At Erik’s DeliCafé, we are proud to support the communities we serve. Since 1973, Erik’s has been an active member of the community, as our sponsorship of community events, donations and others forms of support are part and parcel of the way we do business.

Over the years, Erik’s has sponsored Frisbee Tournaments in Santa Cruz, aided Santa Cruz County during the aftermath of the October 1989 earthquake and contributed to an annual "Seasoned Citizens" barbeque in the summer. It’s just our way of saying "Thanks!" for making us successful for all these years.

Erik’s DeliCafé of Capitola and Erik’s DeliCafé of Watsonville were proud to donate to the Second Harvest Food Bank’s Annual "Dining Out/Helping Out" fundraising event. For more information on the Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County and what you can do to help, please visit www.thefoodbank.org.

In the early 1980’s, Erik’s sought to set the record for the world’s "largest" potbelly sandwich at the annual World Flying Disc Championships final, which was held in Santa Cruz County. In 1982, Erik’s unveiled a 174.6 foot long Pot Belly sandwich that contained 150lbs of jerky 150 lbs of pastrami, 80lbs of cheese, 40lbs of Erik’s "Secret Goo" and a "garden’s worth" of onions, sprouts and tomatoes. The 174.6 foot long sandwich was held by approximately 75 people, who carried it onto the field for those in attendance to see. The tradition continued through 1983, when Erik’s created a 275 foot Pot Belly Sandwich, which contained 210 pounds of Turkey, 210 pounds of Pastrami and 110 pounds of Monterey Jack Cheese.

Following the October 17, 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, Erik’s turned its commissary on Coral Street into a makeshift disaster headquarters, collecting and distributing food. In the weeks following the disaster the services of Erik’s central commissary were made available to the public and the Red Cross. Erik’s also teamed with local business to host a Sunday night barbeque for workers who assembled "business pavilions" for displaced merchants.

From 1987 to 2002 Erik’s served thousands of seniors at an annual Senior Citizens Fourth of July barbeque. The barbeque was held at Harvey West Park in Santa Cruz, California and featured barbequed chicken, cole slaw, watermelon and more.

In appreciation of Erik’s support, a proclamation was read on July 4, 1995 declaring the day "Erik’s DeliCafé Day" in Santa Cruz. Erik’s was proud to contribute to the barbeque, because as Erik said, "When I started the deli in Scotts Valley , the seniors supported us. The barbeque seemed a natural way to support them."

Erik with friends at a "Seasoned Citizens Barbecue", sponsored by Erik's DeliCafé