The National Restaurant Association is calling on the nation’s nearly one million restaurant and foodservice outlets to apply for the 2009 Restaurant Neighbor Award, an annual award given to restaurants that exemplify the industry’s community support and philanthropic spirit.

The Association developed the award program to recognize restaurants for community service achievements; four national winners will each receive a $5,000 prize. The deadline to apply for the Award is June 5, 2009, and applicants may apply online at www.restaurant.org/community.

‘Now more than ever, we see a focus on community service and restaurants nationwide are heeding the call to service issued by opinion leaders and elected officials,’ said National Restaurant Association President and CEO Dawn Sweeney. ‘Philanthropy is at the very heart of the hospitality industry. We strongly encourage the nation’s nearly one million restaurants to share their efforts with us and be recognized for the wonderful work they do.’

The Restaurant Neighbor Award honors charitable contributions in four categories (small business, mid-size business, large business/national chain, and Cornerstone Humanitarian). Each participating state restaurant association will select winners in their respective states that will compete with winners from other states for the national award.

Restaurants may apply on their own behalf, and employees, patrons, and other members of the community may work with a local restaurant to apply for the award. The four national winners will be presented the awards this September in Washington, D.C.

The 2008 Restaurant Neighbor Award recipients:

Small Business: Barry’s Cafe, Raleigh, N.C.
Mid-size Business: Keystone Apple, Mechanicsburg, Pa.
Large Business: Chili’s Grill & Bar, Dallas
Cornerstone Humanitarian: V&J Holding Companies Inc., Milwaukee, Wis.