The SoCal Restaurant Brand to Donate $5 for each “Meals for 2” Purchased on Tuesday, September 10 with Proceeds Benefitting Food Banks in the Four Southern California Counties

Stonefire Grill is on a mission to raise awareness about a global epidemic sweeping the country – food insecurity. During September’s Hunger Awareness Month, Stonefire Grill will implement a company-wide initiative from opening until closing on September 10, Hunger Action Day, with all 12 locations donating $5 for every “Meal for 2” purchased. Guests can choose to dine-in or take-out as well as make using their local food bank’s online portal.

Meals for 2 are available for a limited time and include a choice of a half tri-tip, shareable garden or Caesar salad and a personal side dish. Or select the half-grilled chicken with a 10-ounce tri-tip plus a barbecue chopped salad. Both meals, offered at $34.99 each, include four freshly baked bread sticks and feed two people.

As guests satisfy their basic need for nourishment by enjoying Stonefire Grill’s “Meal for 2,” they’re also helping to feed those who are having difficulty putting food on the table for themselves and/or their families. While many are mindful that food insecurity is on the rise, few people are aware of the alarming statistics. The most recent data illustrates the ongoing economic and social challenges many are facing, including:

· More than 35 million people face hunger in America each day affecting people of all races, ages, genders and affiliations.
· According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) data, approximately 10.2% of U.S. households experienced food insecurity at some point last year ranging from reduced food intake to eating patterns disrupted.
· Economic hardship is often associated with food insecurity with those living below the poverty line most affected accounting for 26.6% of households affected in this group.
· Geographically, states in the southern and western regions tend to have the highest rates of food insecurity compared to those elsewhere in the U.S.

“We’ve been intentional about making food insecurity our mission and bringing awareness to the seriousness of this growing problem,” said David Youngberg, CEO of Stonefire Grill, who spent part of his vacation working at the Maui Food Bank this past summer. “It sounds cliché, but many people are just a paycheck or two away from hardship. It’s important to keep the shelves of our foodbanks continuously stocked and, at the same time, eliminate any stigma for the people who rely on their services.”

Hunger Awareness Month and Hunger Action Day were established to educate the public, advocate for policy changes and encourage community involvement to help address the issues of hunger.

“The more we discuss this issue and bring it to light, the more people will understand the need to take action,” added Youngberg.

Stonefire Grill’s Los Angeles locations are raising money for the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, while the Orange County restaurants have partnered with Second Harvest Food Bank. Food Share will be supported by the company’s two locations in Ventura County, and the brand’s only Inland Empire restaurant, located in Rancho Cucamonga, will raise money on behalf of Feeding America Riverside/San Bernardino.