Update for April 13
Yet again, West Seattle's philanthropic spirit rose to the occasion by dining out on April 12 to help raise funds for Transitional Resources, an art therapy program serving men and women with severe and persistent mental illness.

Event organizer Yemaya St.Clair with Transitional Resources shared this early report:

It was an amazing Food For Art event last night! Thanks to all the diners, restaurants, volunteers and raffle donors! Reports are still coming in, but we do know that Circa sold out of all their specials, Locol had the busiest four hours EVER, and HighStrike Grill ended up starting the promotion 2 hours early because so many diners said they were there for the event!

Update for April 12
Press release
Dine out in support of art therapy Thursday, April 12 at one of seven participating West Seattle Restaurants. Circa, Fresh Bistro, Highstrike Grill, Locol Barley & Vine, Luna Park Café, West 5, and Zatz are all donating a percentage of their proceeds on Thursday night to Transitional Resources’ art therapy program, serving men and women living with severe and persistent mental illness.

Each of the restaurants will host a raffle; your $5 ticket could win one of many generous prizes donated by local businesses, including the grand prize Wellness Package (Ola Salon 60-minute facial + Ola Salon spa products + LaVida Massage 60-minute massage + West Seattle Body Works Spray Tan Party + Chaco Canyon Café gift certificate) or the Artist’s Collection Package ($100 gift certificate toward the purchase of any RobRoy Chalmers original art + Wallflower Custom Framing $50 gift certificate + Young at Art $25 gift certificate + Handmade Quilt by local quilt artist).

Additional raffle prizes include:
Ola Salon Bag (products + hair cut service – total estimated value $170)
$50 gift certificate for Capers
$50 gift certificate for Jak’s Grill
$50 gift certificate for Northwest Art & Frame
$50 gift certificate for Elliott Bay Brewing Co.
Framed original painting by TR Resident Artist, Jenzo
$25 gift certificate for Prost!
Gift certificate for 12 Cupcake Royale cupcakes
6 months of bagels (one dozen bagels each month) from Zatz

Original post on April 3
press release
Food for Art benefit in support of Transitional Resources’ art therapy program: Thursday, April 12, 2012 in conjunction with the West Seattle Art Walk

Seven West Seattle Restaurants will donate a generous percentage of proceeds to Transitional Resources’ art therapy program on the evening of Thursday, April 12 as part of the first annual Food for Art event. Representatives from Transitional Resources will be at each restaurant, selling $5 raffle tickets for prizes donated by local artists and businesses, including event sponsor Ola Salon. All raffle proceeds will benefit the art therapy program at Transitional Resources, a West Seattle-based non-profit mental health center serving people living with severe and persistent mental illness.

Food for Art diners are encouraged to let their servers know they support Food for Art. Details about each restaurant’s Food for Art promotion follows:

Circa will offer two Food For Art specials, donating 50% of the proceeds from those sales. Promotion runs 5-10 p.m. (2605 California Ave. SW; www.circawestseattle.com)

Fresh Bistro will donate 10% of proceeds from sales off their regular menu (not their Restaurant Week promotional menu) and strongly encourages reservations. Promotion runs 5-10 p.m. (4725 42nd Ave. SW; www.freshbistroseattle.com)

Highstrike Grill will donate 25% of proceeds from all restaurant sales. Promotion runs 7-10 p.m. (4505 39th Ave. SW; www.highstrikegrill.com)

Locol Barley & Vine will donate 25% of proceeds from all restaurant sales. Promotion runs 6-10 p.m. (7902 35th St. SW; www.locolseattle.com/)

Luna Park Café will donate 25% of proceeds from all restaurant sales. Promotion runs 6-10 p.m. (2918 SW Avalon Way; www.lunaparkcafe.com)

West 5 will donate 25% of proceeds from all restaurant sales. Promotion runs 6-10 p.m. (4539 California Ave. SW; www.westfive.com)

Zatz a Better Bagel will donate 15% of proceeds from all restaurant sales. Promotion runs 6-9 p.m. (2348 California Ave SW; www.zatzabetterbagel.com)

Transitional Resources’ commends these local restaurants for their philanthropic engagement. By contributing to Transitional Resources’ art therapy program, these businesses are helping men and women have access to a creative catalyst for healing. The process involved in expressing one’s self artistically can help people resolve issues, as well as develop and manage their behaviors and feelings, reduce stress, and improve awareness. Art therapy is one of many programs offered at Transitional Resources, which providesrespectful, optimistic, and highly personalized care to those most in need.