SoDel Concepts raises $101K for SoDel Cares philanthropy

Bluecoast Seafood Grill server Mariah Dineen delivers a meal to dine-in guests. On Giving Tuesday, 100 percent of the proceeds from dine-in and carryout sales benefitted SoDel Cares, the philanthropic arm of SoDel Concepts. SUBMITTED PHOTOS

SoDel Concepts, a Rehoboth Beach-based hospitality group, raised $101,045 on Dec. 1 for SoDel Cares, the company’s philanthropic arm.

On that day, which was Giving Tuesday, 100 percent of the proceeds of the 12 restaurants’ in-house and carryout sales went to the charity, which helps local organizations assisting children, the elderly, and at-risk youth and adults in southern Delaware communities.

SoDel Concepts team members packaging takeout are (l-r) Caroline Jaeger, Alison Palmer and Mariah Dineen. On Dec. 1, Bluecoast Seafood Grill in Rehoboth and 11 other restaurants donated 100 percent of carryout and dine-in sales to SoDel Cares.

“We couldn’t hold our annual fundraising event this year, but we were determined to raise funds,” said Scott Kammerer, president of SoDel Concepts and founder of SoDel Cares. 

“Now more than ever, charities are coming to the aid of people in desperate need of help. With our customers’ support, we used our restaurants as fundraising vehicles, a technique that worked so well in spring when we raised money for the Beebe Healthcare COVID-19 Relief Fund,” he said.

SoDel Cares received matching sponsorships from generous individuals and organizations, including the Matt Haley Trust, Alan Levin, Mike Meibaum Excavating and Tito’s Handmade Vodka.

The fundraiser also included the online sales of wine and liquor donated by: Southern Glazers Wine and Spirits, Sagamore Spirits, Vintage Imports, Bacchus Importers, WineBow, Sussex Wine Merchants, Donati Family Vineyards, and Breakthru Beverage Group.

SoDel Cares’ 2019 grant recipients included Meals on Wheels Lewes-Rehoboth, Harry K Foundation, Food Bank of Delaware, Community Resource Center, Read Aloud Delaware, Rehoboth Beach Boys & Girls Club, Pathways to Success, Cape Henlopen Food Basket, Cape Henlopen Educational Foundation, Delaware Adolescent Program Inc., Fresh Start Scholarship Fund, Primeros Pasos, and West Side New Beginnings.

Each year, SoDel Cares accepts grant applications from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31. Grants are distributed the following February. To apply, go to sodelcares.com.