Fall New Haven Restaurant Week Raises $14,742
for the Connecticut Food Bank
Restaurant Community and First Niagara Partnered for Charitable Component
NEW HAVEN, CONN., December 15, 2015 – The recent fall installment of New Haven Restaurant Week presented by First Niagara raised $14,742 for the Connecticut Food Bank, Market New Haven
announced today. Food lovers from across the region came out in droves to support the event, which
ran from November 1-6 and netted $9,742 worth of donations from New Haven restaurant patrons.
Presenting sponsor, First Niagara, made a generous donation of $2,500 to kick off the week, then
donated an additional $2,500 (as part of its efforts) to match contributions from Restaurant Week
participants.
“We were thrilled to see so many restaurant patrons not only support New Haven eateries during New
Haven Restaurant Week but also donate to this great cause supporting the Connecticut Food Bank,”
commented Anne Worcester, Chief Marketing Officer for Market New Haven. “Sincere thanks to all who
dined and donated for our local community. We also thank First Niagara and the Connecticut Food Bank
for being such good partners and their invaluable contributions towards making this New Haven
Restaurant Week initiative to benefit the Connecticut Food Bank a rousing success.”
Twenty-seven of the city’s most well-known restaurants participated in the 15th installment of New
Haven Restaurant Week, which offered a special three-course, prix fixe menu for both lunch and dinner as well as the opportunity for patrons to donate $1 to the Connecticut Food Bank, where $1 helps to feed one person for a day. Restaurants leading the fundraising challenge to benefit the Connecticut Food Bank were: Goodfellas, L’Orcio, Zinc and Olea.
“More than 29,000 meals will be provided because of the public’s generosity channeled through New
Haven Restaurant Week,” said Connecticut Food Bank Interim CEO Paul O’Leary. “Thanks to New
Haven’s great restaurants, the many diners who contributed and to First Niagara for their generous
match of contributions.”
“Hunger in our community is an issue we all can help address,” said Jeff Hubbard New England Regional
President, First Niagara. “We were proud to lend our support to the fundraising effort, and are pleased
with the overwhelming response received from participating restaurants and patrons.”
In photo at top of page: Check presentation to the Connecticut Food Bank. Appearing from left to right: Jeff Hubbard (First Niagara), Karen Crane (First Niagara), Michael Davidow (Connecticut Food Bank), Gerry Iannaccone (Goodfellas Restaurant), Andrea Coppla (Goodfellas Restaurant), Eddie Lavorgna (Basta Trattoria), Anne Worcester (Market New Haven) and Bradley Hardy (First Niagara).
About Market New Haven: Market New Haven supports jobs and taxes in New Haven through
promotion of the City’s thriving dining, shopping, arts, culture and events scene, with a view towards
bringing in visitors to generate economic activity.
Market New Haven is a public/private partnership among the City of New Haven, Mayor Toni N. Harp
and the Board of Alders, Yale University, Yale-New Haven Hospital and the local business community.
Local business community funders include: First Niagara, Knights of Columbus, The United Illuminating
Company, Southern Connecticut Gas, Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale, The Study at Yale, Anthem Blue
Cross Blue Shield, Technolutions and People’s United Bank.
About New Haven: A vibrant destination whose deep-rooted history has coined it the “Cultural Capital of Connecticut,” New Haven is enjoying renewed fervor. Famed historic sites host lively year-round concerts and events. Acclaimed internationally diverse restaurants, eclectic shopping, cultural
adventures and sophisticated nightlife add to the destination’s urban renaissance and dynamic pulse.
Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with #NHV.
###