Buyers Guide
Four Nebraska restaurants have been selected as state winners of the 2010 Restaurant Neighbor Award that rewards community service and are now in the running for the prestigious national award. The Restaurant Neighbor Award was created by the National Restaurant Association to recognize restaurants that exemplify the industry’s philanthropic spirit.The Nebraska winners are Runza Restaurants, daVinci’s, Grandmother’s and Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill/Fireworks.
“We are proud to recognize these outstanding winners of the 2010 Restaurant Neighbor Award,” said Nebraska Restaurant Association Executive Director, Jim Partington. “Nebraska’s restaurants serve their communities every day by providing excellent food, enhancing quality of life, advancing opportunities for young people, and providing enjoyment to thousands of customers and visitors to Nebraska. Restaurants are not only good neighbors but important contributors to our state’s health and prosperity.”
Runza Restaurants partnered with TeamMates Mentoring Program. TeamMates works with school systems, administrators and teachers to identify at-risk children and teens and teaming them up with an adult mentor. Runza Restaurants donated 10% of their entire chain sales on March 30, 2010 to TeamMates.
daVinci’s has been committed to serving low-income families in the community through their annual Free Easter Dinner. Over the past 26 years, daVinci’s estimates that over 20,000 meals have been served to the people in Lincoln.
Grandmother’s CEO and President, Dean Rasmussen, started The Project Harmony Golf Tournament in 1995. Project Harmony is a nonprofit agency whose mission is to respond to the abuse of children. Their collaborative, child-focused approach ensures that children are not further victimized by the systems intended to protect them.
Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill/Fireworks designated the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation as its official charity. Over the past 10 years, Lazlo’s Restaurants have raised $300,000 for the foundation by sponsoring various fundraisers and giving guests the opportunity to donate.
A panel of industry leaders will select four national award recipients from the winners of participating states. The national winners of the 2010 Restaurant Neighbor Award will each receive a $5,000 contribution to continue their community programs. Both national and state winners will be recognized on the National Restaurant Association website.
For more information and to apply for the 2011 award, visit www.restaurant.org/community.
