Starr Announces Fundraiser for Philly Schools

Stephen Starr announced today in a press conference that his restaurants will run a "Support Our Schools" fundraiser throughout the month of March (with the possibility of an extension), to benefit the embattled School District of Philadelphia.

The campaign's goal is to raise $100,000 in donations from customers at all Starr restaurants in Philly. These donations will be solicited on the check as an optional add-on. The Starr group will also make its own donation of $25,000.

Starr appeared at the press conference alongside superintendent William Hite, whose district has lately faced tremendous cuts, laying off thousands of workers and closing more than 20 schools in 2013. (City Paper's Daniel Denvir noted last month that Hite appears to be "on an executive-hiring spree" despite the shortfall.) Last month, in an address to the Philly Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Nutter made a direct appeal to local business owners to "to make education funding - full and fair funding - your No. 1 priority for 2014."
[Photo: Starr Restaurants]
· Stephen Starr Raising Cash for Philadelphia Schools [Philly.com]
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