Hajjar Family Supports Taste of the Nation
Written by Lori Golaszewski | | news@toledofreepress.comWhen Taste of the Nation Toledo debuts at its new location at Levis Commons, Elias Hajjar and his father Labib will be there to lend their support.
The father and son are actively involved in Taste of the Nation Toledo, which will be held Sunday, April 26, from 5 to 11 p.m. at Fat Fish Blue. Elias is the owner of Poco Piatti while Labib owns the Beirut. Both will be participating restaurants at the event, which raises money to feed needy children in the area.
Labib, in particular, has been a longtime supporter of Taste of the Nation Toledo, Elias said. As a founding chairman, he helped to bring the national event to Toledo. He continues to serve on the steering committee and is responsible for bringing national chefs to Toledo to participate in the event.
“What’s great is that every dollar raised stays in the area,” Elias said, “and that’s what is so appealing to us.”
In addition to Taste of the Nation Toledo, Elias and Labib participate in the annual Oscar Night sponsored by the Greater Toledo Chapter of the American Red Cross as well as the Toledo Zoo’s ZootoDo.
“My father has always been very active in promoting local charities and events,” Elias said. “He believes in supporting the community, because all of the support that you give will come back tenfold. Ultimately, it’s about knowing your work, or your livelihood, can help to benefit so many people.”
Elias said his father instilled in him early on a sense of responsibility to give back to the community and help those less fortunate. He strives to pass along those same lessons to his own children.
“We are blessed to be comfortable in a certain sense, and it’s our duty and our responsibility to help out the less fortunate than us,” Elias said. “My father really believes that, and he instilled that in me as well.”
