Bentwood Tavern is launching its 2026 Giveback Dinner Series in partnership with the Berrien Community Foundation, expanding the restaurant’s long-running philanthropic effort with a county-wide approach to nonprofit support.
The collaboration marks the first time the series has been guided by the foundation’s broader view of community needs across Berrien County. Organizers say the partnership is intended to help direct funding to organizations facing the most immediate and pressing challenges at a time when demand for nonprofit services continues to rise.
Bentwood Tavern owner Robert Kemper said the restaurant sought guidance this year to better understand where community support would have the greatest impact. Through its work with the Berrien Community Foundation, the restaurant connected with new organizations while continuing its focus on local needs.
“This year felt like an important moment to pause and ask where support would matter most,” said Kemper. “BCF helped us widen our lens, connect with new organizations, and continue to reflect the current needs of our community.”
The Berrien Community Foundation, which has worked for more than 70 years to connect donors with local causes, helped shape a series centered on themes including nourishment, dignity, equity, wellness, and long-term community well-being. Foundation President Lisa Cripps-Downey said the partnership brings visibility and financial support to nonprofits that are being asked to do more with fewer resources.
Each Giveback Dinner invites the public to dine at Bentwood Tavern, with 50% of all food and beverage sales from the evening donated to the featured nonprofit.
The 2026 Giveback Dinner Series will support four organizations:
January 29 — Meals on Wheels of Southwest Michigan. Proceeds will benefit the organization’s Nutrition Exchange Program, which connects local farms with food pantries and meal programs to expand access to fresh, healthy food for food-insecure residents. The organization continues to see rising demand as government funding declines.
February 19 — Emerge Innovation Hub. Funds will support the hub’s Youth Entrepreneurship Program, which provides business education, mentorship, and hands-on learning opportunities for young innovators, with a focus on the African American community.
March 26 — Samaritan Counseling Center. Proceeds will help support accessible mental health services across Berrien County and surrounding areas, particularly for youth and families navigating ongoing social and emotional challenges.
April 23 — Benton Harbor Community Development Corporation. The dinner will benefit Project Rebuild, an initiative focused on converting abandoned and neglected properties into safe, sustainable housing to address the city’s affordable housing shortage.
Reservations for the January 29 dinner are open now, with reservations for subsequent events opening three weeks prior to each dinner. Since the Giveback Dinner Series began, Bentwood Tavern says it has raised more than $150,000 for local nonprofit organizations.
You can visit Bentwood’s website for more information.
Bentwood Tavern said it plans to continue the tradition throughout the winter season, welcoming community members to participate while supporting organizations working to strengthen Berrien County.
