The initiative, led this year by 17-year-old Charles Lentz, asks participating restaurants to donate $1 from the sale of designated menu items through Oct. 15.
More than a dozen Southern California restaurants are participating in a fundraising campaign this summer benefiting pediatric cancer research through Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.
The initiative, part of the annual L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade Kids’ Campaign, asks participating restaurants to donate $1 from the sale of designated menu items through Oct. 15. The campaign is led this year by 17-year-old Charles Lentz, the son of chefs Suzanne Goin and David Lentz.
According to organizers, the Kids’ Campaign has raised more than $550,000 for childhood cancer research over the past decade by encouraging children and families to host lemonade stands and online fundraisers inspired by Alexandra “Alex” Scott, who began raising money for cancer research while battling the disease herself. Scott died in 2004 at age 8.
Restaurants participating in the chef sponsorship program include Providence, A.O.C., Charcoal, Citrin, Redbird, Pizzeria Mozza, Night + Market, Dear John, Jar, Cara Cara, Valerie Confections and Big Bar in Los Angeles, along with Bell’s in Los Alamos, The Hitching Post 2 in Buellton and Lucky Penny in Santa Barbara, among others.
Featured fundraising items vary by restaurant. Providence will contribute $1 from each tasting menu sold, while Pizzeria Mozza will donate from sales of its mixed berry gelato pie. Other participating restaurants have designated menu items ranging from burgers and salads to cocktails and desserts.
Lentz said he hopes the campaign will expand participation this year while supporting research into childhood cancers.
“Seeing so many chefs come together to support this cause has been incredibly inspiring,” Lentz said in a statement released by organizers. “It shows how food can unite a community around something bigger than ourselves.”
The restaurant campaign complements the Kids’ Campaign’s traditional lemonade stand program, which invites children to raise money through neighborhood stands and online fundraising pages. Organizers said participants who raise at least $300 receive a complimentary adult ticket to the L.A. Loves Alex’s Lemonade culinary fundraiser, scheduled for Oct. 4.
Organizers also said the World Gold Council has pledged to match public donations to the Kids’ Campaign, up to $20,000.
