National association honors Rojo for strong support of nonprofits

Rojo, a popular Latin-themed eatery that’s been a Highland Avenue fixture since 2002, recently won a community service award.

The restaurant — owned by Clark Lopez and Laney DeJonge — won the 2018 Restaurant Neighbor Award for the state of Alabama from the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.

“We were glad to win the award for the state,” DeJonge said. “There’s so often bad news in the world. We like to be part of a good news story.”

The award honors restaurants that distinguish themselves in community service and philanthropy.

Each Tuesday, Rojo allows a nonprofit to host an event at the restaurant and keep 10 percent of the evening’s proceeds. The percentage nights allow nonprofits to get more money, exposure and volunteers, DeJonge said. 

“And it helps Rojo bring in new people on a slower night,” she said.

In 2017, Rojo raised $22,000 for nonprofits and donated $6,500 worth of food to charities, according to DeJonge.

In addition, Rojo is a sponsor of Sidewalk Film Festival, hosts the festival’s  Sidewalk Salons and is a monthly underwriter for WBHM public radio.

State winners of a Restaurant Neighbor Award receive plaques and are profiled on the NRAEF website.