Bread basket fundraiser exceeds 'dough-nation' expectations

Since its opening May 17, La Terrazza Franzisi in Richards Landing has been conducting a summer-long fundraiser, dubbed Dough for Dough, in support of the Matthews Memorial Hospital Association (MMHA).

At their wrap up dinner for the season Saturday night, Maria Moro-Franzisi announced to the patrons of the restaurant why that night was so special. Franzisi said through the efforts of the staff and contributions from the patrons, $1,044 was raised through the sale of bread baskets. “

"I wanted the donations to stay on St. Joseph Island," she said.

Money raised will go toward physician recruitment and retention.

Accepting the check on behalf the MMHA board was treasurer, Julie Gardiner.

Franzisi has seen box after box of sliced bread unwanted by customers thrown out. It was her son-in-law who brought the Dough for Dough idea from Sudbury.

For a toonie, customers could buy a basket of bread to go with their meal and those funds collected each day was donated to the hospital association.

"I hate waste," she said. "Very few customers tuned down the donation idea."

A thermometer located within the restaurant displayed the progress through-out the summer months.

In early September, a family arrived for supper. Franzisi said she learned that two of the family members were among babies born in the early years of the North Shore Health Network Richards Landing, Matthews Site. It was a family member’s $2 contribution that brought funds raised to the $1,000 mark.

"It was great," she said. "That was over 500 baskets."

Franzisi never expected to raise more than $500 and was shocked when the day came that it reached $1,000. Every day Franzisi would ask, “What are we at now," watching the thermometer climb.

Gardiner thanked the Franzisis and those who contributed.

"This was the making all their own," Gardiner said. "All that money raised will stay right here for the hospital."