Romano's Macaroni Grill® Helps Connect Kids To 3 Million Meals

DALLAS, Oct. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Romano's Macaroni Grill^® announced today it has surpassed its fundraising goal, by 200%, to help end childhood hunger in America.  By participating in Share Our Strength's Dine Out For No Kid Hungry^™ program this September, the company rallied fans in-restaurant and online to give back to the cause—raising more than $300,000 between September 1^st and 30^th, 2012. 

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121010/LA90153-INFO)

"Our campaign to support No Kid Hungry exceeded all expectations," said Romano's Macaroni Grill CEO, Norman Abdallah. "It rallied the nation to come together for an important cause, ultimately raising more than $300,000 and helping connect kids to as many as three million meals—triple what we had initially targeted."

A national sponsor, Romano's Macaroni Grill^® kicked off its participation in the No Kid Hungry campaign by pledging to help connect kids to 1 million meals with a nationwide "Give, Share, Tag" platform that included in-restaurant promotions, social sharing activations and a blogger call-to-action.  Guests donated funds in-restaurant, and Macaroni Grill helped connect a kid to a meal for every online social tag, share or tweet with #macgrillgive.

"The dedication and passion Romano's Macaroni Grill has brought to the No Kid Hungry campaign has been phenomenal," said Billy Shore, founder and CEO of Share Our Strength^®.  "The real dividend of course is in the results they have been able to achieve.   Through our No Kid Hungry campaign, one dollar can help connect a kid to up to 10 meals.  With the dedication and creative talent of companies like Romano's Macaroni Grill, who have empowered their work force and customers to take action against hunger, we know we can ensure that every child in America gets the food they need."

"Our guests and team members were the key to success in this vital mission to help end childhood hunger," said Romano's Macaroni Grill Chief Marketing Officer, Brandon Coleman III.  "We are deeply gratified to have helped No Kid Hungry connect kids to so many meals."   

For more information, please visit: macaronigrill.com/macgrillgive, like us: facebook.com/romanosmacaronigrill or follow us on twitter @macaronigrill

About Romano's Macaroni Grill^® 
Romano's Macaroni Grill is an Italian restaurant serving hand-crafted pastas and crave-able entrees in over 200 locations world-wide.  The restaurant blends 20 years of tradition, such as the honor system house wine, with progressive culinary inspiration from all regions of Italy and the U.S.  The casually-elegant atmosphere is comfortable for any occasion—from celebrating birthdays to celebrating Tuesdays. For more information, visit http://www.macaronigrill.com.

Share Our Strength's Dine Out For No Kid Hungry^™    
Share Our Strength's Dine Out For No Kid Hungry^™ is a national fundraising event that brings together thousands of restaurants and millions of consumers to help make sure no child in America grows up hungry.  Every September, participating restaurants raise funds in a variety of ways to support the No Kid Hungry^® campaign, Share Our Strength's^® national movement to end childhood hunger in America. Through Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry Campaign, $1 can help connect a child facing hunger to 10 meals. This amount is based on the individual experiences of Share Our Strength's grant recipients and is provided to illustrate how community investments can be used to help end childhood hunger. Share Our Strength's Dine Out For No Kid Hungry is nationally sponsored by Sysco, Romano's Macaroni Grill, American Express, Ecolab, ONEHOPE Wine, Food Network, Clear Channel and the National Restaurant Association. Visit DineOutForNoKidHungry.org. Share Our Strength is a non-profit 501c3 organization.

For more information, visit nokidhungry.org.

CONTACT: Marci Mollins, 310-691-4518, [email protected]

SOURCE Romano’s Macaroni Grill