LM Restaurants aims to raise $100,000 for World Central Kitchen’s work in Ukraine

LM Restaurants aims to raise $100,000 for World Central Kitchen’s work in Ukraine

The Raleigh, N.C.-based hospitality management company aims to achieve the goal via events, guest donations and sales of a special Ukraine cocktail at 29 restaurants in July.

RALEIGH, N.C. (July 7, 2022) — LM Restaurants, a North Carolina-based hospitality management company known for Carolina Ale House and a dozen signature brand restaurants, has set a company-wide goal of raising $100,000 for World Central Kitchen by the end of July.

The company’s fundraising efforts kicked off June 23 with a Taste of Ukraine dinner at Vidrio restaurant, one of LM Restaurants’ signature brands in Raleigh. The event raised $10,000. Vidrio executive chef Saif Rahman, who had previously worked for World Central Kitchen, had reached out to LM Restaurants’ owners about hosting a Vidrio event and donating a portion of the proceeds to World Central Kitchen’s efforts to feed people displaced by the Russian war in Ukraine. LM Restaurant owners, husband-and-wife team, Lou and Joy Moshakos, and their daughter and company president, Amber, took the chef’s idea and doubled down, committing 100 percent of the Vidrio event ticket sales to World Central Kitchen and expanded the program across 29 of the company’s restaurants.

“LM Restaurants is a hospitality focused family and we work to nourish our community, day in and day out. We are excited for all of our restaurants to come together in a company-wide fundraising effort to support the people of Ukraine,” said Lou Moshakos. “We fully support and admire the work of World Central Kitchen, especially in Ukraine and the surrounding countries. Together, we can significantly impact our global community through food and hospitality.”

Amber Moshakos added: “My father is an immigrant from a small village in Greece. Growing up he heard his mother’s stories of WWII invasions. As a family and a company, we couldn’t sit by and do nothing – we are compelled to act now. Our mission is to feed our community, so partnering in a fundraiser for World Central Kitchen was the best way for us to feed the greater global community.”

Lou and Joy Moshakos founded the company in 1978 and its restaurants include Taverna Agora in Raleigh; a’Verde Cocina and Tequila Bar in Cary, N.C.; and Carolina Ale Houses throughout North and South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and Florida.

There are three ways the company is hoping to reach its goal:

• All month, 29 of the company’s restaurants will feature a special Ukraine Cocktail (image below) made with Ketel One Botanical Peach and Orange Blossom Vodka (Dutch vodka, not Russian), peach liqueur, fresh lemon juice, housemade simple syrup and fresh mint. The special cocktail costs $12 and 100 percent of the proceeds will be donated.
• Throughout July, guests will be invited to donate to World Central Kitchen by adding $5, $10, $20 or any amount to their restaurant check.
• Various LM Restaurants are offering special events, including:

• • The Carolina Ale House in Wake Forest will host a family-friendly event from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, July 9. The outdoor event will feature music and free life-size activities for children and adults, including Human Foosball and a 24-foot water slide. Hot dogs will be grilled outside near the games for guests to purchase. A portion of the proceeds will be donated. The restaurant is located at 11685 Northpark Dr., Wake Forest, N.C.
  • The Oceanic in Wrightsville Beach will host a Sunset Soiree on the Crystal Pier from 6-9 p.m. July 21. The event includes live music, hors d’oeuvres and a reception cocktail. Tickets cost $45 per person. One hundred percent of proceeds will be donated. Purchase tickets at https://bit.ly/Oceanicevent.
  • Details about other special events will be posted at lmrest.com/the-scoop/.

LM Restaurants is a hospitality management company with more than 30 restaurants throughout the Southeast. The Raleigh, N.C.-based company was started by Lou Moshakos in 1978 and includes the Carolina Ale House chain with more than 20 locations in North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Tennessee. The company also has 10 signature brands, including Vidrio and Taverna Agora in Raleigh, N.C.; A’verde Cocina & Tequila Library in Cary, N.C.; Bluewater Waterfront Grill and Oceanic in Wrightsville Beach, N.C.; Hops Supply Co. in Wilmington, N.C.; Oceanic Pompano Beach and Lucky Fish in Pompano Beach, Fla. For more information, visit LMRest.com.

ABOUT WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN

Founded in 2010 by Chef José Andrés, World Central Kitchen (WCK) is first to the frontlines, providing meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises while working to build resilient food systems with locally led solutions. WCK has served more than 70 million fresh meals to people impacted by natural disasters and other crises around the world. WCK’s Resilience Programs strengthen food and nutrition security by training chefs and school cooks; advancing clean cooking practices; and awarding grants to farms, fisheries, and small food businesses while also providing educational and networking opportunities. Learn more at wck.org.