SoCal-Based Stonefire Grill Raised $12k for the Maui Food Bank as the Island Continues to Rebound and Rebuild Following Devastating 2023 Fire

Agoura Hills, Calif.— (July 25, 2024) — Following the aftermath of last year’s devastating Maui fire that destroyed the town of Lahaina, Stonefire Grill, Southern California’s fast-casual dining destination known for its generous portions of scratch-made, classic American-inspired dishes and time-honored recipes, launched a four-week campaign as part of its “Recipe for Goodness” initiative to raise money for the Maui Food Bank. For every slice of carrot cake purchased, Stonefire Grill donated $1 to the cause, raising $12,000 for the organization.

Last month, David Youngberg, CEO of 14-unit Stonefire Grill, made a detour during his family vacation to fly from the Big Island to Maui to present the Maui Food Bank with the check.

“We all watched in horror last summer as the fire swept through Lahaina, destroying lives, property and everything in its path,” said Youngberg. “Our small restaurant group, which is a tight-knit group, had several team members who were personally affected. Some had grown up on the island, while others still had family and friends living there. They were fortunate to escape with their lives, but not much else. Many had no homes to return to when it was all over. We knew we could—and should– lend a hand through our “Recipe for Goodness.”

For many months following the fire, the island was inundated with volunteers as well as monetary and in-kind donations. As the months began to wane so did the donations, and the Stonefire Grill team knew that the time to present the Maui Food Bank with the money it raised from carrot cake sales had arrived.

Youngberg, who was also on the Big Island to take part in the Ironman, planned his family vacation around it and decided to fly to Maui for the day to personally present the food bank with its check. When his Uber driver picked him up to take him to the airport, they struck up a conversation with Youngberg casually telling the driver the reason he was headed to Maui for the day. In a serendipitous moment, the driver shared with him how, as a child living with his single mom and siblings on Maui, the Maui Food Bank had been their lifeline while his mom worked multiple jobs to make ends meet.

“When I saw this grown man tear up recalling the impact this organization had on his family, it was very humbling,” added Youngberg. “As a result, he now pays it forward by volunteering on the Big Island at the Kona Food Bank.”

Stonefire Grill’s “Recipe for Goodness” initiative has also had a positive impact on the communities where the popular restaurant has locations and often includes creating campaigns and incentives around its famed carrot cake. During National Carrot Cake Day in February, Stonefire Gill and its sister restaurant, Rattler’s BBQ, donated $1 from the sale of every piece of carrot cake to local L.A., Ventura, Riverside/San Bernardino and Orange County food banks. The restaurant brand has also lent its support to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Tails that Teach, which inspires young children, ages 3-8, to be kind to pets and other people.

Stonefire Grill has 14 locations throughout Southern California, including sister restaurant Rattler’s Bar B Que in Santa Clarita.