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| For Immediate Release |
Contact: Andy Deloney |
5/6/2008
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517/377-3931 |
June 20 Is the Deadline to Apply for
the 2008 Restaurant Neighbor Award
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Restaurant Association (MRA) is seeking charity and civic minded restaurateurs to enter the 2008 Restaurant Neighbor Award. The MRA represents more than 4,500 foodservice establishments across the state, the vast majority of which consistently do good works in the communities where they are located.
Each year, the National Restaurant Association (NRA) and American Express award $5,000 each to four restaurants – one small business, one mid-size/large business, one national chain and one Humanitarian of the Year – through the Restaurant Neighbor Award, an awards program that recognizes outstanding community service efforts among our nation’s 945,000 restaurants.
“Restaurateurs nationwide have always been strong community partners, and the Restaurant Neighbor Award helps us highlight those partners doing great things in their local neighborhoods,” said Rob Gifford, president and chief executive officer of the MRA. “Our industry does a lot for the communities in which they do business without seeking recognition for their contributions. Here is a great opportunity to put a spotlight on being a good neighbor and be recognized on a national level by our industry.”
The Michigan Restaurant Association (MRA) will choose winners to compete for the national award. Once chosen by the MRA, all state winners receive a plaque to display in their restaurant, are profiled in a booklet of community service case studies and are recognized at the NRA Public Affairs Conference in Washington, DC in September.
In addition to the grand prize of $5,000, national winners receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, DC where they will receive the award at the opening session of the Public Affairs Conference.
Industry-wide, 90 percent of restaurants do charitable work in their community. The “good works” state restaurateurs do range from hosting annual fundraisers to support non-profit organizations to coordinating volunteer efforts in the community to mentoring young people inside the four walls of the restaurant.
“Service comes naturally to restaurateurs, and nine out of 10 restaurants are involved in some type of charitable activity. We created the Restaurant Neighbor Award to acknowledge and reward these efforts and bring to the forefront the widespread philanthropy of our industry,” said Dawn Sweeney, president and chief executive officer of the NRA. “I encourage all restaurants to share their stories and projects with us.”
To apply for the award or to nominate a restaurateur who is actively involved in his or her community, please contact the MRA today at (800) 968-9668 or apply online at www.restaurant.org/community.
The deadline to apply for the award is June 20, 2008.
The Michigan Restaurant Association (MRA) is the recognized leader of Michigan's hospitality industry, providing essential services to the foodservice community. Founded in 1921, the MRA represents more than 4,500 Michigan foodservice establishments. The industry plays an integral role in Michigan's economy, employing more than 423,000 people and creating more than $12.8 billion in annual sales. For more information please call 800-968-9668.
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