Orlando Dining Program Shatters Records for Charity in 2024

News Summary

The Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining event has raised an unprecedented $352,218 for local charities in 2024, marking a 30% increase from the previous year. The program showcased over 150 restaurants, contributing to local causes while providing diners with unique culinary experiences. Notably, The Mustard Seed of Central Florida was the main beneficiary, reflecting Orlando’s commitment to community support and sustainability. With a total fundraising since 2009 reaching $2.9 million, this year’s event not only celebrated food but also the generous spirit of the Orlando community.

Orlando Dining Program Shatters Records for Charity in 2024

Orlando, the heart of Central Florida, is buzzing with excitement as the Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining event has just wrapped up, raising an incredible $352,218 for local charities. This is a remarkable feat, marking a sensational 30% increase from last year’s figure. More than just a dining experience, this initiative represents a beacon of hope and generosity in the community!

Celebrating Culinary Magic

The Magical Dining event, which ran from August 16 to September 30, showcased over 150 of the region’s best restaurants, including several with honors from the prestigious MICHELIN Guide. Diners were encouraged to explore a delightful array of new culinary experiences while indulging in specially curated $40 and $60 pre-fixe menus. With each meal sold, $1 and $2, respectively, was contributed to help support local charities – what a delicious way to give back!

Record-Breaking Impact

This year’s event surpassed the previous record of $346,000 set back in 2020, bringing the total fundraising since 2009 to a staggering $2.9 million. Such achievements show that Orlando not only has a robust culinary scene but a community that deeply cares about helping those in need!

Focus on Local Beneficiaries

Notably, the primary beneficiary of this year’s event was The Mustard Seed of Central Florida, an organization dedicated to aiding families in recovering from hardships while promoting environmental sustainability. Their incredible work has included repurposing over 160,000 mattresses and diverting nearly 4 million cubic feet of waste from landfills. It’s all about making a difference in more ways than one!

Supporting Local Nonprofits

In addition to supporting The Mustard Seed, Visit Orlando also allocated $3,000 each to nonprofits in all six of Orange County’s commission districts. These recipients are devoted to fostering thriving and sustainable communities across various fronts:

Hope Along the Way: Providing support for families through challenging times.
New Image Youth Center: Empowering youth with essential educational resources.
Next Step Foundation: Promoting wellness and recovery in the community.
United Against Poverty: Helping to improve lives and livelihoods.
WASH Foundation: Advocating for clean water and sustainable practices.
CDA “WE Care”: Building strong and compassionate communities.

Recognizing Outstanding Contributions

The success of the Magical Dining event would not have been possible without the contributions of participating restaurants. This year, standout performers were recognized in various categories:

Summer House on the Lake: Top performing new restaurant for the $40 menu.
Chayote Barrio Kitchen: Top performing new restaurant for the $60 menu.
The Oceanaire Seafood Room: Largest year-over-year increase in meals served.
Seasons 52 – Orlando: Awarded the title of top performing restaurant overall.

A Celebration of Community and Flavor

Orlando continues to shine as the most visited destination in the United States, and the Magical Dining event plays a crucial role in enhancing the community’s health and wellness through culinary pride and charitable efforts. With an already impressive lineup for 2024 and nine MICHELIN Guide honorees included, food lovers can look forward to even more experiences next year!

Diners are encouraged to make reservations for future events through OpenTable or directly with participating restaurants. So get ready to dive into Orlando’s vibrant food scene and help support local causes that matter!