The Minnesota Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Neighbor Award recognizes restaurants that demonstrate continuing community service through one or more programs that raise funds, encourage volunteers, increase awareness or in other ways assist non-profit or charitable efforts and that encourage involvement by employees, guests and suppliers in their community activity. This award was presented for the first time in 2016.
2018 Restaurant Neighbor Award:
Grandma's Restaurant Company, Duluth
Grandma’s Restaurant Company enthusiastically supports a variety of charitable activities with goods, services and human resources. Responses to donation requests can vary from a gift certificate for a silent auction item for Safe Haven Women’s Crisis Center to hosting a fundraiser for the Richard I. Bong Veterans Center.
Sometimes the company’s contribution is in the form of leadership, such as employees serving on the board of the Boys and Girls Club or chairing its annual fundraising gala. A dedicated staff member works closely with the United Way to ensure that the internal United Way campaign is as meaningful as possible. Recent United Way initiatives included donations from 287 employees combined with a corporate gift to total $28,044; 80 employees volunteering for eight different Day of Caring community projects; and many of their restaurants participating in the annual United Way Chili Cook-off, a major fundraiser for the community.
The company is also a major sponsor for the non-profit wellness organization, Grandma’s Marathon, which gives back to the community in more ways than just the world-class running event. In addition, the company delivers meals to Bentleyville Tour of Lights volunteers, and encourages staff to serve on boards such as the Y.M.C.A., Visit Duluth and The Canal Park Business Association.
Grandma’s Restaurant Company summarizes its greatest impacts as follows:
View Grandma's Restaurant Company's video:
Sometimes the company’s contribution is in the form of leadership, such as employees serving on the board of the Boys and Girls Club or chairing its annual fundraising gala. A dedicated staff member works closely with the United Way to ensure that the internal United Way campaign is as meaningful as possible. Recent United Way initiatives included donations from 287 employees combined with a corporate gift to total $28,044; 80 employees volunteering for eight different Day of Caring community projects; and many of their restaurants participating in the annual United Way Chili Cook-off, a major fundraiser for the community.
The company is also a major sponsor for the non-profit wellness organization, Grandma’s Marathon, which gives back to the community in more ways than just the world-class running event. In addition, the company delivers meals to Bentleyville Tour of Lights volunteers, and encourages staff to serve on boards such as the Y.M.C.A., Visit Duluth and The Canal Park Business Association.
Grandma’s Restaurant Company summarizes its greatest impacts as follows:
- Financial - contributions to the Northern Lights Foundation, which pays for a family’s hospitality while they are experiencing a medical need
- Emotional - hosting holiday parties with gifts at Adventure Zone Family Fun Center for children at Northwoods and Woodland Hills
- Personal - fundraisers for employees who have found themselves in need...the most gratifying because they are family
View Grandma's Restaurant Company's video:
Past Recipients of the Restaurant Neighbor Award:
- Pub 500 (2017)
- Bites Grill Bar (2016)
