Dining at St. Augustine’s Columbia Restaurant in September offers a delicious way to donate to Betty Griffin Center during the restaurant’s 29th Annual ‘Community Harvest.’
In September, Columbia donates five percent of any guest’s lunch and dinner checks to the charitable organizations chosen by customers. Guests simply choose a charity from a ballot that’s provided with the check. Vote for Betty Griffin Center and the restaurant calculates the five percent donation. There’s no additional cost to the guest.
“We’re proud that Betty Griffin Center has been selected by Columbia Restaurants for this fundraising event for so many years,” said Betty Griffin Center Development Director Kenlie Herring. “It’s a fun way to give, enjoy a great meal and support a serious cause, helping survivors of domestic and sexual assault in St. Johns County. Every dollar we receive supports our agency and the programs we provide.”
The Columbia Community Harvest takes place at seven Columbia Restaurants throughout the state, including the St. Augustine location at 98 St. George St. in the Olde Town area. All Columbia locations are open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. Diners can also donate at Columbia’s Cha Cha Coconuts, Ulele and Casa Santo Stefano restaurants in Florida
Over the past 28 years, the Columbia Restaurant Community Harvest has donated more than $4.8 million to non-profit organizations throughout Florida. Last year, 100 nonprofit groups took part in the fundraiser.
The original Columbia Restaurant was founded in Tampa’s Historic Ybor City in 1905 by Cuban immigrant Casimiro Hernandez, Sr. and is now Florida’s oldest restaurant. All Columbia locations are owned and operated by 4th and 5th generation members of the founding family except for Columbia Restaurant Cafe at Tampa International Airport, which is operated in partnership with HMSHost.