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Restaurant Industry Unites to End Childhood Hunger

Share Our Strength's Great American Dine Out™ Launches Sept. 21-28, 2008

Washington, DC — February 28, 2008 — Share Our Strength®, one of the nation’s leading organizations working to make sure no kid in America grows up hungry, today announced a new annual initiative — Share Our Strength’s Great American Dine Outtm, presented by American Express — a one-week event designed to rally the entire restaurant industry and encourage millions of consumers to dine out and end childhood hunger in America.

“No child in the wealthiest country in the world should ever go to bed hungry,” said Billy Shore, co-founder of Share Our Strength. “Sadly, it happens every day. In fact, one in every six children in America suffers from uncertain access to the healthy, nutritious foods they need to avoid the lifelong and devastating consequences of hunger.”

Restaurants participating in Share Our Strength’s Great American Dine Out will donate between 1%-5% of their sales during Sept. 21-28, 2008 to help support Share Our Strength’s work to increase and facilitate kids’ access to nutritious foods where they live, learn and play.

More than 1500 restaurants are already participating in the Great American Dine Out including Caribou Coffee, Joe’s Crab Shack, Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Mimi’s Cafe. Additionally, the campaign is endorsed by many of the country’s top chefs including Chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Tom Colicchio and industry executives Danny Meyer, Dick Rivera and Wally Doolin.

The Great American Dine Out is presented by American Express with support by the National Restaurant Association. Other supporters providing critical financial, promotional and marketing support include OpenTable, Fishbowl, Food Network, Nation’s Restaurant News and The Elliot Group.

“As a long-time supporter of Share Our Strength, we know the value of doing good while dining out.” said Curtis Wilson, Vice President & General Manager, TEI Restaurant Industries for American Express Merchant Services. “Together with our Cardmembers we are delighted to support this important cause and the generous restaurants and restaurateurs who are making such an important contribution.”

“Restaurants are truly cornerstones of their local communities as well as of the nation, and more than nine out of 10 actively participate in efforts to make a difference for those in need,” said Dawn Sweeney, President and CEO of the National Restaurant Association. “We are proud to partner with Share Our Strength and American Express for the Great American Dine Out and encourage all our members to be part of this initiative to help end childhood hunger in America. This is a great opportunity for restaurant operators, staff and patrons nationwide to get involved and work together through culinary channels to help ensure that no child goes hungry.”

To register or for more information about Share Our Strength’s Great American Dine Out, please visit www.greatamericandineout.org.

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