AZFoodie Gets Fundraising Boost After Appearing On Drew Barrymore's Show

Award winning food blogger Diana Brandt, aka Arizona Foodie, got a major fundraising boost last week from Drew Barrymore.

Since the start of the pandemic, Brandt has been leaving large tips at some of her favorite restaurants in the Valley to help them out.

What started with an $825 tip for a server at Francine Restaurant in Scottsdale evolved into Brandt giving away more than $45,000 to over 30 area restaurants. Restaurant owners have used the money to pay their rent and staff as they struggle to stay open with COVID-19 restrictions.

Brandt sold T-shirts and held a raffle earlier this year to raise the money while her readers also left donations on her Venmo page. Since Brandt has appeared on Drew Barrymore's talk show on December 4, AZ Foodie has raised more than $65,000.

“We want to shine a light on people doing extraordinary things and for everyone to know that there is goodness happening in the world, that humans are having each other’s back, which I am convinced is the meaning of life. Diana is one of those people," Barrymore wrote in an email to the Arizona Republic.

Barrymore praised Brandt on her show for finding a unique way to help the restaurant community. Following Brandt's example, the TV host surprised the owner of Verdura, a local vegan restaurant, with a $5,000 tip.

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