Restaurant gives back to community

Aug. 21, 2019 | Sarah Heinonen
sarah@thereminder.com

AGAWAM – When a community has supported a business for over 30 years, it makes sense that it would want to give back to the area.

EB’s Restaurant, at 385 Walnut St. Ext., has been giving back to the people of Agawam for nine years with Give Back Mondays. Ed Borgatti, the owner, said EB’s donates 10 percent of gross sales, with the exception of beer and wine.

“We just wanted to do something for the community,” Borgatti said. “The people are very engaged and we love the community.”

Give Back Mondays donates about $10,000 a year to area organizations and charitable causes. In the nine years since it’s inception in late 2011, they have given back roughly $80,000.

Borgatti said people will come in on Mondays even if they don’t know which organization is being supported because they know money is going back into the community. Monday nights are very busy thanks to the program, he said.

“One hand washed the other. It brings in business and helps out at the same time,” Borgatti said. “We do better, they do better.”

The restaurant promotes the program and the cause of the week by putting out posters and advertising it on the restaurant’s website as well as the local online community forums. Borgatti said it’s important that the organization spread the word and actively participate.

An organization doesn’t necessarily have to be located in Agawam to partner with EB’s. Borgatti said they work with organizations and charities in abutting towns, such as West Springfield, Springfield, Longmeadow, and Southwick.

There are certain limitations to which organizations can take part in the program. EB’s usually partners with organizations or charities. They do work with individuals and families who are struggling with unfortunate or tragic circumstances, such as cancer patients or accident victims. Each charity is limited to one Monday per calendar year. Borgatti said the program is booked through the end of the year.

The organization for Aug. 26 is the Girl’s Junior Thunderbirds, while the Sept. 2 fundraising will benefit Agawam Gymnastics. Borgatti said they try to line up the organization with the season. For example, he said, a football team is likely to be scheduled for a Monday in the fall.

Organizations or causes interested in partnering the EB’s for Give Back Mondays can contact Shelley Borgatti-Reed at 789-3525 or ebs@borgatti.com.

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