Operations

Garden Catering fights childhood cancer

CEO Frank Carpenteri Jr., with his sister and COO, Tina Carpenteri, holding her daughter, Willa. Photo: Garden Catering

January 10, 2025

New York-based Garden Catering is inviting the community to support "Queen Willa's Countdown to the Bell" by selling $5 coupon booklets with 100% of proceeds going to nonprofit organizations that uplift families with children diagnosed with cancer, LivFree and Circle of Care, according to a company press release.

This cause is especially meaningful to the Garden Catering team as COO Tina Carpenteri's daughter, Willa, was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2023. Since then, the community has rallied around their family. The Circle of Care has supported Willa and her family with gift cards for gas, food, birthday presents, Christmas gifts and the ultimate room makeover. LivFree treated the family to see "The Lion King" on Broadway, and Swim Across America Fairfield County dubbed its inaugural Kids Splash — Queen Willa's Kids Splash — treating her like a queen for the day.

Willa is nearing the finish line of her treatment and soon be able to "ring that bell. The booklet fundraiser, which honors her final stretch, begins Monday in-store, in app or online. Each includes coupons for menu items, including free one-fourth pound of nuggets, Thai-GRRR nuggets, free mac bites and $3 off any purchase. All coupons will be redeemable in February.

Frank Carpenteri Sr. re-opened Garden Catering in 1991, at its original location in Old Greenwich. Still family owned and operated by Carpenteri Sr.'s children Frank Jr and Tina, Garden Catering has eight restaurants throughout Connecticut and New York.