Tag Archives: charities

OTTO Partners with FEED KIDS and Cooking Matters to combat food insecurity

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At OTTO, we strongly believe in investing in our communities, and are proud to support a variety of causes and local organizations. Since we opened our doors in 2009, we’ve worked with over 500 organizations – from hosting fundraisers, to sponsoring teams, and handing out pizza to 5k participants – giving back is an important part of what we do.

As OTTO continues to grow and expand into new communities, we are continuously redefining the ways in which we give back. It is important that we are intentional and impactful with our reach, and that we’re able to align our core values with our giving. As a restaurant, one issue that is extremely important to us is food insecurity. We believe that no child should ever go hungry, and that families, schools, and communities should have the tools and resources to combat food insecurity. We’ve recently partnered with organizations in Maine and Massachusetts which aim to do just that – end child hunger in our communities, and provide families with the resources to connect them to healthy and affordable food options. Starting March 1, OTTO will be donating $1 from every monthly special pizza sold to FEED KIDS in Maine, and to Cooking Matters in Massachusetts.

Full Plates, Full Potential – FEED Kids

Full Plates, Full Potential is an organization dedicated to ending child hunger in Maine. “[Their] work focuses on increasing participation in school breakfast, after school meals, and summer meal programs.” We are proud to say that we are now one of their FEED KIDS Partners, and will be donating $1 of every monthly special pizza sold in Maine to Full Plates, Full Potential.

Cooking Matters MA

Cooking Matters is a campaign developed by Share Our Strength; a nonprofit that aims to end poverty and hunger. More specifically, Cooking Matters aims to end childhood hunger by “inspiring families to make healthy, affordable food choices. [Their] programs teach parents and caregivers with limited food budgets to shop for and cook healthy meals.” Cooking Matters helps connect low-income families with the tools and resources to prepare healthy food on a budget. OTTO will donate $1 of every monthly special pizza sold in Massachusetts to Cooking Matters.

Follow us to learn more about how we will be working with these two organizations to help end child hunger in our communities.

2015: A Year In Giving Back

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Since we opened our first little slice shop on Congress Street in Portland back in 2009, giving back has been integral to what OTTO does. From day one, we have committed ourselves to bettering the communities in which we do business. We have been fortunate enough to continue this tradition into 2016 and beyond.

10414491_806020339409898_4134071848483003687_nIt is not lost on us that without having been embraced and supported by our communities over the past several years, we would not have been able to make community outreach an integral part of our company culture.

Our weekly fundraiser series now runs in 8 locations in two states. In addition to these events, we provide many in-kind donations to many deserving charities and community organizations throughout the year.

OTTO has been fortunate enough to have donated to over 250 organizations in Maine, Massachusetts and beyond in 2015. We are extremely grateful to be in a position to do so. As we close the year, we are thankful for the many wonderful organizations (and those who keep them operating) who tirelessly worked to better our communities in so many ways.

As we look back on the past year, we want to acknowledge some of the great organizations that we have had the pleasure of working with in some capacity. The following is a partial list of these organizations.

Thank you for all you do!

317 Main
American Cancer SocietyCGsEWPrVIAAaS8I
American Liver Foundation
Amirah Boston
Animal Refuge League
Anna Jacques Community Health Foundation
Art Play Nursery School
Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital
Bicycle Coalition of Maine
Bikers Against Child Abuse
Birth Roots
Boston Cares
Boys to Men
BreastFest Concert 4 a Cure
Brendan Conway Memorial Scholarship Fund
Brookline Arts Center
Brookline Community Mental Health Center
Brookline High School Model UN
BU Alternative Spring Breaks
BU Black Business Association
BU China Care Fund
BU Ellevate
BU Global Business Brigades11225257_1005999809411949_3853456183222734451_n
BU Global Water Brigades
BU Partners in Health
BU Relay For Life
BU Special Olympics Club
BU Student Volunteers for Special Needs
BU Unite For Sight
Buddy Up Animal Society
Cancer Community Center
Cape Celebrates Literacy and Authorfest
Cape Challenge 5k
Cape Elizabeth Jazz Cabaret
Cape Elizabeth Speech and Debate
Casco Bay Nursing Partnership
CBS 13’s Tri for a Cure
Center for Grieving Children
Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine
Christmas Tree Santas
Coastal Womens Healthcare 2nd Annual 5k for Postpartum Depression
Community Health Council
Connect the Tots
Coolidge Corner Community Chorus
Coolidge Corner Theatre Foundation
Creative Portland
DayOne
Deering High School Chinese Club
East End Community School
East End Holiday Stroll
Easter Seals
Edward Devotion School12072666_1087917931220136_3592187942805901356_n
El Amor de Patricia
Engineers Without Borders
EqualityMaine
Falmouth Corner Preschool
Feed the DOG, Inc.
Figures of Speech Theater
FPD Education Foundation
Freeport Community Services
Friends of Casco Bay
Friends of Feral Felines
Friends of Newburyport Track
Friends of Willow
Front St. Study Center
Georgetown PTA
GHS Key Club
GHS Project Graduation
Girls On The Run
Good Shepherd Food Bank11406320_10152770783527820_6834360431906910084_o
Harvard Center For Ethics
HEAD Over Roof, Inc.
Helping Paws
Hour Exchange Portland
Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center
LearningWorks
Levey Day School
Longfellow Elementary School
Lucky Pup Rescue
Lynnfield Art Guild
Mad Horse Theatre
Maine Adaptive Sports
Maine Catholic Charitites Barrels & Brews
Maine Center for Creativity
Maine Chapter of Muscular Dystrophy Association
Maine Charitable Mechanic Association
Maine Friends of Animals
Maine Historical Society
Maine Inside Out
Maine Irish Heritage Center12248133_10153249482658733_242042729514050777_o
Maine Youth Rock Orchestra
Mama Hope
Mayo St. Arts
Merrohawke Nature School
Missions to Zanzibar
Multiracial Adoptive Family Collaborative
Multilingual & Multicultural Center
Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organization
My Place Teen Center
Newburyport Education Foundation
Partners for World Health
Pennies for Poverty
Pie Man Theatre Company
Portland Buy Local
Portland Chamber Music Festival
Portland Nursery School
Portland Stage11698946_1030049273673669_6715835807551496429_o
Portland Sunrise Rotary Club
Portland Symphony Orchestra
Preble Street Resource Center
Primitive Condition
Project Nicaragua
Rainbow Tribe
REAL School
Resilience Hub
Ronald McDonald House
RunTriRide
Sable Oaks Golf Tournament for Camp Kieve
Safe Passage
Scarborough Education Foundation
Scarborough Land Trust
SealsFit
Sexual Assault Response Services
Silent Sidekicks10646796_985574444787819_8653778671969702376_n
Skyline Farm 5K Trail Run/Walk
South Portland Historical Society
South Portland Jazz Festival
South Portland Nursing Home
South Portland Public Library
Southern Maine Community Organizations Active in Disaster
Southern Maine Conservative Collaborative
SPHS Dollars for Scholars
SPHS Project Graduation
Spirits Alive 2015 Walk Among the Shadows
Starry Night 8.5k
Steps to Success
STRIVE
Student Veterans of America
Take Action Portland
Team On Belay
The Fresh Air Fund11112974_1006021342743129_2477605537619062446_n
The Locker Project
The Pixel Fund
The Riders Club
The Root Cellar
The Telling Room
Townscape
Trek Across Maine
Tri for a Cure
UNE Miles for Smiles
United Way of Greater Portland
University of Maine School of Law Women’s Law Association
USM Community Garden
USM Vets Holiday Party
USM Leadership Gala
Valpo Surf Project
Vet to Vet
Village Nursery School
Vivid MotionCKecefMWsAArOad
Wayfinder Schools
Wescustago Youth Choir
Westbrook Little League
Westbrook Seals Swim Team
WMPG
Women Around The World
Yarmouth Cares About Neighbors
Yarmouth Community Garden
Yarmouth Education Foundation
Yarmouth Historical Society
Yarmouth Lions Club
Yelp Helps
Young Non-Profit Professionals Netowrk
Youth & Family Outreach

OTTO’s Fundraiser Series – Updated Schedule for Boston and Portland

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Several great reasons to eat an entire pizza without feeling guilty.

PrintOTTO is pleased to be hosting an ongoing series of fundraiser nights to benefit regional charities and community organizations. At each event, a portion of sales will be donated to the dedicated organization.

The series began in February of 2013, and runs in both Maine and Massachusetts, with Maine fundraisers taking place at OTTO’s 574 Congress Street expansion, and the Massachusetts fundraisers taking place at OTTO’s BU location at 888 Commonwealth Avenue. The events are from 5pm – 9pm unless otherwise noted.

So far this year, the fundraisers have raised thousands of dollars for area organizations.

In addition to raising funds, OTTO owners and staff hope the events will help raise awareness, encourage dialogue, and provide a venue for networking, brainstorming, and speaking with potential volunteers.

OTTO encourages charities, schools, and organizations to reach out to discuss opportunities. Those interested should send an email to contactus@ottoportland.com.

As of this writing the schedule is as follows (all dates are subject to change):

OTTO 574 Congress St. Portland (Arts District)
October 1 – Sweetser
October 8 – League of Young Voters
October 15 – Society for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
October 22 – South Portland High School Project Graduation 2014
October 29 – Spurwink
November 5 – Falmouth High School Girls Softball
November 12 – Silent Sidekicks
November 19 – UNE Marine Animal Rehabilitation and Conservation Program
November 26 – ITNPortland
December 3 – Cumberland Community Nursery School
December 10 – Maine Women’s Fund

OTTO 888 Comm Ave, Boston (across from BU)
October 14 – Brookline Food Coop
October 21 – Global Environmental Brigades

Please consider supporting these organizations by stopping by OTTO during their events. A percentage of each purchase will go directly to the organization. It’s a great opportunity to eat an entire pizza without the guilt!

Interested in being part of OTTO’s ongoing fundraiser series? Write to us at contactus @ ottoportland.com.

OTTO’s Fundraiser Series – Updated Schedule for Boston and Portland

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Several great reasons to eat an entire pizza without feeling guilty.

PrintOTTO is pleased to be hosting an ongoing series of fundraiser nights to benefit regional charities and community organizations. At each event, a portion of sales will be donated to the dedicated organization.

The series, which began in February of 2013, runs weekly in both Maine and Massachusetts, with Maine fundraisers taking place at OTTO’s new 574 Congress Street expansion, and the Massachusetts fundraisers taking place at OTTO’s BU location at 888 Commonwealth Avenue. The events are from 5pm – 9pm unless otherwise noted.

OTTO looks forward to partnering with many wonderful regional charities, schools, and non-profit organizations. The fundraiser series further extends OTTO’s philanthropic initiatives – the restaurant has been actively supporting charities and non-profits since opening its doors in 2009.

25945_10151427371857650_1879767039_nIn addition to raising funds, OTTO owners and staff hope the events will help raise awareness, encourage dialogue, and provide a venue for networking, brainstorming, and speaking with potential volunteers. OTTO also looks forward to working more closely with organizations and becoming better acquainted with those who dedicate their time to these causes.

The series is still in its infancy, and OTTO encourages charities, schools, and organizations to reach out to discuss opportunities. Those interested should send an email to contactus@ottoportland.com.

As of this writing the schedule is as follows (all dates are subject to change):

OTTO 574 Congress St. Portland (Arts District)salt

May 28 – Community Television Network
June 4 – SPACE Gallery
June 11 – Salt Institute for Documentary Studies
July 2 – Environmental Health Strategy Center
July 9 – Maine Youth Leadership
June 25 – KidsPeace
August 6 – Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership of Maine
August 13 – Portland Youth Dance
August 20 – International Children’s Enrichment Program

logoOTTO 888 Comm Ave, Boston (across from BU)
May 27 – Brookline Literacy Partnership

Please consider supporting these organizations by stopping by OTTO during their events. A percentage of each purchase will go directly to the organization. It’s a great opportunity to eat an entire pizza without the guilt!

OTTO Fundraiser Calendar: Good Food, Good Causes

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Several great reasons to eat an entire pizza without feeling guilty.

PrintOTTO is pleased to be hosting an ongoing series of fundraiser nights to benefit regional charities and community organizations. At each event, a portion of sales will be donated to the dedicated organization.

The series will run in both Maine and Massachusetts, with Maine fundraisers taking place at OTTO’s new 574 Congress Street expansion, and the Massachusetts fundraisers taking place at OTTO’s BU location at 888 Commonwealth Avenue.

OTTO looks forward to partnering with area charities, schools, and non-profit organizations. The fundraiser series further extends OTTO’s philanthropic initiatives – the restaurant has been actively supporting charities and non-profits since opening its doors in 2009.

rmhcIn addition to raising funds, OTTO owners and staff hope the events will help raise awareness, encourage dialogue, and provide a venue for networking, brainstorming, and speaking with potential volunteers. OTTO also looks forward to working more closely with organizations and becoming better acquainted with those who dedicate their time to these causes.

The series is still in its infancy, and OTTO encourages charities, schools, and organizations to reach out to discuss opportunities. Those interested should send an email to contactus@ottoportland.com.

As of this writing the schedule is as follows (all dates are subject to change):

OTTO 574 Congress St. Portland (Arts District)salt
March 12 – Casco Bay High School Model UN
March 19 – Salt Institute for Documentary Studies
March 26 – Ronald McDonald House
April 2 – Portland Veterans’ Acupuncture Clinic
April 9 – American Liver Foundation’s Run For Research
April 16 – Portland Ballet
April 23 – LearningWorks

Grubstreet_logo_tshirtOTTO 888 Comm Ave, Boston (across from BU)
March 18 – The Lawrence School
March 19 – Project Mailbox
March 25 – Grub Street Writers
April 1 – Boston Marathon fundraiser to support the Boston Bruins Foundation
April 8 – BU Center for Gender, Sexuality & Activism
April 15 – Project Mailbox
April 22 – OnStage Dance Co.
April 29 – Children’s Center of Brookline
May 6 – Brookline Arts Center

Please consider supporting these organizations by stopping by OTTO during their events. A percentage of each purchase will go directly to the organization. It’s a great opportunity to eat an entire pizza without the guilt!

OTTO Launches Fundraiser Series to Benefit Area Charities and Organizations

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Starting February 11, you’ll have several great reasons to eat an entire pizza without feeling guilty.
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On Monday, February 11, OTTO will launch an ongoing series of fundraiser nights to benefit regional charities and organizations. The series will run in both Maine and Massachusetts, with Maine fundraisers taking place at OTTO’s new 574 Congress Street expansion, and the Massachusetts fundraisers taking place at OTTO’s BU location at 888 Commonwealth Avenue.

projectmailboxThe first fundraiser will support the BU student-led charity organization Project Mailbox, an initiative that collects funds at campus drop-off locations (actual retro mailboxes) to support charities voted on by students. Each month, the winning charity becomes Project Mailbox’s charity of the month, and all donations go towards that charity.

Project Mailbox describes itself as “a charity for other charities, raising awareness and money for different causes one coin at a time.”

The Project Mailbox fundraiser night will take place on Monday, February 11, starting at 5pm at 888 Commonwealth Avenue in Boston. A portion of the night’s receipts will be donated to Project Mailbox. The evening will also feature a 50/50 raffle, prizes on the hour, and a “Hungry Hour” from 5-6pm in which guests receive a free slice of cheese pizza with the purchase of a beer.

Toy_Fund_LOGOOTTO looks forward to partnering with area charities, schools, and non-profit organizations. The fundraiser series further extends OTTO’s philanthropic initiatives – the restaurant has been actively supporting charities and non-profits since opening its doors in 2009. In addition to raising funds, OTTO owners and staff hope the events will help raise awareness, encourage dialogue, and provide a venue for networking, brainstorming, and speaking with potential volunteers. OTTO also looks forward to working more closely with organizations and becoming better acquainted with those who dedicate their time to these causes.

The series is still in its infancy, and OTTO encourages charities, schools, and organizations to reach out to discuss opportunities. Those interested should send an email to contactus@ottoportland.com.

As of this writing the schedule is as follows (all dates are subject to change):

Grubstreet_logo_tshirtOTTO 888 Comm Ave, Boston (across from BU)
February 11 – Project Mailbox
March 4 — Family Equality Council
March 18 – The Lawrence School
March 25 – Grub Street Writers
TBD – BU Center for Gender, Sexuality & Activism

OTTO 574 Congress St. Portland (Arts District)salt
February 26 – Bruce Roberts Toy Fund
 March 5 – Casco Bay High School Senior Class
March 12 — Casco Bay High School Model UN
March 19 – Salt Institute for Documentary Studies
April 2 — Portland Veterans’ Acupuncture Clinic
April 9 — American Liver Foundation’s Run For Research
April 16 – Portland Ballet

Please consider supporting these organizations by stopping by OTTO during their events. A percentage of each purchase will go directly to the organization. It’s a great opportunity to eat an entire pizza without the guilt!