Social Responsibility
At Mesón Sabika and Tapas Valencia, we believe in the interconnectedness of humanity—a sentiment beautifully expressed by Persian poet Saadi Shirazi:
“Human beings are members of a whole,
In creation of one essence and soul.
Should one organ be troubled by pain,
Others would suffer severe strain.
If you have no sympathy for human pain,
The name of human you cannot retain.”
This philosophy inspires our deep belief that our success is not solely measured by profit but by the impact we make on our community and beyond. Our journey has been profoundly shaped by the dedication of past and present staff, loyal partners, and the unwavering support of our patrons.
At the heart of our mission is a commitment to the well-being of our staff and the broader community we belong to. We actively participate in local and global efforts, striving to create meaningful change. The impact we’ve achieved would not have been possible without the generous support of those who dine with us, allowing us to serve as a bridge between our community and those in need.
To honor this collective effort and support, we proudly share the impact we have made together.
Contributions
In recent years, we have contributed over $1,739,201.11 to humanitarian organizations, including:
Listed below are some of the Charitable and Humanitarian Organizations we have donated to:
- American Red Cross
- Hesed House
- Naperville Responds to Veterans
- Loaves and Fishes
- Little Friends
- School for Children of the World
- United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)
- World Vision
- DuPagePads
- Spanish Red Cross
- Casa De Luz
- Epilepsy Foundation
- Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
- Northern Illinois Food Bank
- Make a Wish Foundation
- Naperville Humane Society
- Rotary Club of Naperville
- Taylors Gift
- Indian Prairie Education Foundation
- Kids Matter
- The J. Kyle Braid Leadership Foundation
- The Smile Train
- Upendo Village
- YMCA of Metro Chicago
- UNICEF for Ukraine
- Doctors Without Borders
- Child Foundation
- 360 Youth Services
- West Suburban Community Pantry
- Century Walk
Beyond monetary contributions, we have provided over $4,422,465.67 in products and services, such as:
- Annual Thanksgiving Dinners, serving nearly 4,200 guests (3,000 at Mesón Sabika and 1,200 at Tapas Valencia).
- Hosting events to benefit those affected by natural disasters.
Supporting community initiatives, including:
- Career development events at the Community Career Center
- Spring for a Cure benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
- Various programs for Loaves & Fishes Community Food Pantry
- Meals on Wheels
- Contributions to the Northern Illinois Food Bank and People Resource Center
- Ronald McDonald House support
- Contributions for fundraisers, including gift certificates and dinner packages for auctions.
- One program especially close to my heart is our Teacher Appreciation Program, inspired by my childhood experiences. Growing up in a family of nine, my father, who couldn’t continue beyond elementary school due to poverty, taught us the true value of education. He always emphasized respect for my mother and our teachers, who he saw as the guiding lights in our lives. This foundation gave me a deep appreciation for educators and their incredible role in shaping the future. Through this program, I want to express my gratitude and support for the schools and teachers who make such a difference in our community.
Why It Matters
Our dedication to social responsibility stems from a belief that businesses thrive as part of a larger community. We feel it is our duty to help those who are less fortunate and to serve as a conduit for positive change, both locally and globally.
With heartfelt thanks,
Hossein Jamali
President, Mesón Sabika & Tapas Valencia
