Gov. declares Restaurant Recognition Day

Sunday, Sept. 20, has been proclaimed New Hampshire Restaurant Recognition Day by Gov. John Lynch, part of the second annual nationwide Great American Dine Out Week.

From Sept. 20 to 26, restaurants in New Hampshire and nationwide will be donating a portion of the proceeds from each male they serve meal to help end childhood hunger in America.

Participating New Hampshire restaurants include T-Bones locations in Bedford, Derry, Salem, Hudson, Manchester and Laconia, as well as both Cactus Jack’s locations in Manchester and Laconia. Ri-Ra Irish Pub and Restaurant in Portsmouth, will also be participating, as well as CJ’s Great West Grill in Manchester.

Mike Somers, president of the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association, predicts that because of the state of the economy, this year’s Dine Out Week won’t be the biggest one yet.

“It should still be reasonably successful,” said Somers. “It really is a great event to help childhood hunger. It is very positive.”

The event is put on by Share Our Strength, an organization committed to ending childhood hunger in America by working to increase access to healthy food options and nutrition programs for those in need.

According to the Share Our Strength’s Web site, 12.6 million kids are at risk of hunger in America and 16 million qualify for summer meals, but don’t receive them. Also, 9.6 million eligible kids don’t get free or reduced price school breakfasts. — LAURA CHAMBERLAIN/NEW HAMPSHIRE BUSINESS REVIEW