Frankie Tomatto’s to donate one day’s sales

Frankie Tomatto’s to donate one day’s sales

Eat out — your bill payment will go to typhoon victims

By Beatrice Paez

In a show of solidarity with the Filipino community, family-friendly Italian restaurant Frankie Tomatto’s is holding a fundraiser on November 29 for the communities affected by Typhoon Haiyan.

Behind the restaurant’s replica façade of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, is a sizeable contingent of Filipino-Canadian workers, whom the owner, Hal Roback wants to support.

“It’s the initiative of the big boss to donate the proceeds of the day. We have 120 people working here, and quite a lot of them are Filipinos,” says Pepe Siy, the vice president of the establishment. “We [also] have a steady customer base of Filipinos.”

Its all-you-can-eat offerings of pizza, pasta, seafood and artisan style bread attract many Filipinos from the GTA, and even as far as Barrie, he added. Many come to celebrate birthdays and other special occasions.

An entire day’s sales will be contributed to the Red Cross Typhoon Haiyan fund, and will be matched by the Canadian government, dollar for dollar.

Siy says they hope to raise at least $30,000, and have continuously reached out to different associations and organizations, including the consulate to support the cause.

“We just want to help the Filipino people,” says Siy.

Frankie Tomatto’s is located at 7225 Woodbine Ave, Markham, ON

Lunch Hours: 11:30-2:30
Dinner Hours: 5:00-10:00