Simply Cook It to donate part of Memorial Day weekend profits to vets

Mt. Olive - In honor of Memorial Day, Simply Cook It, a gourmet meal preparation company, has announced it will donate 10 percent of each meal plan purchased between May 26 and May 31 to the N.J. Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation. “The Memorial Day holiday recognizes our fallen heroes,” said Jan Koekemoer, an owner and operator of Simply Cook It. “In some small way, we want to do our part to recognize their sacrifice and promote the good work of the foundation.” Simply Cook It sells eight- or 12-meal plans online. Buyers choose from a list of about 15 gourmet meals. On their scheduled day, they arrive at the store, where they combine ingredients into ready-to-cook containers. For every meal plan purchased around the holiday weekend, Simply Cook It will donate 10 percent of the price to the foundation, which depends on contributions to help carry out its programs at the Vietnam Era Educational Center in Holmdel. Last year, more than 9,000 students toured the center, which also hosts lecture series and annual ceremonies. “We have made a commitment to not only serve the local community, but to support it as well,” said Koekemoer. “This is only one event of many others we are planning throughout the year. We hope people will come by to enjoy not only the great food, but to help support our veterans, too.” Simply Cook It is located in Mt. Olive at 61 International Drive South (next to Staples). The memorial and Vietnam Era Educational Center and memorial are located at exit 116 off the Garden State Parkway (on the grounds of the PNC Bank Arts Center).