Council on Aging is excited to announce our participation again this year in the Columbia Restaurant’s Community Harvest program. Throughout the month of September, diners can support COA simply by dining at any of the locations of the 1905 Family of Restaurants, including the Columbia Restaurant at 98 St. George Street in downtown St. Augustine, Florida.
Now in the 29th year, the company’s month-long Community Harvest program donates 5 percent of all diners’ checks to charities selected by the guests. Restaurant guests choose a charity from ballots provided with their checks. The restaurant calculates the 5 percent donation and provides the non-profit with gift certificates that can be used at any of the restaurants for up to 12 months. There is no additional cost to the guest.
“We are grateful to the Columbia Restaurant for this generous tradition and applaud their continued commitment to the communities they serve,” said Michelle Braun, Executive Director, St. Johns County Council on Aging. “We are honored to participate again in this year’s Community Harvest program.”
Over the last 28 years, this program has provided $4.8 million to Florida nonprofit organizations.
“During Columbia’s 121st anniversary celebration this year, I’m reminded that great restaurants are more than just places to eat; they’re part of the fabric of the community,” said 4th generation caretaker and president Richard Gonzmart. “I started this program to help many of the worthy non-profits so important to the people who live near our restaurants across Florida. The simple concept is to ‘Eat Well And Do Good.’ It’s a delicious way to help these organizations.”’
The original Columbia Restaurant was founded in Tampa’s Historic Ybor City in 1905 by Cuban immigrant Casimiro Hernandez, Sr., and is Florida’s oldest restaurant.
The seven Columbia locations include Ybor City in the historic district of Tampa, St. Armands Circle in Sarasota, historic district of St. Augustine, Sand Key on Clearwater Beach, Central Florida’s town of Celebration, the Columbia Cafe on the Riverwalk in downtown Tampa at the Tampa Bay History Center and the Columbia Restaurant Cafe at Tampa International Airport. Cha Cha Coconuts also is on St. Armands Circle in Sarasota. Ulele and Casa Santo Stefano are all in Tampa.
For reservations at the Columbia Restaurant in St. Augustine, visit their website at www.columbiarestaurant.com or call (904) 824-3341. For information on all of the 1905 Family of Restaurants participating in Community Harvest, please visit https://www.1905familyofrestaurants.com.