March 27-Share Our Strength's second annual Great American Dine Out is now recruiting non-commercial foodservice operators, along with restaurants, to raise funds for childhood hunger.
The Great American Dine Out is a weeklong national event that collects donations from thousands of eateries-from coffee shops to fine dining restaurants, and now non-commercial foodservice. In 2008, the Great American Dine Out raised more than $50,000. Donations can be made from the week's sales, directly from customers or suppliers, and through the operation's own promotions.
This year, Food Network's Aaron McCargo, Jr. has been named spokesperson for the event. McCargo, 2008 winner of The Next Food Network Star, has experience in non-commercial foodservice-he served as executive catering chef at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. Registration is open until Sept. 1. To register, visit greatamericandineout.org.
"We are asking millions of consumers and thousands of restaurants to help us fight childhood hunger," Billy Shore, co-founder and executive director of Share Our Strength, said in a press release. "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."