When you enjoy a meal at a restaurant, eating becomes much more than a basic necessity of survival — it becomes a meditative experience. You might find yourself chewing your food a little more, alternating between bites of steak and sips of wine, and contemplating the complex tastes.
Someday, hopefully, everyone will get to sit down at a fancy restaurant and conduct their own food séance. Today, however, millions are still struggling to get food of any kind — yes, even in this country. According to Feeding America, more than 49.1 million people lived in food insecure households in 2013, including 15.8 million kids. 1 in 5 American children can’t count on their next meal, and 1 in 5 teachers say they regularly see kids come to school hungry.
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No Kid Hungry is a non-profit organization that seeks to eliminate childhood hunger in this
country. For the whole month of September, they are leading the nation in the Dine Out for No Kid Hungry initiative, through which restaurant goers can help raise money for children’s meals by simply dining out at participating restaurants. If you’re interested in helping this cause, take the pledge to dine out this September and visit NoKidHungry.org to find a participating restaurant near you.
The money you donate while dining out will go toward school breakfasts or summer meals for hungry children. It will also help low-income families find affordable ingredients and cook healthy meals, while inspiring action against hunger on a larger scale.
Last year, Dine Out for No Kid Hungry provided 89 million meals for children. Thanks to No Kid Hungry, 2 million more kids now enjoy breakfast at school. A meal may be a simple thing, but it can make a profound difference in a child’s life. Students who regularly start the day with a healthy breakfast see an average 17.5 percent increase in standardized math scores. There’s no telling where a child might end up, so long as she starts with a full belly.
Whether you’re a restaurateur or just a fella who likes to eat, consider participating in Dine Out for No Kid Hungry this September. It’s easy for restaurant proprietors to register with the program, and it’s even easier for restaurant goers to donate. After you participate, keep the love simmering by sharing your #NoKidHungry story. You can also visit NoKidHungry.org to learn about their many other initiatives. 
