Native New Yorker Embraces Holiday Giving Spirit through Support of 23rd Annual W. Steven Martin's Police Toy Drive and United Food Bank

GILBERT, Ariz., Dec. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Sports-themed family restaurant franchise Native New Yorker announced today it is helping ensure every area child receives a toy this holiday season by joining W. Steven Martin and his 23rd Annual Police Toy Drive. The company's locations are also a donation center for the United Food Bank, a nonprofit organization that distributes food through a network of partner agencies in eastern Maricopa County, Gila & Pinal Counties and southern Apache & Navajo Counties.

Toy drop-off and food collection bins are currently positioned at all 21 Native New Yorker restaurants located throughout Arizona through December 22nd.  Additionally, the restaurants are selling $5 raffle tickets for the Police Toy Drive through December 22nd to win a 42" flat screen television. Proceeds from the raffles will be used to purchase electronics and other age-appropriate toys for children aged 15-17 who are often underserved by donations that might focus on younger children.

The W. Steven Martin Police Toy Drive will conduct a motorcycle ride on December 19th that will begin at its central toy warehouse located in Chandler, Arizona. Riders will make various stops throughout the area along the way including participating merchants and other Phoenix locations.

Toys collected from Native New Yorker and other participating merchants are held at the toy drive's central warehouse. On December 23rd and 24th, police officers from various departments will "shop" at the central warehouse and then deliver thousands of toys to needy children throughout the greater Phoenix area. Many of the toys will be delivered to children who are unfortunate victims of crime or who have witnessed the trauma of parents or other caregivers being arrested. Collected food will be picked up by the United Food Bank and distributed throughout its partner networks.

"We are very pleased to continue our relationship with W. Steven Martin and the United Food Bank," said Sherri Lind, Vice President of Native New Yorker.  "At Native New Yorker we strive to be more than just a provider of award-winning wings and other food. We are truly concerned about our communities, and sincerely appreciate all of the toy and food donations our patrons will provide, and look forward to brightening the holiday season for thousands of children and needy families throughout Arizona."

The W. Steven Martin Toy Drive was established in 1987 to support Phoenix-area law enforcement, military and fire personnel, and hospitals and churches. The organization relies completely on area volunteers for warehousing and collection of toys, and also on sponsorship contributions from local merchants.

Additional information about the motorcycle ride and other W. Steven Martin Toy Drive activities can be found at www.policetoydrive.com.

Since 1983, the United Food Bank has provided hunger relief and food assistance by acquiring, storing and distributing food and related commodities. For more information, visit www.unitedfoodbank.org.

For more information about Native New Yorker, visit www.nativenewyorker.com.

About Native New Yorker

Founded in 1979 and headquartered in Gilbert, Arizona, Native New Yorker is one of the fastest growing franchise restaurants featuring award-winning Buffalo-style chicken wings and traditional American sports-grill favorites. Winning numerous local, regional and statewide dining awards along the way, the restaurant has grown from one location into 21 popular sports-themed restaurants in Arizona. For more information, visit www.nativenewyorker.com.

SOURCE Native New Yorker