Dining out Tuesday night to benefit Durham Communities in Schools

Looking for a good excuse to hit the town tomorrow for a meal out? Here's one: At select restaurants, part of the money you spend will go to benefit Communities in Schools (CIS) here in Durham.

CIS is active in a number of well-known local programs, including the successful backpack program to help with weekend hunger for underprivileged children (sponsored by Bayer CropScience), along with support for reading programs, school supply drives, and the Performance Learning Center alternative school completion program at Northgate.

A portion of your tab spent at these establishments tomorrow benefits CIS -- making it the easiest way to give to a great local charity tomorrow. Look behind the jump for a list of participating restaurants.

Benetis Restaurant (will donate 3/25) - 5410 Hwy 55, Ste. Q, Greenwood Commons
Blu Seafood and Bar - 2002 Hillsborough Rd.
Broad St. Café - 1116 Broad St.
Carolina Ale House - 3911 Durham Chapel Hill Blvd.
Elmo's Diner- 776 9th Street
Joe Van Gogh - 1104 Broad St.
Mad Hatter's Bake Shop - 1802 W. Main St.
Mez Contemporary Mexican - 5410 Page Rd.
Mount Fuji Asian Bistro, Sushi and Bar - 905 W. Main St., Ste. 21B
Parker and Otis - 112 S. Duke St.
The Original Q-Shack - 2510 University Drive
Red Robin - 5324 Durham Chapel Hill Blvd.
Rue Cler - 401 E. Chapel Hill St.
Satisfaction Restaurant - 905 W. Main St. , Ste. 37
Sitar Indian Cuisine - 3630 Durham Chapel Hill Blvd.
Spartacus - 4139 Chapel Hill Blvd.
Texas Roadhouse - 1809 N. Pointe Dr.
Thai Café - 2501 University Drive
Toast - 345 W. Main St.
Torero's Authentic Mexican Cuisine - 4125 Durham Chapel Hill Blvd.
Tyler's Taproom Durham - 324 Blackwell St., Ste.400

Comments

[TheDoGoodEater]

Okay, so not to be a Scrooge about this or anything but: WHAT PERCENTAGE do these retaurants intend to donate? Because if it's three cents on the dollar, frankly, I'd rather just give the program money directly and skip a night eating out.

It breaks my heart there is even a need for a program in Durham to send food home with kids over the weekend, by the way.

[Chris]

Agreed, could you let us know what percentage of the bill goes to CIS?

[NotTellin]

This is a cause in Durham that we feel very strong about and should all support, whether you dine out tomorrow or not. Our restaurant is donating 10% of total sales for the day tomorrow. You can also donate at their website: www.cisdurham.org.

[David McMullen]

I believe Elmo's typically donates 10% to this program - not completely sure about that, but that's the figure that comes to mind. You could always call and ask the particular restaurant you're interested in. It may vary from place to place.

[Chris B]

The last time I checked Elmo's was donating 10%.

[Bud]

The restaurants are contributing 5-10% of their sales for the day. The level they chose seemed to be related to how they are weathering the recession (all should be given A LOT of credit for participating during a recession).

CIS' programs have gotten great results - 22,000 pounds of food delivered to impoverished kids last year, 25 families when through our research-based parenting program and their kids' behavior significantly improved(the program also reduces later drug use and violence), 110 teens are getting a second shot at graduating at our nontraditional high school (run in partnership with DPS), and 80 kids who were reading below grade level were in our research-based summer reading program where we mail books to them weekly(otherwise low-income kids on average lose 2-3 months of reading over each summer).

[Dave]

Great way to support local students AND local restaurants during this tough time. I know I wouldn't normally be eating out tonight, but I will for this cause.