Last year, The Food Liaison hosted their first Christmas in July, a week-long fund- and awareness-raising event to benefit community organizations in Carpinteria. Nirasha and Jason Rodriguez, owners of The Food Liaison, wanted to honor and carryon the philanthropic legacy of Michael Towbes. The event raised nearly $40,000 for diverse non-profits.
This year’s Christmas in July event will raise funds and awareness for the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, a group essential to the rescue efforts after the mudslides in Montecito. The Search Dog Foundation is located in Santa Paula and experienced severe loss to their facilities during the Thomas Fire. “In sharing all the reasons the Search Dog Foundation needs our help, it would require writing several pages to give even just a brief explanation,” wrote Jason, “as the work they do has been witnessed around the world in the aftermath of disasters of all types. Something special about the Search Dog Foundation is that they take rescued dogs and train them to be the rescuer.”
During Christmas in July, The Food Liaison will donate 50 percent of their counter sales and 100 percent of tips, raffle and donation station proceeds. For each day of the week, a different company or organization—LinkedIn, BEGA, Bottenfield Construction, CARP Growers and The Berry Man—will match the donation made by The Food Liaison in lunch counter sales, doubling the fundraising potential.
Additionally, Procore and Southern California Edison have teamed up to create the Donation Station within the restaurant that will display a photo gallery of the Search Dog Foundation and an iPad for customers to donate online. SCE will match up to $1,000 a day for money raised at the Donation Station. The individual who gives the largest online donation will win a VIP Tour and TFL BBQ for 10 at the Search Dog Foundation National Training Center. Donations can also be made online at TheFoodLiaison.com.
vent raffle prizes have been donated by Sonos, Impact Hub and Gonzo’s Cycles, among other businesses. 100 percent of raffle proceeds will be donated to the Search Dog Foundation.
Search Dog Foundation staff will be present at the event to speak about the foundation and their dogs throughout the week.
