Great American Dine Out Sept 20 through Sept 26

September 8, 11:40 AMRestaurant ExaminerShelley Owens

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Crepes; First Watch restaurants

According to Share Our Strength, SOS, even before the financial crisis, one in six kids in America were at risk of going hungry.

And 9.6 million kids are eligible for the free lunch program at school but don’t participate. And, of those who receive food stamps, they receive only one dollar per meal in food stamp allocations.

To raise money to help stop childhood hunger, SOS is getting help from restaurants and restaurant patrons during the Great American Dine Out September 20 through September 26.

Dine out at a participating restaurant during that week and get a chance to donate money to end childhood hunger.

Thousands of restaurants are participating from your local bistro to major chains including First Watch and Dave & Buster’s.

Different restaurants have different ways to help you donate. Some are donating a portion of the proceeds from food sales for a day or for the week. Some are creating a special menu item from which they are donating profits. Others are selling T-shirts or coupons. Check with the restaurant before you go.

Aaron McCargo, Jr. spokesperson for the Great American Dine Out, Big Daddy’s House host and season four winner of The Next Food Network Star.

Watch the Dine Out special on Food Network's "Big Daddy's House," Sunday, September 20 as host Aaron McCargo, Jr. kicks off the 2009 annual Dine Out.

During that show, Big Daddy teams up with New Jersey Chef Jose Velez (Rod's Steak & Seafood Grille) to whip up robust Roast Beef Strip Loin with Bourbon Mushroom Sauce, Stick-to-the-Ribs Barley and Currant Cake and Braised Kale with Toasted Almonds with Homemade Lemon Doughnuts for dessert.

Organizations eligible for the money
SOS gives the money raised, through grants, to non-profit and government agencies that help give at-risk families access to food. SOS listed the following examples of programs that qualify for funding including but are not limited to:
• School food and nutrition programs
• Community gardens
• Food pantries and shelters
• Recreation and community center programs
• Nutrition education programs
• Programs designed to increase use of the Earned Income Tax Credit
• Programs designed to increase utilization of federal child food and nutrition programs, e.g. food stamps, etc
• Child food and nutrition-related advocacy programs
• Programs designed to increase access to fresh produce

SOS anticipates getting grant applications on the web this fall. Find out more.

The Great American Dine Out is sponsored by Share Our Strength, the National Restaurant Association, Sysco food services, S.Pellegrino Sparkling Natural Mineral Water, Ecolab, the Food Network and USA Today.