Sep 03, 2009
Harpers Group Joins Great American Dine Out
Charlotte-based Harper's Restaurant Group is pleased to announce their participation in Share Our Strength's Great American Dine Out, a week-long national restaurant event in cities across the United States. From September 20-26, 2009, thousands of restaurants, including all ten of the restaurants under the Harper's Restaurant Group umbrella, 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 1,200 restaurants have already signed up for the 2009 Great American Dine Out.
Tom Sasser, president of Harper's Restaurant Group said, "We are pleased to participate in this important event aimed at eliminating childhood hunger. Over the past 13 years we have been closely aligned with Share our Strength and Taste of the Nation and this is yet another way for restaurants to join together and give back to the community."
Sasser said that each of his restaurants including all four Harper's Restaurants, Harper's Grill, Harper's To Go Go, Upstream, M5 Modern Mediterranean, Mimosa Grill and Zink. American Kitchen will each donate a portion of their proceeds during the week in support of ending childhood hunger.
"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 Sparkling Natural Mineral Water, Ecolab, the Food Network, USA Today and The National Restaurant Association.
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, Aaron 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 Harper's Restaurant Group
Charlotte-based Harper's Restaurant Group is recognized as one of the Carolina's fastest growing and most critically-acclaimed restaurant companies. The Group owns, manages and operates 10 locations, including Upstream, M5-Modern Mediterranean, Mimosa Grill, Zink America Kitchen, Harper's To Go Go, four Harper's Restaurants and the new Harper's Grill throughout the Carolinas. For further information, contact Harper's Restaurant Group at 704.375.9715 or visit the website at HarpersRestaurants.com.
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.
