SoDel Cares continues the humanitarian and philanthropic efforts of SoDel Concepts founder Matt Haley close to home
HISTORY: SoDel Cares is the philanthropic arm of SoDel Concepts, which owns 12 coastal restaurants, a consulting company and a hospitality management company — all located in Southern Delaware. The foundation was created in honor of SoDel Concepts founder Matt Haley following his untimely passing in 2014. Haley, a noted philanthropist, was the recipient of the 2014 James Beard Foundation Humanitarian of the Year Award.
WHO IT HELPS: SoDel Cares provides monetary grants and support to hyper-local organizations that assist children, at-risk youth and adults and the elderly. Its primary mission is to contribute positively to the communities in which it conducts business. Through its efforts and the support of local restaurants, businesses, communities and its patrons, SoDel Cares has granted more than $550,000 over the last five years. Beneficiaries have included the Rehoboth Beach Boys & Girls Club, the Harry K Foundation, Pathways to Success, Primeros Pasos, the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation and Camp Barnes.
CARING FOR ITS COMMUNITIES
SoDel Cares has provided more than $550,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations in Sussex County during the past five years, in part, through events such as its annual 5K race/walk
and fundraiser.
A GOOD EXAMPLE: SoDel Cares is proud to support the Community Resource Center (CRC). Created in 2011, the CRC helps low-income individuals and families of greater Rehoboth get to the next step of their journeys toward self-sufficiency and stability by providing assistance through its food-rescue program, emergency assistance, job center, baby pantry and day center. In addition to its monetary donations to the CRC the past three years, SoDel Cares conducted a food drive in January 2020 as part of SoDel Concepts’ annual corporate retreat. Each of the company’s 250 employees was asked to donate one food item to the cause. Most brought more — and SoDel Cares donated more than 40 grocery bags of food from the initiative to supplement the CRC’s Food Pantry.
HOW TO HELP: You can support SoDel Cares by attending its annual fall fundraiser, held at Fish On in Lewes, by participating in its annual 5K race/walk, each June, at Thompson Island Brewing Company in Rehoboth and by making a personal or business contribution through its website,
at SoDelCares.com.