Today’s NRA Smartbrief newsletter features the following quote by John D. Rockefeller, Jr.: “Think of giving not as a duty but as a privilege.”

With that in mind, I’d like to return once more to a worthy cause that is specifically designed to engage restaurants, the Great American Dine Out, organized by Share Our Strength.  This group was highlighted today in a compelling little article on QSRMagazine’s website. Share Our Strength is a national campaign dedicated to wiping out childhood hunger in America.  And although money may be tight for a great many of us, it doesn’t take much to make a difference in the life of someone who truly needs the help.  Here are some “Quick Facts” from the QSRMag article:

The average monthly food stamp benefit is $93 per person—barely $1 per meal.

Households with children have a food insecurity rate almost double that of households without children, increasing their risk of hunger tremendously.

More than one-third of individuals served by food banks are children under 18.

$50 can help provide 48 preschool children with lunch for a day.

$85 can help provide a mother and her child with meals and shelter for a week.

$100 can help provide 25 bags of age-appropriate, nutritious foods for toddlers whose parents rely on Food Banks to properly feed their children.

$145 can help buy 70 bags of fresh fruits and vegetables for low-income families.

$500 can help provide a truckload of food to a food pantry to help serve an underprivileged community.

Sources: Share Our Strength (www.strength.org)

More information about Share Our Strength and the Great American Dine Out can be found within the article mentioned above or at Share Our Strength’s website.

For other community service-related ideas, check out this interesting post over at FohBoh.com.