Date: October 19, 2005
National Restaurant Association Recognizes Runza Restaurants for Extraordinary
Program Committed to Children, Community Nebraska restaurant receives Restaurant
Neighbor Award; Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE)attended the award ceremony
Washington DC-
(Washington, DC) The National Restaurant Association today announced that Runza
Restaurants in Lincoln, Neb., was named the winner of the large business category
of the Association's seventh annual Restaurant Neighbor Award for its "Great
Books for Great Kids" campaign. The restaurant was presented the award and a
prize of $5,000 to continue its community outreach by U.S. Senator Ben Nelson
(D-NE) during the Association's 20th annual Public Affairs Conference in Washington,
DC. The national award aims to inspire restaurants to become involved with their
local communities by honoring those who made extraordinary efforts. "We commend
Runza Restaurants for its commitment to literacy and for donating tens of thousands
of dollars to allow children in the community opportunities to have a greater
selection of books at their schools and libraries," said Steven C. Anderson,
Association president and chief executive officer. "All of the locations and
Runza's employees put their heart and soul into the annual ‘Great Books for
Great Kids' campaign. Their efforts exemplify the widespread philanthropy of
the restaurant industry, with nine out of 10 restaurants are actively involved
in charitable activities." "Runza Restaurants' long-standing support of literacy-related
causes and partnership with learning institutions have opened new opportunities
and improved the quality of life for the youth of our communities," said Jim
Partington, executive director of the Nebraska Restaurant Association. "This
generosity of spirit and resources is also reflected in Runza's strong support
for a broad spectrum of philanthropic and charitable activities at the corporate
and local level wherever they do business. Runza Restaurants represents the
epitome of responsible corporate citizenship and leadership. We are pleased
and proud that they have been selected as the National Restaurant Association
Restaurant Neighbor Award winner for 2005." Not every child has access to good
books, but thanks to Runza Restaurants, more children in Nebraska, Colorado,
Kansas and Iowa do. Since the restaurant company started the "Great Books for
Great Kids" campaign in 2002, it has donated more than $45,000 to buy books
for area schools, foundations and libraries. The annual fundraiser is a much-anticipated
event, and this year students will have the opportunity to design and create
their own tray liners, which will be used at Runza locations. While the "Great
Books for Great Kids" campaign is a company-wide initiative, every Runza location
has input into where the funds will be allocated, depending on the need. Managers
are encouraged to use their school partnerships to promote the event, as well
as work with the school to schedule visits and volunteer to read to children.
The "Great Books for Great Kids" campaign goes beyond fundraising and financial
contributions to help schools and libraries purchase new books. In June of this
year, Runza locations in Lincoln, Omaha, mid-Nebraska and surrounding communities
conducted a book drive, collecting and donating more than 2,500 books to child
advocacy centers, literacy organizations and summer reading programs. In addition
to the fundraising campaign and book drive, the Runza chain has coordinated
literacy days, offered books as kid's meal prizes, participated in school partnerships
and worked with area schools and libraries on reading incentives and summer
programs. Runza is also actively involved in donating time, money and food to
various national and local organizations, including: Lincoln Community Playhouse,
Junior Achievement, American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Homestead Girl Scout
Council, American Red Cross, Folsom Children's Zoo, Cystic Fibrosis Association,
Lincoln Food Bank, Omaha Police Union, Brush Up Nebraska Paint-a-thon, and the
Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. Restaurants from each participating state were
selected to compete for the national Restaurant Neighbor Award (large business
and small business categories) and the Cornerstone Humanitarian of the Year,
which is awarded to an individual who is an exemplary model of one who is personally
dedicated to community service. This year, a new category was added, the national
corporate category, to recognize multi-unit restaurant companies for nationwide
efforts. The national winners each receive $5,000 to help continue its community
programs. A profile of the community-service efforts of each national and state
winner will be highlighted in a booklet, as well as on the Association's Web
site, www.restaurant.org/community. American Express is the founding partner
of the program. "American Express is proud to be the founding partner of the
National Restaurant Association's Restaurant Neighbor Award and recognize restaurants
that go above and beyond in community service," said Hans Lindh, vice president,
Restaurant Industry Group, American Express. "Restaurants are often among the
first to reach out to those in need, like so many did in the wake of Hurricane
Katrina, and help mobilize local communities to raise funds and donate food."
The 2005 Restaurant Neighbor Award small business winner is Palmer Place Restaurant
in LaGrange, Ill., and the national corporate winner is Arby's, LLC, in Atlanta,
Ga. The winner of the Cornerstone Humanitarian of the Year is Bruno Serato of
Anaheim White House in Anaheim, Calif. For more information on Runza Restuarants,
Palmer Place Restaurant, Arby's, LLC, and Bruno Serato, or the Restaurant Neighbor
Award, please contact the National Restaurant Association at media@dineout.org
or (202) 973-3677, or visit the Association's Web site at www.restaurant.org/community.
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