THB Bagelry + Deli announced Sept. 1 that all six of its locations — Owings Mills, Columbia, Charles Village, Canton, Towson and Timonium — will offer a chat with a purchase of a coffee to encourage communication to help eliminate the stigma associated with mental health.
Every Wednesday in September, THB will sell specialty bagels that are colored teal and purple. Teal and Purple are colors that represent suicide awareness prevention. Information and helpful handouts from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) will be included in bagel purchases made on Wednesdays.
Though raising awareness and money, THB plans to donate a portion of proceeds of all coffee and teal bagel sales to National Suicide Prevention Awareness month in September.
To double the impact, THB will also donate a portion of all coffee sales made in September. Orinoco Coffee & Tea, THB’s coffee supplier, has generously agreed to match THB’s coffee sales donation dollar for dollar.
The funds raised from the bagel and coffee sales will be donated to Nico’s Hope for Life Foundation, which was founded by THB’s director of operations, Jerry Osuna, in loving memory of his son, Nico, who passed away in 2018. Funds from Nico’s Hope for Life Foundation are given to AFSP for research, counseling, awareness programs, and many services dedicated to anyone who is struggling with mental health.
“We are honored to raise money and awareness for Nico’s Hope for Life Foundation this month through coffee and specialty bagels,” said Tony Scotto, owner and CEO of THB Bagelry & Deli. “This foundation means so much to us because of the important work they do in the community, but also because mental health awareness is crucial in the restaurant industry, especially in regard to the challenges we have faced during the Pandemic.”
The mission of Nico’s Hope for Life Foundation is to combat the stigmas associated with mental illness and raise awareness of the “silent epidemic” of suicide especially with young adults and teens. The foundation assists organizations through educational awareness programs that equip young adults, educators, youth workers and parents with tools and resources through developing and funding programs, activities and events.
“I started this foundation in memory of Nico, my son, who had a beautiful soul, was free spirited and had a heart of gold. After his passing, I began researching young adult suicide and mental health, and the statistics I found were alarming. I founded Nico’s Hope for Life with the ultimate intention to prevent suicide and to promote mental health awareness,” said Osuna. “From the beginning of the foundation, THB and the Scotto family have been our largest supporters and I am incredibly grateful for their support. I am also very thankful for the generosity of Orinoco Coffee & Tea, who have also been a solid partner. This will be the first year we are selling the purple and teal bagels in THB stores, and we are looking forward to educating our guests about this topic.”
THB and Orinoco Coffee & Tea will also be supporting the AFSP’s Out of the Darkness Walks taking place in Annapolis on Sept. 18 and in Baltimore on Oct. 30.
“We are so proud to support THB and Nico’s Hope for Life through this campaign to raise money and awareness for suicide prevention,” said Pedro Ramirez, president and CEO of Orinoco Coffee & Tea. “This is a very important issue to us, especially working in the restaurant industry where mental health awareness is vital to so many.”
Throughout September, Nico’s Hope for Life will also partner with Vida Taco Bar. Portions of Taco Sales will go to the foundation from all three Vida Taco Bar locations (Annapolis, Severna Park and Baltimore), and the Taco chain will donate $1 from each Vida Ilegal Mezcal Smoke Margarita sold. Nico’s Ride for Mental Health Awareness, a mountain bike ride, hike or walk, will take place in Bogata, Columbia, on Sept. 11. Additional partners include the Morgan Beverly Foundation and Odd Birds Cocktail Lounge & Kitchen in St. Augustine, Florida.
To learn more about Nico’s Hope for Life Foundation and to view a full list of ways to support, visit nicoshopeforlifefoundation.org/.
For information on AFSP visit afsp.org.
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