Sizzle Dining serves up a record 87,483 meals, raises $87,483 for Blessings in a Backpack
The Floridant/10320370

NAPLES, Fla. - Floridant -- In a generous display of community spirit and culinary excellence, Sizzle Dining wrapped up its most successful "dine with purpose" event to date.

Together, the 127 participating Southwest Florida restaurants sold 87,483 meals and more than 8,000 Sizzle cocktails, with $1 from every meal sold going to help Blessings in a Backpack of Southwest Florida, a non-profit organization that provides nutritional food to food insecure elementary students every Friday throughout the school year.

Over the past four years, Sizzle Dining has donated more than $150,000, helping ensure more than 30,000 hunger-free weekends for elementary school students across Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties.

"This year's event once again demonstrated the incredible heart of our restaurant community," said Guy Clarke, executive director of Sizzle Dining. "Local restaurants needed the extra boost during the slow season, and our community came together in record numbers to dine with purpose and raise an extraordinary amount for Blessings in a Backpack. It's proof that when we support local, everyone wins."

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The 2025 Sizzle Dining event brought new energy to Southwest Florida's dining scene with exciting culinary offerings, creative prix-fixe menus and special experiences. Restaurants across the region, from neighborhood favorites to fine dining destinations, participated in the four-week celebration of food, community and compassion. Notable mentions from this year's Sizzle Dining include a dollar-for-dollar match from Bone Hook Brewery and Craft Kitchen, with 506 meals sold equating to a $1,102 donation to Blessings in a Backpack. For the third year in a row, Phelan Family Brands was the top donor with a total of nineteen of its brand restaurants participating. Additionally, six restaurants participating in Sizzle Dining for the first time made it to the top 20 list for restaurant sales, including Estia, Blackbird Modern Asian, Hogfish Harry's, M Waterfront Grille, Tap 42 Craft Kitchen + Bar, Naples and Alice Sweetwater's Bar & Grille.

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In addition to helping local children in need, Sizzle Dining continues to play a vital role in strengthening the regional economy. The event also:

• Contributes more than $5 million annually to the Southwest Florida economy by driving business to local restaurants during one of the slowest times of year.
• Fosters community pride by encouraging residents and visitors to explore and support locally owned establishments.
• Stimulates job growth and boosts revenue across the hospitality supply chain.
• Attracts tourism, drawing visitors to Lee and Collier counties for unique dining experiences.

Plans are already underway for next year's Sizzle Dining with even more restaurants expressing interest in participating and expanding on this year's success. Save the dates for Sept. 1 – 30, 2026.