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The owner of a popular Ingersoll food truck is aiming to raise awareness about suicide by launching a new burger and donating proceeds to suicide prevention in memory of his family.
Article Author:
Brian Williams • Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Published June 15, 2024 • Last updated 58 minutes ago • 2 minute read
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Anthony Pinheiro and Juanita Keddy of That Food Truck in Ingersoll launched a new menu item, the Big Brother Burger, to raise awareness of suicide after recent deaths in their families. Pictured June 13, 2024. (Mike Hensen/London Free Press)
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INGERSOLL – The owner of a popular Ingersoll food truck is aiming to raise awareness about suicide by introducing a new burger and donating proceeds to suicide prevention efforts in memory of his family.
The Food Truck, a family-run food stand, will be launching its Big Brother Burger next Tuesday after losing 22-year-old Brayden Danahy, a member of a large family, on May 15. The new item aims to perpetuate the memory of Brayden, one of 12 brothers and sisters, as well as raise awareness and donate proceeds to suicide prevention.
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“We just wanted to do something for him,” said Anthony Pinheiro, co-owner of the food truck and Braden's father-in-law, “and use the proceeds to help families and people in need.”
Since Braden died last month in Kitchener, where he lived, his family has been working to end the stigma associated with suicide.
The Big Brother Burger – two patties, onions, cheese, lettuce, pickles and secret sauce sandwiched between two sesame seed buns – is a way for the family to reach out to others who may be in need and raise funds for the Waterloo Region Suicide Prevention Council.
Braden was a fun, outgoing and generous guy, “the kind of guy who would give the shirt off his back,” Pinheiro said.
His mother, Kim Petersen, added that her son was interested in “anything with wheels.” “First it was skateboards, then BMX bikes, then cars, dirt bikes, ATVs — anything with moving rubber tires.”
Juanita Keddy, Pinheiro's wife, Brayden's mother-in-law and food truck co-owner, said Brayden “loved his brothers and sisters” and was always happy to help out when he could.
“You could ask him for anything and he would do it. Anything he could do,” she said.
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Pinheiro and Petersen have since divorced and remarried, but Petersen said the family remains close.
Suicide is often kept secret because of the stigma that comes with it, Petersen said, but she thought, “I wasn't ashamed of Brayden while he was alive, so why should I be ashamed of his death?”
Brayden Danahy's large blended family, below portrait of Brayden (Submitted Photo)
Even before the Big Brother Burger debuts next week, The Food Truck is already raising awareness and funds for suicide.
The store distributes suicide prevention buttons, key chains, stickers and other items depending on how much people donate, Pinheiro said. So far, about $2,700 has been donated to the Suicide Prevention Council in Brayden's name.
Pinheiro said while working at the food truck, he wears a pin badge with the number 9-8-8, the suicide hotline that people feeling suicidal can call.
“If you're feeling down, ask for help,” Pinheiro says. “It's okay to not be okay.”
Keddie said they'll be honoring Brayden on the 22nd of each month because he's “forever 22.” Every 22nd day, an order will be free and That Food Truck will donate the proceeds to the National Council on Suicide Prevention.
“He's not going away,” Keddie said, “and if we can save just one person from doing that, then his death will not have been in vain.”
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