Restaurant.com Takes Giving to Whole New Level, $30 Million in 30 Days, People 'Feed It Forward' for Free

Initiative to Defy Economic Downturn, Pass Along Free Restaurant Gift Certificates Nationwide

We know what it feels like to give and the timing is right now for us to do our part

Arlington Heights, Ill. (PRWEB) November 26, 2008 -- Economic woes can mean a struggle for individuals, families and businesses to make ends meet. A down economy also has the potential to deprive people of the gift of giving, a harsh reality during the time of year when giving matters most. Restaurant.com announced today an effort to support the act of giving--enabling people to pass on $1 million worth of restaurant gift certificates at no cost, every day for the next 30 days--as part of an initiative called, "Feed It Forward."

The Feed It Forward initiative is built upon a single giving Web site that is stocked with a total of three million, $10 Restaurant.com gift certificates totaling $30 million.

"We can let recent setbacks dampen our holiday spirit, or we can choose to stand up, give from the heart and brighten the days of many people near and far," said Cary Chessick, chief "giving guru" at Restaurant.com. "People are challenged right now to get what they need for themselves let alone for others. We want to enable a nationwide giving movement and 'feeding frenzy' that runs contrary to all of the negative talk surrounding the economy."

The "Feed It Forward" initiative is built upon a single giving Web site, www.Restaurant.com/FeedItForward, stocked with a total of three million, $10 Restaurant.com gift certificates totaling $30 million. The site will be live through Christmas day and allows consumers to go online to give gift certificates to friends, family, co-workers and people who might not otherwise make their holiday gift list. On a first come, first serve basis, gift givers choose who to give to and gift recipients then decide where to dine among the more than 5,000 participating Restaurant.com restaurants nationwide.

To send free $10 gift certificates, gift givers simply enter their name and email address, as well as information for the people they wish to give to--as many as three people each day for the length of the initiative. They can go to the giving site every day and share gift certificates with people, who can also join in the giving effort.

People can share a brief story, a note of endearment or gratitude for why they are giving. The site will feature some of these messages of appreciation on the home page. When people "feed it forward" and give away gift certificates, a U.S. map displayed on the site will depict the areas of the country where the giving is happening.

Supporting the initiative are leading companies, which like Restaurant.com, believe the gift of giving will inspire hope and bring people together during challenging times. Upromise, the college savings rewards company, is the lead sponsor. Other companies backing the effort include CashnetUSA.com (http://www.cashnetusa.com), a leading provider of cash advance loans, and Ted's Montana Grill a classic American grill serving fresh, made-from-scratch dishes in a relaxed setting of casual luxury.

"We know what it feels like to give and the timing is right now for us to do our part," said Chessick. "There is absolutely no cost for giving through the site. So, please give to families. Give to friends. Give to neighbors. Give to grandparents. Give to co-workers, but most of all, give."    

Individuals nationwide have equal opportunity to give the free gift certificates away while the quantity lasts. Individuals can visit www.Restaurant.com/FeedItForward to participate and learn more about the "Feed It Forward" initiative.

EDITOR'S NOTE: To see full press kit please go to the Restaurant.com Press Center at http://press.restaurant.com/press_kits.cfm?presskit_id=50.

About Restaurant.com
Restaurant.com connects restaurant seekers and food lovers to savings at more than 9,000 restaurants nationwide and to various online retailers. As the nation's leading online directory of restaurants and restaurant gift certificate provider, the company brings people together to relax, converse and enjoy well-prepared and -served meals at affordable prices. Restaurant.com has operated since 1999 and is based in Arlington Heights, Ill.

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