“Nourishing Community” program to deliver holiday meals, toys to needy area families
Mandel School's innovative partnership with local restaurants fosters sense of community
December 21, 2004 | For more information: Jeff Bendix (216)-368-6070
 Some needy families in northeast Ohio will get holiday meals and gifts this year thanks to an innovative program involving a center at Case Western Reserve University and some local restaurants.
The program, “Nourishing Community: Local Restaurants Serving Local Families” represents a partnership between the Begun Center for Violence Research and Education – part of Case’s Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences – and the local chapter of the Council of Independent Restaurants of America.
“Nourishing Community” matches at-risk families with local independent restaurants. Employees at the restaurants purchase gifts and prepare holiday meals, which will be delivered December 23rd in time for Christmas. Families taking part in the program are selected by the Cuyahoga County Department of Children and Family Services and Jewish Family Services Association. (Meals were delivered to participating Jewish families the first night of Chanukah.)
“One of social work’s most important missions is to build communities by strengthening ties among individuals and institutions,” notes Mark Fleisher, professor and director of the Begun Center. “By bringing together local, independent restaurants with families in need, we believe we are helping to foster a sense of community while helping both the families and the restaurants involved.”
Last year, participating restaurants bought and delivered gifts for 154 children and 57 adult caregivers, and prepared meals for 50 families. This is the program’s second year.
The Begun Center was founded with a gift from Dr. Semi J. and Ruth W. Begun, scientists who immigrated to the United States from Germany in the early 1930s. Its goals are to form academic partnerships to research and analyze the causes and effects of violent behavior, create a system for identifying populations at risk for violent behavior, form networks among parents, educators and community groups to intervene in the cycle of violence and build on existing interventions and curricula that address social problems associated with youth violence.
(NOTE: A list of restaurants participating in this year’s Nourishing Community program is below. For information on participating families and meal preparation and delivery times, contact Michelle Champoir at the Begun Center at 216.368.5235)
- Battuto
- Beach Club Bistro
- Blue Point Grille
- Bruno’s
- Cabin Club
- Café Sausalito
- Chagrin Falls Popcorn Shop
- Corky and Lenny’s
- Delmonico’s
- Fat Cats
- Fire
- Flying Fig
- Fulton Bar and Grill
- Great Lakes Brewing Company
- John Q’s Steakhouse
- J. Pistone Market
- Lola Bistro
- Matsu
- Moxie
- Night Town
- One Walnut
- Pearl of the Orient
- Pickwick and Frolic
- Salmon Dave’s
- Sergio’s in University Circle
- Sweetwater Landing
- That Place on Bellflower
- Theory
- Tommy’s Restaurant on Coventry
- XO
About Case Western Reserve University
Case is among the nation's leading research institutions. Founded in 1826
and shaped by the unique merger of the Case Institute of Technology and Western
Reserve University, Case is distinguished by its strengths in education, research,
service, and experiential learning. Located in Cleveland, Case offers nationally
recognized programs in the Arts and Sciences, Dental Medicine, Engineering,
Law, Management, Medicine, Nursing, and Social Work. http://www.case.edu.
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