Old North News

Time is running out for diners to raise a financial toast that will benefit Ukraine.

LM Restaurants, with 12 restaurant names and 38 locations across the Southeast, has been running a campaign during the month of July where people can buy special drinks, with the proceeds being donated to World Central Kitchen, which helps the hungry.

“Our philosophy here at LM restaurants is to nourish our community and our neighbors,” Katherine Goldfaden, senior director of brands and marketing for the restaurant management company, told ABC 11 News. “Our global community is equally as important, especially when we're in a time of war.” 

The goal was to raise $100,000. Diners have several options to help. They can add donations directly to their restaurant tab or they can purchase a special $12 cocktail, made with citrus and peach in honor of the Ukraine agriculture industry.

LM Restaurant brands include: Carolina Ale House, Taverna Agora, Oceanic, Bluewater Waterfront Grill, Hops Supply Co., Vidrio, A'Verde Cocina and Tequila Library.

The concept went over well with Lou Moshakos, owner of LM Restaurants, as he knows from personal experience the impact of war.

"Lou Moshakos, our owner, grew up in Greece in the shadows of World War II, hearing stories of his parents leading the resistance movement in his small village,” Goldfaden told ABC 11 News. “And now with Ukraine and everything going on, watching the news, he and his wife, Joy, our cofounder, just couldn't sit there and not do anything to help. They understood that war really impacts generations." 

By raising $100,000, LM Restaurant patrons will be able to feed about 50,000 people. As of July 15, they were more than halfway toward their goal, with $64,000 having been collected.

World Central Kitchen is a not-for-profit organization devoted to providing meals in the wake of natural disasters and other crises.