Beneficiaries

The Columbus Food & Wine Affair Mission:  To provide education and event venues that increase visibility and awareness of the hospitality industry and raise funds for vital charities that help support our regional community. 

 

Highlights of the Industry

This hospitality Industry is  a driving force in the state's economy.  The sales generate tremendous tax revenues while  providing jobs and building careers for thousands of people.  In addition, restaurants give back to their communities and are working to reduce their carbon footprint on the environment.

 

The National Statistics

• The restaurant industry continues to be one of the nation's larget private sector employers, employing 12.7 million people
• Restaurant industry sales on a typical day in 2010 total $1.6 billion: $580 billion in a year.
• In 2008, the average household spent $2,689 for food away from home.
• 40 percent of adults agree that purchasing meals from restaurants, take-out and delivery makes them more productive during the day.
• 57 percent of adults say they are likely to make a restaurant choice based on how much a restaurant supports charitable activities in the community.

State of Ohio

• For 2010, Ohio restaurants projected at register $17 billion in sales.
• Every $1 spent in Ohio restaurants generates an additional $1.14 in sales for the state's economy.
• Every extra $1 million spent in Ohio's eating and drinking places generates an additional 32.1 jobs in the state.
• 9 out of 10 Central Ohio restaurants take part in charitable activities and charitable giving.

Since the first Columbus Food & Wine Affair in September, 2003, it has been the vision of its founders to support and give back to the Columbus community.  While providing maximum benefits to our partners, the Columbus Food & Wine Affair has supported such deserving charities as the WBNS-10TV Family Fund, the Central Ohio Restaurant Association Education and Scholarship Fund, the Ian Adams Van Heyde Memorial Scholarship Fund, and the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital.

 

To date, the Columbus Food & Wine Affair has raised more than $350,000 for participating charities.

 

Beginning in 2009, all funds were distributed to select charities by the newly established Central Ohio Restaurant Association Foundation, through The Columbus Foundation. This Foundation will guide future distributions to insure both impact and accountability of the funds raised.

 

The Central Ohio Restaurant Association Foundation Mission: 

• Support efforts to help people enter and thrive in the restaurant industry
• Provide food to the regional community 

 GOALS of the Central Ohio Restaurant Association Foundation:

• Establish accountability for giving
• Establish accountabilitiy and reporting for fund recipients
• Develop giving process to the CORA Foundation
• Gain recognition for philanthropic efforts of our industry

For more information, contact the Central Ohio Restaurant Assocation, Bob Himes at cora@centralohiorestaurants.com.

 

FOUNDERS - The Columbus Food & Wine Affair

Greg Maurer     Heidelberg Distributing

David Miller       Cameron Mitchell Restaurants

Gail Baker         Community Enthusiast

 

ADVISORY BOARD - The Central Ohio Restaurant Association Foundation

CHAIR

Robert Himes     Himes Vending

 

Michael O' Dell, Wells Fargo Advisors

Jim Merchant, Bob Evans Farms Restaurants

Mark Swanson, Stauf's/Cup O' Joe, MoJoe Lounge

Randy Sokol, Restaurant Consultants, Inc.

Jeff Rains, Breads of the World LLC - Panera Bread

Bonnie Brannigan, Spark Strategy Group

Michael Haunert, Sysco

Lenni Mail, i-design media

Thom Coffman, The Clarmont Restaurant

 

Following are the local charities that have benefited from the Columbus Food & Wine Affair.  Click on each organization icon to find out more on how each is helping Central Ohio residents in need.