Restaurants across Wisconsin are stepping forward to raise funds to aide the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Hundreds of Wisconsin restaurants are participating in “Dine for America” on October 5th, where restaurants nationwide are joining together to raise money for the American Red Cross Katrina Relief fund.

Many restaurants are donating a percentage of their sales for the day, while others are donating proceeds from the sales of particular menu items or a dollar amount per customer. To date, 305 restaurants in Wisconsin are participating in Dine for America, however that number is growing every day as more restaurants join the cause.

“Helping to raise money for Hurricane Katrina relief is as easy as going out to eat,“ says Steve Davis, Wisconsin Restaurant Association Chairman of the Board and owner of Ardy & Ed’s Drive-in located in Oshkosh. “Everyone can help by dining out at a participating restaurant on October 5th. “ A complete list of participating restaurants is available on the Dine for America website at www.dineforamerica.org to help guests find a participating restaurant in their neighborhood on October 5th. A few restaurants are holding events on a different day. For example, Ardy & Ed’s Drive-In closes for the season before October 5th so their event is on October 1-2. “I am proud that so many of my fellow restaurateurs are joining this effort to help provide relief to victims of this devastating disaster,” says Davis.

Dine for America is a grassroots effort that was born in the wake of September 11 when restaurants and their employees wanted to come together to help people affected by the attacks. The 2001 Dine for America event raised more than $20 million and was the 2nd largest post-September 11 fundraiser. “Once again our fellow Americans are in need in the wake of a national catastrophe and the restaurant industry is responding to that need,” says Ed Lump, President and CEO of the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.

Dine for America on October 5th is expected to bring the largest participation of restaurants to collectively raise funds and is expected to raise millions of dollars nationwide for Hurricane Katrina relief.

100% of the funds raised through Dine for America will be donated directly to the American Red Cross to bring much needed help to the thousands impacted by the destruction of Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf South.

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Since 1933, the Wisconsin Restaurant Association has been dedicated to the promotion, protection and improvement of the foodservice industry.