The Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority (DDA), the Food Bank for Larimer County, and 50 participating downtown Fort Collins restaurants are thrilled to announce the 2023 Great Plates of Downtown TM fundraising total. This year’s promotion raised an unprecedented $152,382 in donations for the Food Bank!
Fifty downtown restaurants welcomed patrons to celebrate Great Plates of Downtown for an 18th consecutive year. From March 1 – 14, participating downtown restaurants offered up limited-time-only $25.00 menu specials and $2.50 a la carte items. After enjoying their meal, diners were encouraged to share a meal with a neighbor in need by donating directly to the Food Bank. One hundred percent of donation proceeds support the Food Bank’s mission to “Provide food to all in need through community partnerships and hunger-relief programs.”
As a community fundraiser, Great Plates of Downtown is an annual dining tradition highly anticipated by the restaurant community and patrons. Since forming a partnership with the Food Bank in 2008, donations have grown from a humble $7,360 raised by 29 participating businesses to an impressive $152,382 in 2023 with 50 participants. This year’s donation total was possible due to the hard work of participating restaurants, their staff, and the community’s donations.
“I’m not exaggerating when I say Rodizio Grill absolutely loves supporting those in need in the Northern Colorado community,” said Director of Operations of Choice City
Hospitality, LLC., and Rodizio Grill Fort Collins Co-Owner, JJ Streater. “We wouldn’t be able to raise such an incredible amount if it wasn’t for our loving staff, passionate about giving back. They can see that the passion resonates from owners down through management to them, bringing us together in a special way no other promotion does.
Great Plates of Downtown is 14 days of hard, high-volume restaurant work, and the staff really goes the extra mile to not only deliver an excellent experience to our guests but also rally when faced with the challenge of helping those in need. I’m proud, too, of our sister restaurant group: The Melting Pot Fort Collins, Social, and Union Bar & Soda Fountain, for joining us in raising a combined total of over $80,000 this year. Great job, everyone!”
For every $1 donated, the Food Bank can provide two meals’ worth of food. Over the last 15 years, Great Plates of Downtown has raised $1,157,328, allowing the Food Bank to continue pursuing its vision for “A hunger-free Larimer County.” For more information on the Food Bank for Larimer County, visit www.foodbanklarimer.org.
“What an incredible showing of support for the cause to fight hunger,” said Food Bank for Larimer County CEO Amy Pezzani. “We are so grateful for the hard work of the DDA, our amazing local restaurants, and for the generosity of our community for their donations. In 2022 alone, our services provided enough food to create 8.3 million meals for those facing food insecurity. We couldn’t provide this kind of outreach without the contributions of those in Larimer County.”
Regarding Food Bank donations collected, this year’s top five fundraising restaurants are:
Rodizio Grill, Social, The Melting Pot, Sonny Lubick Steakhouse, and Union Bar & Soda Fountain.
Additional thanks go to all of the 2023 Great Plates Participants:
Ace Gillett’s Lounge & Supper Club
Mugs Old Town
Austin’s American Grill
Old Town Churn Ice Cream
Beau Jo’s Colorado Style Pizza
Philippe French Bistro
Ben & Jerry’s
Pour Brothers
Big Al’s Burgers & Dogs
RARE Italian
Bistro Nautile
Restaurant 415
Blanchard Family Wines
Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant
Blue Agave Grill
Rodizio Grill
Butterfly Cafe
Silver Grill Cafe
Choice City Butcher & Deli
Social
Comet Chicken
Sonny Lubick Steakhouse
CooperSmith’s Pub & Brewing
STUFT a burger bar
CopperMuse Distillery
Tap and Handle
Crisp & Green
The Crooked Cup
Dae Gee Korean BBQ
The Emporium: An American Brasserie
FoCo Cafe
The Melting Pot
Ginger and Baker
The Regional
Illegal Pete’s The
Reserve by Old Elk Distillery
Jay’s Bistro
The Still Whiskey Steaks
La Piadina – Italian Flatbread Sandwiches
The Welsh Rabbit Bistro
Lima Coffee Roasters
Tom Kha Thai Asian Bistro
Locust Cider
Union Bar & Soda Fountain
LuLu Asian Bistro
Uno Mas Taqueria Y Cantina
Mary’s Mountain Cookies
Vatos Tacos & Tequila
Mugs at CSU
Walrus Ice Cream
About the Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority
Created in 1981, the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) uses tax increment financing to stimulate redevelopment in the central business district and focuses on
projects that have benefits for the entire community. In 2020, the DDA developed a Business Marketing Communications Program; this program continues and evolves
traditional promotions that add vibrancy and vitality to the downtown district.