From September 18-24, the simple act of eating out can help Washington-D.C.-based Share Our Strength fight childhood hunger. Share Our Strength’s Dine Out For No Kid Hungry is a week-long fundraising program in which thousands of consumers nationwide join with participating restaurants in support of Share Our Strength’s work to end childhood hunger in America. To-date, more than 5,000 restaurants have signed on to support the fundraising initiative. Funds are raised in a variety of ways including donating a percentage of sales and offering deals on select menu items. A map of participating locations, searchable by zip code, is available at www.DineOutForNoKidHungry.org.
More than 16 million children in the U.S. live in households that have trouble consistently putting food on the table, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. Through initiatives that include working with state and local partners, funding qualifying school nutrition programs, and educating parents and children on ways to maximize nutrition, Share Our Strength works to break the cycle of hunger.
“No child in America should have to go hungry,” says Sheila Bennett, Share Our Strength’s director of Dine Out For No Kid Hungry. “Unfortunately, it has become a reality in this country. But there is a very simple way practically anyone, anywhere can help. Enjoy your favorite restaurant, from September 18-24, and designated proceeds from each restaurant’s promotional activities go to Share Our Strength.”
Now in its 4th year, Dine Out For No Kid Hungry raised more than $1.5 million in 2010—a number organizers intend to double this year. This year’s participating restaurants include independently run locations such as Marc Murphy’s Benchmarc Restaurants in New York and multi-unit brands such as Corner Bakery Cafe, Denny’s, Joe’s Crab Shack, Boston Market, P.F. Chang’s, O’Charley’s, Dave & Buster’s, Papa John’s and McAlister’s Deli. Share Our Strength’s Dine Out For No Kid Hungry is nationally sponsored by Sysco, American Express, Ecolab, Open Table, Food Network, USA Today, and the National Restaurant Association. For more information, or to find participating restaurants, visit www.DineOutForNoKidHungry.org.
