Watch CBS News

Stephen Starr Restaurants Collecting Donations For Philadelphia Schools

By Mike DeNardo

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Restaurateur Stephen Starr is asking customers to throw in a little extra when they pay their restaurant checks, to help the financially struggling Philadelphia schools.

Starr says he got the idea when his wife noticed online crowdfunding efforts by Philadelphia teachers.

"How sad that individual teachers were going on the Internet in separate blogs and so forth to try and raise their own money for things that they needed in school, and that the government -- the city and state government -- could not provide it themselves," Starr said today.

So, for the next month, customers at Starr's twenty-one Philadelphia restaurants will be asked to kick in a little extra for Philly schools.

Starr is chipping in $25,000 himself, with the goal of collecting $100,000 for playgrounds, technology, and internships.

Starr says he's hoping his effort will spur other restaurants and businesses to support schools.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.