups or businesses call 425-672-9731 in Lynnwood and 206-542-5665 in Shoreline. According to Terry Lewis, the general manager, O.C.B doesn’t charge any rent for use of their space for big events.
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