As a supporter of Children’s Trust, Alodia’s Cucina Italiana finds that nothing tastes sweeter than giving to an organization that supports child well-being and stronger families. The partnership is a perfect fit for owners Adam and Betsy Huneau.
Adam Huneau crafts his philanthropic strategy as meticulously as he does his Duck Carbonara. As the owner of Alodia’s Cucina Italiana, a Columbia-area polished casual restaurant, Huneau displays a passion for serving the best dishes every day – a commitment that matches the dedication to both his family and his charitable giving. Whether it’s direct financial support or in-kind donations for Children’s Trust, Huneau and his wife Betsy feel strongly about the importance of giving back to their community. They would like to see every child have the best opportunity to succeed while living a great childhood free from abuse, neglect and injury.
Betsy and Adam Huneau
“We do feel like we should give back,” he said. “We’re grateful, and it’s an honest reaction to the success and support we’ve been given over the years.” That giving nature shouldn’t come as a surprise. Growing up with three siblings, he learned the importance of family bonding from a mother and father who also preached what it means to be involved in the world around you. “Coming from a big family, you’re instilled with those qualities from day one,” Adam said. His mom, Nanette, serves as a program assistant at Children’s Trust, where for 10 years, she has helped coordinate events. Huneau’s younger sister, Amber, worked for Prevent Child Abuse South Carolina before and after the merger that led to the creation of Children’s Trust. His older sister, Natalie, served as a past chair for the gala committee in Greenville. And now that he has started a family of his own with two young sons and a daughter set to arrive early next year, he and Betsy, who serves as a creative spark and valuable sounding board for restaurant ideas, have gained a greater understanding of providing children with the love and support all of them need. “You learn what love is when you have children,” Huneau said. “You view the world differently after that. That definitely changed me. You understand when you look around and see children who don’t have the basics needs a child should have. You want to make a difference with them.”
Alodia’s Cucina Italiana
Alodia’s chose Children’s Trust as its charity of choice this year. The restaurant has participated in year-round fundraising activities, including a giving campaign around April’s Child Abuse Prevention Month. It also was a generous supporter of the organization’s annual gala in August. Starting in November, Alodia’s will offer its guests the opportunity to add a donation for Children’s Trust to their bill. Seeking donations in increments of five dollars, the restaurant will draw attention to the five protective factors that help families thrive and reduce the incidence and consequences of abuse and neglect. Information on Children’s Trust will be available on table tops and rack cards. As an added bonus, Huneau donates all profits on sales of Alodia’s T-shirts, which will begin by mid-November, to the organization.
“When we get involved and commit to something, we want to do as much as we can. And we track it. We try to measure it and improve it,” he said. “That’s how we do things day-to-day, and that’s how we stay motivated.” That philosophy also is why the Chocolate Tiramisu tastes so good.
