Eat Well Do Good September Promotion Helps Local Non-Profits

August 26, 2024 | Sarasota

The Columbia Restaurant Group will once again be supporting Suncoast Charities for Children, and several other local non-profit agencies, during their 27^th Annual Community Harvest program during the entire month of September.

The Tampa-based restaurant group is donating 5% of all diner’s checks to local charitable organizations in communities near their various restaurant locations. Here in Sarasota any customers dining inside or ordering takeout, at either the Columbia Restaurant or Cha Cha Coconuts, can choose a charity from a ballot that is included with their check or write in the charity of their choice. Both restaurants are located on beautiful St. Armands Circle and once the program ends, the Columbia Restaurant then provides each charity with gift certificates that can be used for up to 12 months.  

“As we look ahead to Columbia’s 120^th anniversary in 2025, I’m reminded that great restaurants are more than just places to eat; they’re part of the fabric of the community,” said 4th generation caretaker and president Richard Gonzmart. “I started this program to help many of the worthy non-profits so important to the people who live near our restaurants across Florida. The simple concept is to ‘Eat Well And Do Good.’ It’s a delicious way to help these organizations.”

Over the past 26 years, the Columbia Restaurant Community Harvest has donated $4 Million to non-profit organizations throughout Florida.  Columbia locations include Ybor City in the historic district of Tampa, St. Armands Circle in Sarasota, the historic district of St. Augustine, Sand Key on Clearwater Beach, Central Florida’s town of Celebration, the Columbia Cafe on the Riverwalk in downtown Tampa at the Tampa Bay History Center and the Columbia Restaurant Cafe at Tampa International Airport. Cha Cha Coconuts also is on St. Armands Circle in Sarasota. Ulele, Goody Goody, and Casa Santo Stefano are all in Tampa. For reservations, visit the websites of the participating restaurants.