Area Restaurants, Nonprofits Serve Up Hunger Relief
Annual Thanksgiving in February Fundraising Event Raises Public Awareness and Critical Funds to Combat Growing Need in Montgomery County
(Rockville, MD) – In an effort to raise public awareness and critical funds to combat the growing issue of hunger in one of America’s wealthiest counties, Interfaith Works, along with its 11 partner nonprofits and more than 70 restaurants, is leading the Annual Thanksgiving in February fundraiser. On Tuesday, February 28th, participating restaurants will be donating 10-20% of their sales that will be distributed to these agencies that help provide emergency food to needy Montgomery County residents. That means anyone can help combat hunger by dining out at a participating restaurant on Feb. 28th.
Although hunger and poverty are often invisible in our affluent community, many of our neighbors are in need, and that need is growing. More than 40,000 children in Montgomery County public schools qualify for free and reduced-price meals. Last year, over 180,000 residents turned to local food banks for emergency food assistance. The “self-sufficiency” standard in Montgomery County for an average family of four is now up to $76,000, about four times higher than the federal poverty level.
Proceeds from the event are distributed by Interfaith Works to 11 local agencies and food banks that help feed the thousands of people in Montgomery County who are at-risk for hunger. Beneficiaries are Bethesda Cares, Bethesda HELP, Community Vision, Damascus HELP, Gaithersburg HELP, Germantown HELP, Manna Food Center, Mid-County United Ministries, Olney HELP, Rockville HELP, and WUMCO HELP.
Because of the high demand for assistance, this year’s event brings a greater sense of mission to it. Eager residents always call and email restaurants and Interfaith Works in order to choose their restaurant of choice, make reservations, and round up groups from their congregations, sports teams, clubs, offices and friends. And restaurant owners are looking forward to filling their tables on February 28th.
Jackie Leach, owner of GrillMarX Steakhouse in Olney, is a new restaurant participating in Thanksgiving in February this year. “One of our goals as a new restaurant was to first help our surrounding community,” she says, adding, “I think that Thanksgiving in February is a great way to show support not only to those in need, but to the hardworking volunteers that put it altogether!” Leach has supported several of the beneficiary agencies in the past and emphasized the high need for food and donations to support their programs. She and her staff are excited to see new patrons in support of this great cause.
Comcast and Whole Foods Markets, Montgomery County are sponsoring the program this year. Through Whole Foods’ Community Giving Day the Bethesda location will donate 5% of the day’s proceeds on February 28, 2012; and the other locations will be hosting a 1% day from proceeds of sandwich sales on the day of the event.
Visit www.thanksgivinginfebruary.org to find a complete listing of restaurants throughout the county where you can participate in Thanksgiving in February on Tuesday, February 28th, and dine out to help the hungry.
For more information or an interview with Interfaith Works’ Special Events & Communications Coordinator, D’ana Downing, call (301) 315-1101, ddowning@iworksmc.org.
For more information on Interfaith Works, contact:
Interfaith Works, Inc.
114 West Montgomery Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20850
www.iworksmc.org | T:(301) 762-8682 | F:(301) 762-8773
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