Grand Lux Cafe has inherited a tradition of excellence from our founders, Oscar and Evelyn Overton, whose values shaped our culture and continue to define the character of our Company today. It is with these values in mind that we proudly established the Oscar & Evelyn Overton Charitable Foundation in 2001.
Our foundation exists to fulfill its mission through enhancing the wellbeing of surrounding communities. This non-profit organization was created not only as a means to raise funds for worthy causes, but also as a way to unite our caring and conscientious staff members in charitable causes.
Through our team sponsorship program Grand Lux Cafe ‘Give Back,’ our foundation sponsors staff member teams for fundraising or community service projects benefiting charities of their choice.
Most often teams are organized for fundraising events like Walk-a-Thons, which include beneficiaries like the American Cancer Society, the National MS Society, and Susan G. Komen for the Cure. ‘Give Back’ teams also participate in community projects like tree planting or serving a meal at a local shelter. Every team member receives a team t-shirt, and the Foundation makes a financial donation to the non-profit beneficiary based on the number of staff members on the team. The more 'Give Back’ staff members, the larger the donation!
Each September our staff members, conduct a nationwide Peanut Butter Drive to support Feeding America’s local network of Food Banks. Every year our goal is to collect and donate more than 100,000 jars/pounds of peanut butter.
On Thanksgiving Day staff members of Grand Lux Cafe join forces to volunteer for the annual Thanksgiving Day Feast hosted by our foundation at The Salvation Army. Staff member volunteers, along with their friends and family, create a special day of thanks by preparing and serving an elaborate traditional holiday meal to thousands of disadvantaged individuals and families at Salvation Army Community Centers across the country.
Given the growing need for hunger relief, Grand Lux Cafe is doing its part to help. The Harvest Food Donation Program involves collecting and donating surplus food from our restaurants to feed hungry people. Grand Lux Cafe prepares all our menu items from fresh ingredients delivered daily. Surplus food that no longer meets our gold standard, but is still wholesome and entirely consumable, is donated to feeding agencies that support local soup kitchens, shelters, transitional housing and after-school programs. Through this program, we donate thousands of pounds of wholesome food each year.
Every June, the Oscar & Evelyn Overton Charitable Foundation hosts our annual Charity Golf Tournament and Auction fundraiser. Money raised expands Foundation programs and results in a substantial donation to the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center in Duarte, California. City of Hope is an innovative biomedical research, treatment and educational institution, and is dedicated to the prevention and cure of cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Together with our vendor partners we have donated more than $2.5 million to the City of Hope as a result of this tournament.
Grand Lux Cafe proudly supports charitable organizations and schools in the communities we serve. Each General Manager has a monthly charitable giving budget. Donations are made in the form of $25 gift cards for fundraising efforts of the non-profit organizations our guests care about. Please note that Grand Lux Cafe does not participate in food donations or food sampling for events, nor do we make cash donations or provide cash sponsorships of individuals, teams or organizations.
If your school or organization is interested in our program, please submit a donation request to your local Cheesecake Factory no later than 30 days prior to your event. Your request must be written on your school or organization’s official letterhead and should include the following:
Check that all details have been included in your letter. Unfortunately, requests that do not include all the above details will not be considered.
Sorry, we cannot support organizations that fall into the following categories: