Pasadena restaurants come together to help restock local food pantries

PASADENA (KTRK) -- The City of Pasadena is encouraging everyone in the community to dine out to help out! This year, 11 Pasadena restaurants have teamed up to host fundraisers in support of the annual Can Do Food Drive.

Every weekday during the two-week period of Oct. 17-Oct. 28, a participating restaurant will donate a portion of that day's sales when customers mention the food drive. The schedule of restaurants is as follows:

Monday, Oct. 17: Savannah Café & Bakery (5968 Fairmont) from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 18: Bubba's 33 (3221 E. Sam Houston Pkwy. S) from 11 a.m. to midnight

Wednesday, Oct. 19: (two restaurants this day) Pappa Yolk's Grill (5824 Spencer) from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. Chipotle (5759 Fairmont) from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 20: Casa Ole (4108 Spencer) from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 21: Ernie's Café (1860 E. Sam Houston Pkwy. S) from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 24: Willie's (3481 E. Sam Houston Pkwy. S) from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 25: Raising Cane's (5107 Fairmont) from 10 a.m. to midnight

Wednesday, Oct. 26: Monterey's (2828 Southmore) from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 27: Peter Piper Pizza (3471 E. Sam Houston Pkwy. S) from 4-9 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 28: Chick-fil-A (5104 Fairmont) from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The Can Do Food Drive is an annual event hosted by the City of Pasadena, the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and Pasadena Independent School District. Held each November, the food drive collects non-perishable food for five Pasadena food pantries: Pasadena Community Ministries, Salvation Army, Sarah's House, The Bridge and Society of St. Stephen (food pantry at First United Methodist Church).

The food collected each year helps feed thousands of Pasadena families in need. Last year, more than 40,000 lbs. of food was donated at the event and this year, event organizers are hoping to surpass the 50,000 lb. mark.

The restaurant fundraisers will run on weekdays from Oct. 17 through Oct. 28. The Can Do Food Drive will be held on Thursday, Nov. 17 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Stadium (2906 Dabney). For more information on the restaurant fundraisers for the Can Do Food Drive or about the food drive itself, visit www.ci.pasadena.tx.us