Landgarten donates memorabilia from restaurants to benefit Mainspring in Kittery
KITTERY, Maine — Michael Landgarten, former Kittery, Maine restaurateur, is continuing his legacy of giving back as he enters retirement. The man who transformed Bob’s Clam Hut into a famed establishment is donating several pieces of art and memorabilia from his time owning the restaurant. These items will be auctioned/sold at an event on June 24, at the Kittery Community Center to benefit Mainspring, a collaborative endeavor between Fair Tide and Footprints Food Pantry, two local nonprofit organizations. This event will pay tribute to Landgarten’s legacy as a dynamic entrepreneur who made a deep impact on the southern, Maine community through his restaurants.
During his 34-year tenure owning Bob’s Clam Hut, Landgarten supported multiple organizations through a robust employee-directed giving program. Fair Tide and Footprints Food Pantry, local agencies focusing on housing and food insecurity, were long-time beneficiaries of Landgarten’s generosity.
“Michael’s restaurants played a critical role in creating and strengthening community. He offered his employees a chance to learn about the issues facing our towns and what agencies were doing to address them. He then empowered his employees to choose where to direct donations,” says Emily Flinkstrom, Executive Director of Fair Tide. “Fair Tide was a recipient of those funds for many years and we’re so grateful that Michael has decided to continue his philanthropic legacy through this unique event that benefits such an impactful project.”
Mainspring is a resource hub of social services which will bring together multiple, well-established agencies under one roof, working toward a shared mission to better serve the seacoast community. This strategic, collaborative model will provide individuals and families with easy access to all-encompassing services, offering a pathway out of poverty and, ultimately, strengthening the entire community. Learn more at www.mainspringcollective.org
“I’m so excited and impressed with what is happening with Mainspring. A single hub of social services centrally located in Kittery. It makes such a statement of community values, and everyone being included and cared for,” Landgarten said.
The event will be held on Saturday, June 24, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kittery Community Center and will feature food from local restaurants, including Bistro 1828 at Pepperrell Cove, Black Birch, Tulsi, Lils Café, Rococo Ice Cream and Ben and Jerry's. Items are available for bidding online at http://www.bit.ly/landgartenyardsale with final bids closing at the event at 2 p.m. A short video and spoken tributes to Landgarten will take place at 1 p.m.
“It’ll be a nice chance to reconnect with all the restaurant alums - both staff and longtime guests. A reunion for a good cause. Come and bid and eat!” Landgarten says of the event.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Landgarten donates Bob's Clam Hut items to benefit Kittery nonprofit
