Bloomingdale Chamber restaurants serve up support for local food pantries

The Bloomingdale Chamber of Commerce recently announced One Meal at a Time, a collaborative fundraising initiative uniting 12 local member restaurants to support three community food pantries that serve the Bloomingdale area, Neighborhood Food Pantries, Roselle UMC Community Food Pantry, and Bloomingdale Township Food Pantry.

This partnership encourages residents to dine locally between Monday, Oct. 27 and Thursday, Oct. 30, to help combat food insecurity in the community.

In response to the overwhelming local need a dozen generous chamber member restaurants have committed to raising funds to help their neighbors. Each participating restaurant will either donate 1% of their profits earned over the four-day period (Oct. 27-30) or provide a one-time lump sum check directly to the three local food pantries.

“One Meal at a Time is a wonderful way for our local restaurants and bakeries to come together and support our food pantries,” said Chris Karountzos, general manager of Anyway’s who spearheaded the project. “We’re stronger when we work together, and this effort truly shows what can happen when our community unites for a great cause.”

This initiative is a powerful demonstration of how Bloomingdale Chamber businesses are actively building goodwill and strengthening the social fabric of the area.

“Our local restaurants are the heart of our community, and this partnership shows their commitment goes far beyond serving great meals,” said Cindy Allston, president/CEO of the Bloomingdale Chamber of Commerce “They are investing directly in the well-being of our residents.”

The community's help is essential to the success of this effort. There is no flyer or coupon needed — simply choose to dine out, order takeout, or cater from one of the 12 participating restaurants between Monday, Oct. 27, and Thursday, Oct. 30. Every meal purchased directly increases the funds donated to the pantries.

The Bloomingdale Chamber of Commerce urges all residents make plans to eat out Monday through Thursday. Your patronage will ensure this collective effort maximizes its impact for those who rely on the local food pantries.

Participating restaurants include:

• Bloomingdale: Sporty’s Restaurant & Catering, 448 W. Army Trail Road; Anyway’s Grill & Pub, 304 W. Army Trail Road; La Campana Mexican Restaurant, 306 W. Army Trail Road; Chick-fil-A, 354 W. Army Trail Road; Culver’s, 455 W. Schick Road; PhoLicious Vietnamese Cuisine & Boba, 369 W. Army Trail Road, Suite 24; US Ramen, 156 E. Lake St., Suite B; Dino’s Café, 171 E. Lake St.; Delish Cakes, 148 S. Bloomingdale Road; McAllister’s Deli, 454 W. Army Trail Road; and Nothing Bundt Cakes, 398 W. Army Trail Road, Suite 102B.

• Carol Stream: Mapleberry Pancake House, 1276 Kuhn Road.