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| For Immediate Release |
Contact: Andy Deloney |
September 2, 2008
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517/377-3931 |
Restaurant industry unites to end childhood hunger
JOIN TODAY!
Share Our Strength’s Great American Dine Out™ launches September 21-28
Share Our Strength®, one of the nation’s leading organizations working to make sure no child in America grows up hungry, invites restaurants to join Share Our Strength’s Great American Dine Out™ presented by American Express – a one-week event designed to rally the entire restaurant industry and drive millions of consumers to dine out at participating restaurants to end childhood hunger in America.
“No child in the wealthiest country in the world should ever go to bed hungry,” said, co-founder of Share Our Strength. “Sadly, it happens every day. In fact, one in every six children in America suffers from uncertain access to the healthy, nutritious foods they need, which can lead to lifelong and devastating consequences.”
Restaurants can participate in the Great American Dine Out in a variety of ways including:
- donating 1%-5% of sales during the week
- promoting a new menu item
- collecting donations from guest and/or employees
- selecting a menu category to promote
- offering specials during early dining hours
- and more!
Thousands of restaurants are already participating in the Great American Dine Out, and more are joining daily. The Great American Dine Out is endorsed by many of the country's top chefs including Chefs Thomas Keller, Mary Sue Milliken and Tom Collichio and industry executives Danny Meyer, Phil Friedman, Sally Smith and Wally Doolin. Food Network Star and host of the hit TV series Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Guy Fieri, has stepped up to serve as the national spokesperson.
Great American Dine Out founding sponsors and promotional partners providing critical financial, promotional and marketing support include etools, Fishbowl Marketing, Food Arts, Food Network, National Restaurant Association, Nation’s Restaurant News, Nestle Waters, OpenTable, Sysco, The Elliot Group and The People Report.
“Restaurants are truly cornerstones of their local communities as well as of the nation, and more than nine out of 10 actively participate in efforts to make a difference for those in need,” said Dawn Sweeney, president and CEO of the National Restaurant Association. “We are proud to partner with Share Our Strength and American Express for the Great American Dine Out and encourage all our members to be part of this initiative to help end childhood hunger in America. This is a great opportunity for restaurant operators, staff and patrons nationwide to get involved and work together through culinary channels to help ensure that no child goes hungry.”
Participating restaurants receive free marketing and public relations materials tools and tips to make the week a success. An extensive national marketing and public relations effort is underway giving participating restaurants increased exposure and a platform to easily leverage local media and implement marketing activities.
Join your fellow restaurateurs and help end childhood hunger in America. Register today at www.greatamericandineout.org or contact Jessie Sherrer at (202) 478-6505 or jsherrer@strength.org.
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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