E Harlem's Rao's Raises Money For Catholic Schools Amid Pandemic

EAST HARLEM, NY — Longtime East Harlem Italian restaurant Rao's is offering New Yorkers a chance to win a reservation for four at the ultra-exclusive eatery in exchange for donations to support neighborhood Catholic schools.

Rao's owner Frank Pellegrino Jr., who took the business over after his father Frank Pellegrino Sr. died in 2017, is working with Partnership Schools to raise money for the Catholic school networks as it adapts to the coronavirus crisis. Partnership Schools, which mostly serves children from Harlem and the South Bronx, has waived tuition payments for families, committed to paying all school staff and is establishing an emergency fund for families hit hard by the crisis, a spokesperson for the schools network said.

Donors who contribute more than $500 to Rao's fund for the school network will have a chance to win a reservation for four to the restaurant. With restaurants barred from dine-in service for the foreseeable future, the reservation will be for 2021. Donors who contribute up to $500 will have an opportunity for a free takeaway meatball dinner. Up to 10 donors will be selected for the meatball dinners.

Donations will be accepted from May 19 through June 12.

Rao's has raised money for local Catholic schools by hosting an annual charity meatball dinner since 2005, when East Harlem's Mt. Carmel-Holy Rosary School was in danger of closing. The elementary school, located about five blocks from the Italian restaurant, has since become a part of the Partnership Schools network.

Partnership Schools is calling this year's donation drive the "Frank Pellegrino Memorial Fund." Rao's owners are asking donors to help support the restaurant and bring attention to the fundraiser by posting a video of a family dinner on social media with #onebigRAOSfamily.

"The Pellegrino family and Rao's community has raised more than $3 Million for our students over the years. Their dedication and support has helped ensure we can provide a life changing education to some of the most vulnerable children in New York City," Jill Kafka, executive director of Partnership Schools, said in a statement.