(Photo Courtesy of Brustman Carrino PR)
A new annual restaurant discount program, Culinary Community for Camillus House, slated for every Sunday-Thursday, October 2 – November 23, 2016, has been launched. Taking place just after Miami Spice, the timing is perfect for food and wine enthusiasts to continue to enjoy delicious meals at discounted prices while benefitting a vital cause that has always been a top priority of the culinary community. To that end, participating restaurants will offer a fixed price two-course lunch for $15 and/or a two-course dinner for $25, excluding gratuities, at a 20-30% discount from usual menu prices. Five percent generated from those meals will go directly to Camillus House to feed and house individuals and families in need. Confirmed restaurants to date include Barceloneta, River Seafood Oyster Bar, Timo, Café at Books and Books, Soyka Restaurant, Central Brasserie, Via Verdi Cucina Italiana, Izzy’s Fish & Oyster Bar, and Mare Mio Restaurant.
The program’s creators, a team of pro bono public relations specialists, in tandem with Camillus House, are expecting 20-25 restaurants to come on board and believe the timing of the program, in the shoulder season between Miami Spice and Thanksgiving, will fuel its growth and make it a much-anticipated annual culinary event. Beyond that, they are hoping to strengthen the charity’s bond with the culinary community, creating stronger training and work programs for Camillus House clients, among other benefits. In light of recent funding cuts to regional non-profit organizations, including Camillus House, the timing of this program is very relevant.
Participating restaurants will be the recipients of a regional publicity, advertising and marketing campaign designed to bring guests to their establishment during the program’s duration. Restaurant partners will be listed as they come aboard.
Since 1960, Camillus House has provided humanitarian services to persons who are poor and homeless in Miami-Dade County, Florida. As a ministry of the Hospitaller Brothers of St. John of God, Camillus House originally was established to serve Cuban exiles. From its humble beginning as a small soup kitchen, Camillus has grown into a full service organization offering a comprehensive “system of care” including food, clothing, emergency, transitional and permanent housing, physical and mental health care, and substance abuse treatment. On an annual basis, among a host of other services, Camillus provides 545,000 free meals; food boxes, showers and clothing for 2,700, as well as housing for 1,100 individuals and families each night. Beyond all that, Camillus provides the intangible gift of hope by treating every individual with love, respect, and dignity. For further info: www.camillus.org.
