Max & Erma's Celebrates 40 Years With 70's-Themed Party In Birmingham

is turning 40 years old this year and to mark that anniversary and to help kickoff the restaurant's annual Food for Families campaign, the Birmingham location will be throwing a special 70's-themed bash tonight.

From 6-8 p.m. Monday, residents can mingle with Metro Detroit celebrities during Max & Erma's 40th anniversary celebration, featuring plenty of 70's-themed activities — a nod to Max & Erma's founding decade.

But perhaps even more importantly, the party will also kick off the Food for Families campaign, a summer fundraising drive to benefit Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan.

"We are excited to partner with Max & Erma's," said Gleaners President DeWayne Wells. "Max & Erma's is providing diners a great opportunity to support Gleaners' mission of feeding hungry people in our communities and rewarding them with a chance to enjoy a future visit to their restaurant. It's a win-win."

As part of Monday night's festivities, Gleaners' special celebrity staff members will encourage guests to purchase Erma's Donation Dollars for $1 (or more) in return for a future food discount at Max & Erma's.

The money raised will benefit the agency's Hunger Free Summer program with the goal being to raise $40,000 for food banks serving communities where Max & Erma's operates.

In addition, diners at Max & Erma's nine company-owned Michigan restaurants (see the full list below) will also be able to purchase Erma's Donation Dollars all summer long.

Plus, this isn't the only party Max & Erma's is throwing this summer. The restaurant will be partnering with Gleaners' all summer long, holding special FUNdraiser events through Labor Day.

On designated days, each restaurant will donate 20 percent of the food and beverage orders Gleaners' supporters make that day. To make a donation, visit www.gcfb.org/maxandermas to print the downloadable coupon and then present to that coupon to your Max & Erma's server. The coupon may also be shown on a mobile device.

FUNdraisers will be held at the following Max & Erma's locations:

• July 19: Sterling Heights and Plymouth
• July 23: Farmington Hills and Westland
• July 26: Partidge Creek and Novi
• July 30: Canton
• Aug. 2: Livonia
• Aug. 6: Sterling Heights and Plymouth
• Aug. 13: Farmington Hills and Westland
• Aug. 16: Partidge Creek and Novi
• Aug. 20: Canton
• Aug. 27: Livonia
• Aug. 30: Birmingham

"Since our founding 40 years ago, Max & Erma's has always taken great pride in being a good neighbor," said Steve Weis, Max & Erma's president. "Max & Erma themselves were very king, community-minded people and we think they would be very pleased that we are celebrating our anniversary this way."

Max and Erma Visocnik opened their first small bar and restaurant in Columbus, OH in 1958, but the official Max & Erma's brand launched in 1972. Currently, the chain has 75 restaurants in 10 states.