Sunnyside Restaurant Group’s commitment to family values is reflected not only in our company culture, but in the many charitable organizations we support. From culinary diplomacy to food security, global poverty to children’s welfare,
we feel a responsibility to use our voices to help make the world a better place.
THE CULINARY DIPLOMACY PROJECT
The Culinary Diplomacy Project is a chef-driven organization that sends prominent chefs to destinations around the world as representatives of American culture and cuisine. Micheline met Lauren Bernstein, Founder of CDP years ago. Together, they have worked on promoting cross- cultural understanding through shared meals. Micheline had the incredible opportunity of traveling to Jordan with celebrity Chefs to learn about a different culture and share ours through food. We look forward to many more trips and opportunities to bring American culture abroad, while also being educated on others customs and traditions.
DC CENTRAL KITCHEN
We met the extraordinary people at DCCK years before we opened our first restaurant. Their mission to end hunger differently is why Micheline became involved - volunteering to cut, slice and dice in their kitchen to help feed homeless people throughout the city. As the years passed and our involvement grew, Micheline became a Board Member and Spike cohosts the Annual DCCK Food Fight alongside Chef Jose Andres. DCCK does incredible work to help feed their community in need and their innovative social impact engagement has been revered around the world as a model example of what an organization, made up of caring people, can do to change the world.
CARE
Founded in 1945, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. Spike has traveled with them to Mozambique and Peru to learn about small farmers and how communities work with food for their livelihoods. CARE places special focus on working alongside girls and women in poverty because, equipped with the proper resources, they have the power to lift whole families and entire communities out of poverty. Last year, CARE worked in more than 80 countries and reached more than 90 million people around the world.
Michael Mosier Defeat DIPG Foundation
We have been great friends with the Mosier Family, Mark, Jenny, Michael, and Lila, for a very long time. Micheline went to graduate school with Jenny’s first cousin, Rita, and the families all ended up living in the area, getting together often for holidays and birthday parties. We were devastated to find out their son, Michael, was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a very rare tumor in the brain stem, when he was 6 years old and unfortunately passed away months later. The Mosier's began The Michael Mosier Defeat DIPG Foundation, in honor of their son, and we are grateful to be able to support them in their efforts to help eradicate DIPG.
ST JUDE'S CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL
The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Catherine's father, Sunny, was a supporter of St. Jude's and she has continued, with Harvey, to participate and fund their mission. Spike and Micheline are involved in events in DC through cooking events. Consistent with the vision of their founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family's ability to pay.
FOOD RESCUE U.S.
Since 2011, food rescuers have delivered more than 36 million fresh and healthy meals to people who don’t have enough to eat. The Mendelsohn family were approached by a lovely and enthusiastic Kate Urbank, who began the DC Chapter of Food Rescue. Our We, The Pizzas' have been donating pizzas nightly and Good Stuff Eatery has been making sandwiches for those in need during the pandemic. Food Rescue is a national volunteer organization that uses an app to connect businesses that have excess usable food with hunger relief agencies.
WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN
Our family met José Andrés when we first arrived in Washington, DC and were preparing to open our restaurant. Chef Andres has been a mentor and dear friend from the moment we opened our doors at Good Stuff Eatery and has guided us in many other endeavors around the city and the world. He has truly been with us through the process of our growth in the city and is an inspiration to watch achieve so much success in helping feed the world. Working together, we provided meals during the government shutdown of 2018 and the Covid-19 pandemic.
PLANT A BILLION
We plant a tree a day. One dollar. One Tree. One Planet.This project began when we opened our first concept, Good Stuff Eatery, over 10 years ago. We wanted to give back to the community in a way that customers and friends could participate. This project involves planting and restoring thousands of trees within Brazil’s Caraíva River Basin and along the Frades River. By going to the website you can join us in making this commitment to remove 12 tons of carbon dioxide per 2.4 acres, per year.
LES DAMES D’ESCOFFIER
Catherine and Micheline are both members of this prestigious organization in Washington, DC. Les Dames D'Escoffier is a culinary leadership organization composed of women who have not only achieved success in their profession, but who contribute significantly to their communities. Its mission is to elevate the profession through mentoring members and helping worthy students succeed in their culinary careers.