Corporate Citizenship and #NoKidHungry

Sharlyn Lauby

4 May 2011

Years ago, I wrote a whitepaper on Corporate Citizenship. It’s the simple concept of corporate entities being committed to doing good in society. While our organizations exist to make money, it’s about spending some of our money in a way that benefits the society we live in.

According to the Society for Human Resource Management, organizations go through different phases of corporate citizenship – ranging from supporting a wide variety of programs to focusing on a long-term strategic commitment toward a small handful of causes.

I believe it’s possible that individuals go thru these same phases. In fact, earlier this year, Mr. Bartender and I made a few “strategic” decisions about the causes we wanted to support. And one of them is Share Our Strength.

Share Our Strength is an organization committed to ending childhood hunger in America. Did you know that 1 in 4 children in the U.S. will face hunger this year? Without the security of knowing where their next meal will come from, some children lack the energy to learn, grow and thrive. These children are our future workforce, politicians and business leaders.

This week marks the kickoff for Share Our Strength’s Dine Out for No Kid Hungry. This event, to be held September 18-24, encourages you to enjoy a meal with family and friends at one of your favorite participating restaurants. In turn, the monies raised will connect kids with nutritious food where they live, learn and play. Last year, over 4,000 restaurants joined Share Our Strength’s sponsors and partners to raise more than $1.5 million for the Dine Out For No Kid Hungry^™!

This year, the goal is to raise $3 million dollars through 5,000 participating restaurants. We’d like to ask your help to rally your favorite restaurant to participate in this year’s event. More details and registration information can be found at DineOutforNoKidHungry.org/Register. If your favorite places already participate, that’s great! Enjoy a nosh!

Today, Share Our Strength is also hosting an all-day twEAT OUT for the Dine Out for No Kid Hungry! If you’re out on social media, let’s work together and grab the attention of some restaurants. If you can, just send one tweet. Here’s an example:

Everyone has a fave restaurant. Ask YOURS to join @Dine_Out for #NoKidHungry. http://nokidhungry.org/dineout

Or leave a post on a restaurant’s Facebook page:

Will you join the Dine Out for No Kid Hungry? If you do, I promise to eat at your restaurant that week and I’ll bring friends! www.dineoutfornokidhungry.org.

Whenever I write these kind of “rally” posts, I’m reminded of a quote from Margaret Mead.

A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.

Let’s be that small group of people and rally our networks to help end childhood hunger in America! Anything you can do is most appreciated. Thank you so much!