Even in the middle of a pandemic – the worst crisis most restaurants have ever seen – thousands of restaurants across the country are still giving back to their communities through fundraisers. These fundraising restaurants are welcoming groups to order food on a particular day and then donating a set percentage of the group’s sales back to their cause.
A great example of fundraising restaurants in action was the Takeout for Good event on June 2nd. Over 1500 restaurants across the country participated in this special event, giving back 15-25% of takeout orders to their local food banks – over $40,000 in donations!
We were blown away by how enthusiastic these restaurants were to participate, so we asked some of them: Why did you join the Takeout for Good event? Check out what they had to say below!
And if you’re looking to raise money for your own cause – whether it’s for school, a college club, or a charity – the fundraising restaurants listed here are fantastic options. If you don’t see a restaurant near you in this article, you can find nearby fundraising restaurants on GroupRaise – there are over 10,000 to choose from!
“Giving back to the community makes us feel good. It literally is as simple as that.” – Glenn Cox, Bear & The Butcher, Lexington KY
“These times are unlike any other we’ve ever experienced. Now, more than ever, we have to look out for each other, and care for those less fortunate. That’s why it’s important that we help raise money for the food bank to provide for those hardest hit by the coronavirus.” – Hal Newell, Momma Goldberg’s Deli, Montgomery AL
“During these uncertain times, trying to help feed people in our community is our way to thank the SLO neighbors for their effort they are doing to help small local businesses.” – Consuelo Díaz, Gino’s Pizza, San Luis Obispo CA
“We are very happy to participate in helping to feed individuals and families in need. We are here to serve our community daily. Join us Tuesday June 2, for “Takeout For Good”. We will be donating 25% of our sales that day to The Central California Food Bank.” – Linda Neslen, Papa Murphy’s, Fresno CA
“Our community has supported us so strongly during the pandemic it’s the least we can do to help. Christina and I hope to see lots of our patrons and community partners on June 2nd.” – Brad Cowherd, Infusion Tea, Orlando FL
“We always like to give back to our community. Now more than ever, people are facing hardships and we’d like to make a difference. We are happy to support Second Harvest Food Bank.” – Beth Steele, Beth’s Burger Bar, Orlando FL
“We joined the Takeout Tuesday event at all 4 EVOS locations (EVOS South Tampa, EVOS Carrollwood, EVOS St. Petersburg and EVOS Pinecrest) to help further support the local food banks in the communities we operate in. It’s just our way of helping those in need and giving back!” – Michael Jeffers, EVOS, Tampa FL
“As the new General Manager, I value Mellow Mushroom’s community involvement and creating a workplace culture where employees can make a positive impact to the Middle Georgia Community Food Bank. Corporate donations allow the employees to take an active interest in their own community and it’s super MELLOW to give back.” – Melanie Kappel, Mellow Mushroom, Macon GA
“During this time, it is important that families have quality food options they can enjoy safely in their own home. At Papa Murphy’s, that is what we’ve always been about, so it is only natural that we help serve our local food banks to help feed the less fortunate. We take pride in serving our communities. We are thankful for this opportunity to be able to give a portion of our sales back to the communities we serve, and help the people who may be struggling. Everyone should have the opportunity to have good meals at a time like this, and we are glad that we can help do that.” – Chris, Papa Murphy’s, Cedar Rapids & Waterloo IA
“All 6 Treasure Valley Papa Johns are Independently Owned and Operated, We Love Our Community, and Our Motto is Simply DO what Is Right, and this is a chance to continue doing what is right.” – Heather Beebe, Papa John’s, Caldwell ID
“Greater Chicago Food Depository does so much good for so many. We are excited to shine a spotlight on their good work and donate a portion of sales!” – Kelley Whalen, Lawrence’s Fish & Shrimp, Chicago IL
“On the Border Wichita is proud to be a part of an event that supports the Kansas Food Bank. The effects of COVID19 are far reaching and we will possibly never know the positive effect our donation will have on others. We are in the People Business and we hope to impact as many people as we can with our actions.” – Leah Schaible, On The Border, Wichita KS
“Giving back to the community makes us feel good. It literally is as simple as that.” – Glenn Cox, Bear & The Butcher, Lexington KY
“We are very excited to be part of this event to give back to our local community. It is our small way of saying Thanks to our people who have supported us in all times good and bad. We just want to tell them you were there for us and we will always be there for you!” – Minnie Ali, Checkers, Baton Rouge LA
“Taco King wants to be part of giving and sharing to the community and others.” – Saber Naghmouchi, Taco King, Ann Arbor MI
“Right now is a hard time for many people in all kinds of different ways. Participating in this fundraiser is a simple, small thing we are able to do to help those who are in serious need right now. While we are all negotiating the various challenges of this crisis it’s important not to forget those who are in serious need of basic assistance; like those served by Second Harvest.” – Will, 50th Street Malt Shop, Minneapolis MN
“The reason that we are joining in to support this event is that the Charlotte community has been very supportive over the past few months in supporting our business and we hope that our small effort to support the Takeout for Good event is something we can do to support those in need in the Charlotte area. We admire the work being done by the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina and hope we can continue to support them in these challenging times.” – Kenneth Fay, Teriyaki Madness, Charlotte NC
“We’re excited to support the Asheville community through Take Out Tuesday. We’ve hosted many community-based fundraisers over the years – it is rewarding to get involved and give back.” – Lauren Steiner, Five Guys, Asheville NC
“We jump at the opportunity to support the community anytime we get the chance to because we are who we are because of the community. We have some of the best food around, and it is really a treat for people to eat our food. We are a part of Takeout Tuesday because if people need to be fed, we want to be a part of it.” – Chloria Chandler, Bobbee O’s BBQ, Charlotte NC
“Honky Tonk Smokehouse is pleased to be participating in the Takeout For Good. We hope that people from across the community will come out on Tuesday June 2nd to dine in or takeout our delicious food while also helping to support the Second Harvest Food Bank of NWNC. We hope to introduce folks who may be unfamiliar with our smoked meats to a new way of barbecue preparation. Participants just have to let us know when placing their orders that they would like us to make a donation on their behalf to the Food Bank.” – Susan Platt, Honky Tonk Smokehouse, Winston-Salem NC
“As America’s Diner we feel a responsibility now more than ever to come together and take care of our communities in the best way we know how, by feeding people.” – John Dillon, Chief Brand Officer for Denny’s, Las Vegas, NV
“As a local family business, Cinco knows how important it is to give back to our community; the last few months have been difficult for everyone, but we’re all in this together! Let’s keep Columbus fed!” – Francisco Garcia, Cinco, Columbus OH
“I joined this event to support the work that the food bank is doing for the community, we had worked with the food bank before via Food on the Move. The covid-19 pandemic has exponentially altered the way of life of the world consequently generating hunger and poverty. I try to help as much as we can to support the cause of end hunger now.” – Vincent Gonzalez, T-TownGourmet Mobile Food Truck, Tulsa OK
“Feeding SD is doing great things for those most impacted by COVID-19, so we’re happy to support them. We have been impacted, too, and we hope that Takeout Tuesday will bring some new customers through our door who will want to come back again. We also look forward to seeing customers again who may have stayed away for awhile.” – Jay Reeve, Khorasan Kabob House, Sioux Falls SD
“We joined this event because we are so incredibly lucky to be part of a community that supports small business when it really counts. The past few weeks have been devastating in every way, but we’ve been able to stay open in some capacity throughout the pandemic because of the support from our community. This opportunity felt like a way to give back a little.” – Rachel Ames Alexandru, Chill Spot, Brentwood TN
“During these unprecedented times, we wanted to help our community out by giving back to the South Plains Food Bank. We believe in coming together during these difficult times to help one another out in any sort of way possible! We would like to thank GroupRaise & the South Plains Food Bank for giving us the opportunity to give back to our community!” – Max Bhakta, Pita Pit, Lubbock TX
“As a locally and family owned business we want to give back to our supporters and communities. PitaLicious is not just about good food – it’s about healthy authentic food. Anytime we can give back we do, we love to bring hope to people in need and thus deliver social cohesion. PitaLicious Mediterranean Kitchen uses local Austin resources in all ingredients and products.” – Mike Zayour, PitaLicious Mediterranean Kitchen, Austin TX
“We are a family owned restaurant that values community, as well as our city. The thought that we stay on the sidelines and do nothing to help people in need during this crazy, tragic time was never a thought. We are very proud that we are able to help now, and in the future.” – Frank Harbin, Pane E Vino Trattoria and Pizzeria, Katy TX
“Wing Nutz has a long history of its involvement in giving back to the community through its “One Wing at a Time” program. This event gives us the opportunity to extend our participation in the community in helping the Utah Food Bank and directly helping those in our local area.” – Will Miller, Wing Nutz, Salt Lake City UT
“Our owner Matt Goodwin and our entire team have always been really focused on giving back to the local community that has always supported us so genuinely. During these recent tough times people throughout the community as well as our loyal customers have really stepped up and showed so much support for us and we felt that this was a great opportunity to show our gratitude and give back to people in need.” – Michael Alverson, The Backyard Public House, Spokane WA
As you can see from the quotes above, there are so many fundraising restaurants that love connecting with their communities and lending support where they can.
Show them some love too by ordering out often and partnering with a local restaurant for your next fundraiser. It’s a win-win: the restaurant gets extra business and you get funds for your cause!
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