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Giovanni Cassano said that mental health is a cause that resonates with his clients.
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Walkerville’s Ortona Cafe and Panino is among 15 restaurants participating in this year’s Meals for Mental Health in support of Maryvale, which provides mental health services for children and youth.
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“Everyone has a family member or friend who needs mental health help and it’s good to encourage them to reach out for help if they need it,” Cassano said Saturday as the campaign kicked off.
The campaign is led by Stigma Enigma, a group of local volunteers who raise money for Maryvale and work to increase awareness and understanding of mental health needs in Windsor and Essex County.
From now until November 12, customers can make donations when they pay for their food at various participating restaurants in Windsor and Essex counties, for takeout, delivery or dine-in.
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Every donation of $5 or more will be entered into a drawing for prizes including a 70-inch television, and charity receipts will be issued for donations of $20 or more.
Maryvale is an accredited, non-profit center for adolescent mental health and wellness, serving youth ages 12-18.
With Ortona participating in Meals for Mental Health for the third year, Cassano said she thinks this particular cause resonates with her customers and sees the proof in the donations that pour in during the campaign.
“This particular charity, a lot of people donate and help contribute because they realize over the years that mental illness is a big concern in Canada,” he said.
The campaign was launched with a $5,000 donation from partner Enwin, while 20 local Tim Hortons restaurants, also partners in Meals for Mental Health, will participate.
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Stigma Enigma and Maryvale said they are asking people planning to dine out this week to consider one of their local participating restaurants to support Maryvale.
Participating restaurants include: Vittorio’s Trattoria (Forest Glade), Armando’s Pizza (Riverside Dr.), Pomegranate (Windsor), Mezzo Ristorante (Windsor), Koma Restaurant (Windsor), Eddy’s Mediterranean Bistro (Windsor), Tabouli by Eddy’s (Tecumseh) , Fourteen Restaurant (Windsor), Franco’s Restaurant (Windsor), Copper Branch (Windsor), Vito Pizzeria (Windsor), Kildare House (Windsor), Ortona Café & Panino (Windsor), Factory House (Windsor) and Elite Restaurant (Kingsville) .
Find more information or make a donation online at stigmaenigma.ca/event/meals-for-mental-health-m4mh-2022/
