ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (Aug. 14, 2024) – Employees of Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille on the St. Petersburg Pier have started a new restaurant initiative – donating their time, delivering hot food and visiting with families staying at the Ronald McDonald House on the campus of John Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg. Nine team members recently volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House Charities Tampa Bay’s East House, serving a taste of Doc Ford’s to 45 families. Preprepared and packaged for grab-and-go convenience, the menu included pulled pork sandwiches, black beans and rice, and coleslaw.
“We are so proud of our employees for bringing the joy and the spirit of Doc Ford’s to others,” said Joe Harrity, a partner with HM Restaurant Group, which owns and operates the restaurant’s four locations. “Doc Ford’s is all about family and community. We look forward to continuing this meaningful partnership with Ronald McDonald House and supporting its wonderful mission.”
One of four Ronald McDonald Houses in St. Petersburg and Tampa, the East House provides 34 bedrooms, a home away from home and compassion to parents whose children are patients at the hospital. Its Cook for Our Cause program encourages community volunteers to prepare or donate meals to lessen the burden and worry on weary families. Over 44,000 meals were served in 2023 at the four houses, where guests average a 20-night stay. The locations have comforted and cared for over 50,000 sick children and their families since 1980.
Doc Ford’s and HM Restaurant Group are long-time supporters of All Children’s Hospital and Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida in Fort Myers. Their Hospital Drinks initiative donates $1 from select cocktails to both hospitals. The program has raised more than $123,000 since its inception, including $11,101 in 2023.
With locations on the St. Petersburg Pier, Jungle Terrace in St. Pete, Sanibel Island and Fort Myers Beach, philanthropy and community outreach are engrained in the company ethos. Doc Ford’s also supports local nonprofits dedicated to conservation, community and the environment.
Renowned for its legendary guest experience, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The award-winning restaurant offers food with a unique balance of flavors inspired by the Caribbean Rim. Beloved for its sauces, spices and signature Yucatan shrimp served daily, it’s highly regarded by locals and visitors alike as a spectacular seafood restaurant. Doc Ford’s is a perennial Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice winner. The St. pier restaurant was named the No. 1 Best of the Best Restaurants for Everyday Eats in 2023.
Contact:
Jennifer Hamilton, Gravina, Smith, Matte & Arnold Marketing and Public Relations, 239-275-5758, [email protected]
