Restaurants across the Country embrace weeklong event to end childhood hunger in America

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Omaha Restaurant Examiner

OMAHA RESTAURANT EXAMINER JOINS
SHARE OUR STRENGTH’S GREAT AMERICAN DINE OUT®

SEPTEMBER 20 – 26, 2009 in Omaha, NE

Restaurants Across the Country Embrace Week-Long Event to End Childhood Hunger in America

OMAHA, NE, July 17, 2009- Omaha Restaurant Examiner is pleased to announce her participation in Share Our Strength’s Great American Dine Out®, a weeklong national restaurant event in cities across the United States. From September 20-26, 2009, thousands of restaurants and Omaha Restaurant Examiner will join together to raise funds to help end childhood hunger in America. Millions of consumers play a vital role in this initiative as well; their choice to dine out at participating restaurants, from coffee shops to fine-dining establishments, will help feed children across America. Each year, more than 12 million children in American (one of every six) worry about when their next meal will come. Share Our Strength is the leading organization working to end childhood hunger in America.

The first Great American Dine Out event raised more than half a million dollars. 4,000 restaurants participated, from independent and family-owned establishments to large chains and restaurant groups. Donations of restaurant sales for the week, direct donations from dining patrons and restaurant suppliers, plus money raised through promotions, helped to make the program a success.

To date, more than 2,500 restaurants have already signed up for the 2009 Great American Dine Out. Participating venues include: Corner Bakery Café, Dave & Busters, The Great American Restaurants, Il Fornaio, First Watch, Claim Jumper, Captain D’s, Bruegger’s Bakery & Cafe, McAlister’s Deli and Joe’s Crab Shack, and many others.

“We are asking millions of consumers and thousands of restaurants to help us fight childhood hunger,” said Bill Shore, Founder of Share Our Strength. “We were heartened by the generosity and commitment of the restaurant industry and diners last year. Our hope is to continue this program every year until every child in America has access to nutritious food where they live, learn and play.”

The Great American Dine Out is sponsored by Sysco, S.Pellegrino/Acqua Panna Sparkling Natural Mineral Water, Ecolab, the Food Network, USA Today and The National Restaurant Association.

Virginia Roode, Omaha Restaurant Examiner, is a local promotional partner for Omaha.

I will be actively participating in the event this year by encouraging local restaurants, coffee shops, and bars to get involved. As patrons, I encourage everyone to make donations and to dine out at local establishments who will be participating in September.

There is an account established at Creighton Federal Credit Union where donations can be made if you are unable to visit a local dining establishment. The account is under Great American Dine Out.

I, along with several other local patrons, will do the
Buffalo Wild Wings Blazing Challenge on Saturday October 3, 2009. A wing for every $500 that is raised in the local CFCU Great American Dine Out Account. Details are still in the works.

This year Food Network star Aaron McCargo, Jr. will serve as the spokesperson for the Great American Dine Out. The 2008 winner of “The Next Food Network Star” and host of his own Food Network show, Big Daddy’s House, enjoys family life as a loving husband and father to three children in Camden, N.J. With a wealth of restaurant and catering experience, Aaron also speaks to area youth about overcoming adversity to achieve personal goals. He was recently honored by the City of Camden, N.J. (where he was also born and raised) for his commitment to service and his amazing success in the food industry.

“As a dedicated father and passionate foodie, I feel truly blessed to be a part of Share Our Strength’s Great American Dine Out. I hope that by sharing my love and knowledge of food, I can encourage families to participate in this worthwhile program to help end childhood hunger in America, said Aaron McCargo.”

About Share Our Strength

Share Our Strength^® is the leading national organization working to make sure no kid in America grows up hungry. We weave together a net of community groups, activists and food programs to catch children at risk of hunger and ensure they have nutritious food where they live, learn and play. We work with the culinary industry to create engaging, pioneering programs like Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation^®, the nation’s premier culinary benefit; Share Our Strength’s Great American Bake Sale^®, a national grassroots effort; Share Our Strength’s A Tasteful Pursuit^®, a touring dinner series; Share Our Strength’s Great American Dine Out^®, a week-long program involving thousands of restaurants nationwide; and Share Our Strength’s Operation Frontline^®, a cooking-based nutrition education program. Visit Strength.org.

For a list of participating restaurants and more information about Share Our Strength’s Great American Dine Out, please visit Strength.org or GreatAmericanDineOut.org.