“Make Caring the NORM!” – an initiative to fight hunger in local communities
This month, NORMS, a SoCal family dining tradition since 1949, celebrates their annual hunger-fighting promotion, “Make Caring the NORM” in partnership with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, and Feeding America Riverside/San Bernardino. From August 6 through September 3, 2018, NORMS will reward their guests with $50 in savings for each $3 donation to these three local food banks. They will be able to redeem these savings through October 2018. Each donation provides numerous meals for those who are “food insecure” in LA County, Orange County, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. These contributions will make the most impact on seniors and children who are the most vulnerable. What’s more, 100% of the proceeds from these donations will be presented to the three regional food banks.
Last year, NORMS donated more than $25,000 to the cause which translated to 100,928 meals in local communities. “This year, NORMS hopes to greatly increase our donation to fight hunger with this new offer and we invite all guests to help us support this important cause,” NORMS President, Mike Colonna, said. “We understand that the issue of hunger and food insecurity affects too many people within our communities. We are privileged to support all three of these organizations and their exceptional work for our communities via our ‘Make Caring the NORM’ initiative.”
NORMS believes in supporting organizations dedicated to improving food insecurities in the SoCal community and initiated the program, “Make Caring the NORM” in 2015. This program is designed to bring greater public awareness of many Southern Californians’ food insecurity, and raise much-needed funds that will provide meals for the hungry. For more information, please visit: https://normsrestaurants.com/make-caring-the-norm/.
NORMS Restaurants made its debut in 1949 near the famed corner of Hollywood and Vine. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for breakfast, lunch, dinner and everything in between, NORMS is a casual dining SoCal tradition with locations throughout Southern California. NORMS restaurants are as well known for their iconic Googie architecture as they are for great service, great food and great value. Along with consistent, friendly service and a welcoming environment, NORMS is committed to exceptional quality food, scratch-made recipes, generous portions and affordable pricing. For more information, visit https://normsrestaurants.com/make-caring-the-norm/.
Founded in 2005, CapitalSpring is a private investment firm focused exclusively on the restaurant industry. The Firm currently manages assets of approximately $1.3 billion and has completed investments in over 50 different restaurant brands and more than 4,000 restaurant locations. CapitalSpring focuses on supporting proven restaurant operators with a range of structured credit and private equity solutions and has offices in Nashville, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and New York. For more information about CapitalSpring, please visit www.capitalspring.com.
For 44 years, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank has worked to mobilize resources in the community to alleviate hunger. It provides food to more than 300,000 clients on a monthly basis and, in 2016, distributed 67 million pounds of food, the equivalent of 55 million meals. The Food Bank collects food from hundreds of resources, which it distributes through a network of 625 partner agencies throughout Los Angeles County. With the help of more than 30,000 volunteers annually, 97 percent of all revenues go directly to programs. The Food Bank’s efficiency and effectiveness led to a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, and LA Business Journal named the Food Bank as the “Nonprofit Organization of the Year” among large local organizations in 2013. In November 2016, the Food Bank distributed its 1 billionth meal since its inception in 1973. For more information or to get involved, visit lafoodbank.org.
“Continued financial support from NORMS Restaurants and their guests has a significant impact for those we serve. The Food Bank is able to turn every dollar donated into four nutritious meals for our neighbors in need.”
Michael Flood
CEO, Los Angeles Regional Food Bank CEO
Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County is the largest nonprofit hunger relief organization in Orange County leading the fight to end hunger in our community. Second Harvest distributes donated, purchased and prepared foods through a network of 180 partner agencies in hundreds of locations throughout the county. Last year, Second Harvest provided enough food for more than 20.1 million meals, feeding more than 200,000 people each month. Every dollar donated to Second Harvest provides enough food for three meals for the hungry. Second Harvest is a member of Feeding America, a national hunger relief organization. For more information about our work and how you can help visit FeedOC.org.
“We are so grateful for NORMS’ partnership. With more than 301,000 people, including 1 in 6 children, in Orange County at risk of missing meals, it is more important than ever to join together to end hunger in our community.”
Nicole Suydam
CEO, Second Harvest Food Bank
Feeding America Riverside/San Bernardino Counties began in 1980 as Survive Food Bank in response to the increasing concern about the dual problems of hunger and food waste in the Inland Empire. In 1980, Survive Food Bank provided an average of 10,000 pounds of food per month to 20 partnered nonprofit organizations. Presently Feeding America Riverside/San Bernardino Counties is the primary source of food for over 600 charities and nonprofit organizations, distributing over 2.5 million pounds of food monthly to emergency food pantries, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, day care centers, halfway houses, senior food programs, residential treatment centers, shelters for the abused, after school programs and group homes. More than 400,000 men, women and children each month rely on the food bank’s distribution center to make ends meet. For more information about this Food Bank visit https://www.feedingie.org.
“Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino (FARSB) is excited, to once again, partner with NORMS Restaurants, to help combat the issue of hunger in our region. With 1 in 4 in the Inland Empire suffering from food insecurity, this partnership will have a positive impact on many people in our community. We are thankful to NORMS for their commitment to ending hunger in the Inland Empire.”
Stephanie Otero
President & CEO, Feeding America Riverside/San Bernardino
