Kicking Hunger with annual Taste of the NFL fundraising event

The Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals may not have been playing in Super Bowl LIV, but The Rail headed south for the big matchup anyway. Chefs from our burger joint had a job to do - represent the Pro Football Hall of the Fame and the great state of Ohio. The Rail was asked to represent the Gold Jackets in Miami, Florida at the annual Taste of the NFL ‘Party with a Purpose’ event after winning the “People’s Choice” award at 2019’s Taste of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Party with a Purpose, hosted at The Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, Florida, featured food and drinks from all over the country. Our chefs served a burger called “The Gridiron” to attendees. It featured local beef, spinach, red onion, bacon, cheese crisp, and truffle aioli.

Chef Mike Mariola, founder of Mike Mariola Restaurants (parent company of The Rail), was thrilled The Rail was asked to take part in the event. “We operate in communities that are very passionate about football, so being part of such a widely attended Taste of the NFL event was a dream come true for us,” founder Mike Mariola explained. “Our purpose is to enrich our community by creating connection, happiness, and opportunity, and I think we achieved all of those things throughout our year-long fundraising effort on behalf of the Akron-Canton Foodbank for the event and by highlighting our uncompromising commitment.”

Aside from the food, the highlight of the night was the announcement that the total number of meals donated by the Taste of the NFL has reached over 220 million since its inception in 1992. To get involved and help in the fight against hunger, you can text “TasteNFL2020” to 855-202-2100 to donate. 100% of funds raised benefit the Akron-Canton Foodbank directly.

The Rail will be attending the Taste of the NFL’s Party with a Purpose again in 2021.