Care-a-lotta has begun the process of choosing its next non-profit partner for a fully-funded and staffed fundraising gala. Interested organizations are encouraged to apply online before 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 26.
In 2019, Care-a-lotta will be celebrating its sixth annual non-profit partnership, which will culminate in a hosted gala in 2020. During the course of the year, the partnership is intended to leverage The Bartolotta Restaurants’ resources and brand to raise awareness and funds for a local nonprofit.
Organizations who apply must be recognized as a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) and meet the minimum requirements outlined in the application, which can be found at the Bartolotta website.
The 2018 gala recipient and Care-a-lotta partner, The Women’s Center, hosted its gala on Thursday, Aug. 23, at the newly renovated Italian Community Center.
"We were so grateful you gave us this opportunity by selecting us as the 2018 Gala-lotta recipient," noted Women's Center Executive Director Angela Mancuso. "Your partnership ensured that we continue to reach even more of our community with the crucial message that abuse should never be expected or tolerated and break the cycle of domestic and sexual violence."
This year’s Care-a-lotta partner, Running Rebels, will host their gala on Thursday, Sept. 26 at the Italian Community Center.
"We have hosted six events for our Gala-lotta partners and each event has been successful in raising awareness, friends and much-needed funds for our partners," noted Jennifer Bartolotta, Director of Care-a-lotta.
"We are very excited for this year’s gala partner, Running Rebels, whose transformational work with Milwaukee’s youth is astounding. The board is anxious to begin the vetting process for our 2020 partner. We are grateful for the opportunity to learn about the plethora of organizations working hard to lift and serve those most in need."
The Bartolotta Restaurants have made charitable giving a large priority for over 25 years. Past partners in addition to Safe & Sound include The Susan G. Komen Foundation, Urban Ecology Center and Milwaukee Public Schools.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
