What makes a good restaurant even better? When it supports a great cause. Whether it's charitable giving, or being inclusive of differently abled people, here is just a sampling of Houston restaurants and food businesses doing great things in our community.
Camp for All
Camp For All has worked hard to provide barrier-free experiences that empower and transform the world for children and adults with challenging illnesses or special needs for over 30 years. They offer unique barrier-free experiences with multiple not-for-profit organizations to help thousands of campers and their families experience the joy of camp.
"Our 30th anniversary will celebrate the magic of Camp For All and how it transforms the world for children and adults with challenging illnesses or special needs," said Pat Prior Sorrells, Camp For All President and CEO. "Over the years, we've had the opportunity to transform more than 175,000 lives by providing proven life-changing Camp experiences with a passionate and professional staff, cutting-edge facilities and innovative programming," said Sorrells. "Our supporters and community have been the backbone of the organization and the reason we get to live out our mission every day."
"Our 30th anniversary will celebrate the magic of Camp For All and how it transforms the world for children and adults with challenging illnesses or special needs," said Pat Prior Sorrells, Camp For All President and CEO.
Rocambolesc
Open for five months in Uptown Park, Rocambolesc is a dessert/coffee shop developed by world-renowned Spanish restaurateurs and owners of El Cella De Can Roca - a three Michelin-star restaurant in Spain. The Roca brothers, Joan, Josep and Jordi, partnered with husband and wife team, Isabal and Nacho Torres and chef Roger Luis Roger of BCN and MAD. Together they created the first Rocambolesc in the United States as a public benefit corporation to help those with Intellectual or developmental disabilities.
"We have two godsons on the spectrum, and as with many parents, their main concern is what kind of purpose their kids will have in the future," says Maria Isabel Torras. "For that reason, we decided to do more than simply give a financial contribution. We decided to help those with IDD through our restaurant and embrace our godson's dream of a fulfilling professional future."
Rocambolesc serves Willy Wonka-style gelato, popsicles, truffles, and panet - a brioche filled with gelato and toppings.
Jonathan’s The Rub Memorial Green
After hearing about the war in Ukraine, Jonathan Levine, owner and chef of two Jonathan's the Rub locations, knew he wanted to do something to help the people of Ukraine. He decided to host a one-time dinner and add a special menu during August that would benefit Daar Charitable Foundation. The dinner and special menu raised over $92,000 for relief efforts. Sam Levine, Jonathan's son and manager of the Campbell Place location, admitted that hearing about the war was a pivotal moment for his dad.
"We have family from Ukraine — we are of the people of Ukraine," said Jonathan. "It's natural for me, and we wanted to do something to support. We have been able to buy three huge cargo vans full of first-aid supplies and bulletproof vests from Poland and have them transported into Ukraine."
“The fact that a little restaurant here in Houston, Texas, and our amazing guests were able to help a war-torn country is pretty monumental.” Sam Levine, General Manager of Campbell Place Jonathan’s the Rub.
Howdy Homemade Ice Cream
Howdy Ice Cream in Katy recently celebrated its first anniversary. Owners Roderick Batson and Billboard Change Maker Award winner Trae Tha Truth started the Katy franchise with the vision of employing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
"Since we opened in 2021, we have employed 28 differently-abled individuals. Every day they are coached on soft skills and pushed to reach their fullest potential," says store manager Dana Gatson. "Our goal is to show the community that our employees are just as capable of maintaining a job as anyone else."
Customers can choose from 18 flavors with a rotating stock of seasonal flavors. Howdy Homemade Ice Cream also provides catering and event services.
A 2nd Cup
Erica Ragget, the founder of A 2nd Cup, learned about human trafficking in 2011 and knew she wanted to help and spread awareness. She started her pop up coffee shop to educate customers about human trafficking within the city, work with allies and uplift survivors through aftercare. In 2015, her dreams of a non-profit brick-and-mortar location came true in The Heights neighborhood.
"The idea of human trafficking is overwhelming, and it's easy to be like 'Oh, that's too much, I can't even dip my toe into it,' so we wanted to make that process easier for people," Raggett said.
Customers can now learn about human trafficking by reading material in the shop and by reading the walls, which are covered with statistics and anti-trafficking messages.
