During the month of August, FIGO Pasta founder Sandro Romagnoli will put a philanthropic focus on kids and family. All seven metro Atlanta FIGO locations will sell the restaurant’s signature homemade olive oil to benefit the Child Protection Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, an organization that works to identify, assess and prevent child abuse and neglect in Atlanta and its surrounding communities. Beginning today, FIGO fans and local humanitarians are invited to help raise awareness about child abuse and funds for the center by purchasing an 8.5-ounce bottle of the flavored olive oil for just $8.50, with all profits benefiting the Child Protection Center.

A FIGO house recipe, the handmade oil is infused with red pepper, rosemary, thyme and garlic for a piquant flavor, perfectly blended for breaking bread together as a family. Romagnoli continues to embrace the Italian way of life – by sharing his love for food, family and friendship around FIGO’s tables – through the heritage of his hometown of Certaldo, a small town outside of Florence, Italy. Passionate about serving quality, genuine Italian pastas, sauces and dishes, Romagnoli expresses his dedication to the local community through the comforts of his neighborhood Italian kitchens. “FIGO is established on my life-long dream of living in the United States backed by my strong commitment to delivering an authentic Italian dining experience to Atlantans,” said Romagnoli. “Supporting the Child Protection Center through olive oil sales naturally aligns with FIGO’s simple philosophy and love for kids.”

Defined by warmth and comfort, FIGO is a welcoming home, or kitchen, away from home. Since its opening in 2002, FIGO, meaning “much-loved” in Italian, continues to remind Atlanta’s children that it is here they can “Be Yourself. Be FIGO.” A husband and father of two-year-old son Dante, Romagnoli spreads this family- inspired credo by serving guests more than 500 combinations of delicious pastas and sauces, allowing children and adults the freedom to choose their own favorites in a way that makes each one feel right at home as well as offering a unique kids bambini menu. Romagnoli explains his work, saying, “FIGO is not about one single thing—only food, only service. It’s the entire experience for every adult and child walking through our doors.”

Inspired by the Child Protection Center’s bambini-centered mission, FIGO began donating to the center in fall 2009 through a number of special events. From past promotions incorporating FIGO’s symbolic pepper shakers, such as selling themed calendars and dedicated pepper shaker decorating parties for children at the center, to a Valentine’s Day toy drive and specially designed bambini menu for April’s National Child Abuse Prevention Month, FIGO’s collaboration with the Child Protection Center has fostered exponential attention to this local organization’s role as a national leader and advocacy center for child abuse and neglect. To learn more about the Child Protection Center, visit www.choa.org.

If you’re interested in purchasing a bottle and helping the Child Protection Center, FIGO’s North Fulton location is in Alpharetta on North Point Parkway.