Dine Out, help out

National hunger relief group Share Our Strength organizes the national "Great American Dine Out," held this year Sept. 20-26. To date, the group says, more than 1,200 restaurants have signed up to participate by donating a portion of their proceeds in that week, including all in the Harper's Restaurant Group and plenty more (go here for more). Food Network star Aaron McCargo Jr. ("Big Daddy's House") is spokesman for this year's event.

Says SOS founder Bill Shore: "We were heartened by the generosity and commitment of the restaurant industry and diners last year. Our hope is to continue this program every year until every child in America has access to nutritious food where they live, learn and play." The group estimates that each year, more than 12 million kids in this country, one in every six, worry about when their next meal will come.