Eat out for a good cause

Share-A-Meal on April 12 supports local organizations

GUESTWORK | Ann Ford

Would you rather attend a stuffy fundraising dinner with a group of people you don’t know, or enjoy a delicious meal with family and friends at a great restaurant of your choice and still support very important causes? With Share- A-Meal, you not only will have a wonderful meal with people you enjoy but also support 13 local charities in Sangamon County.

The Eighth Annual Share-A-Meal with Community Shares will be held at 11 restaurants in Springfield on Tuesday, April 12. The event is sponsored by Community Shares of Illinois, a nonprofit organization representing more than 78 charities statewide.

The participating restaurants in Springfield will donate a percentage of their meal proceeds to Community Shares of Illinois and its Springfield member organizations.

Participating restaurants in Springfield include two platinum-level sponsors:

Maldaner’s – 222 South 6th Street (lunch and dinner) Augie’s Front Burner – 2 West Old Capitol Plaza (lunch and dinner). Featuring their Tuesday night special: 50 percent off of bottles of wine And nine gold and silver-level sponsors:

Aztca Mexican Grill – 2752 Chatham Road (lunch and dinner) Cafe Moxo – 411 East Adams (breakfast and lunch) Caitie Girl’s – 400 East Jefferson (lunch and dinner) Centrum Café – 1370 Toronto Road (breakhast, lunch and dinner) Holy Land Diner – Vinegar Hill Mall (lunch) Mariah’s – 3317 Robbins Lane (lunch and dinner) Sgt. Peppers Café – 3141 Baker Drive(breakfast, lunch and dinner) Tai Pan – 2636 Stevenson Drive; (dinner) ZBistro – 220 South Sixth Street (breakfast, lunch and dinner) These generous businesses are showing their support. We would like to fill them on April 12 with fellow Springfielders who will show theirs as well. Take your pick, enjoy a good meal and good company, and, just by doing this, give to those who need you!

Community Shares of Illinois represents more than 78 organizations working to make our state a better place to live. These organizations work to improve the quality of life in Illinois by addressing a wide range of issues including affordable housing, health care, the environment and civil rights, as well as other issues affecting women, children, people of color, working families, people with disabilities and the poor. Of the 78 charities, 13 are located in the Springfield area. They are:

Abraham Lincoln Memorial Gardens, Animal Protective League, Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities in Illinois, Illinois Assistive Technology Program, Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living, Illinois NOW Legal and Education Fund, Illinois State Museum Society, Illinois Stewardship Alliance, Operation Snowball, Parent Place, Prevention First, The Springfield Project, and WUIS Radio Information Service.

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