ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (Sept. 10, 2024) – Employees of Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille’s St. Petersburg Pier restaurant recently volunteered at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Tampa Bay’s shelter. The group helped the nonprofit agency organize the kennel, clean litter pans, food and water dishes, and bathe dogs.
It was the first time team members volunteered at the shelter. They plan to return.
“Our employees really thrive on serving their local communities,” said Joe Harrity, a partner with HM Restaurant Group, the parent company of Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille. “Team members also recently served meals at the Ronald McDonald House in St. Pete and will be returning soon.”
Doc Ford’s locations in Southwest Florida have volunteered at a local food pantry, installed Halloween decorations and built a miniature replica of the Fort Myers Beach Doc Ford’s for the train village at Lakes Park in Fort Myers, demonstrating the restaurant’s commitment to community.
HM Restaurant Group leads by example, donating to a number of charitable causes in the communities it serves. Its Hospital Drinks program, which allocates $1 from select cocktails, has raised more than $123,000 for All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg and Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida in Fort Myers.
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 structure. Doc Ford’s also supports local nonprofits dedicated to conservation, community and the environment.
An independent animal welfare agency serving the community for 84 years, SPCA Tampa Bay runs an open-admission, for-all animal shelter in Pinellas County. Annually, the organization cares for nearly 8,000 animals surrendered by their owners along with injured wildlife, providing immunizations, medical care and enrichment. It’s supported by a team of 100-plus staff members and more than 250 volunteers.
Renowned for its legendary guest experience, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Owned and operated by HM Restaurant Group, 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. Petersburg 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]
