Rubio's Helps Fight Hunger - Yours and Needy Children's Across America

By: Rubio's Restaurants | 1 Shares 108 Reads

Rubio's to Donate $1 to Share Our Strength(R) for Every Grilled Gourmet Taco(SM) Plate Sold During Great American Dine Out

SALT LAKE CITY // GLOBE NEWSWIRE // -- Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill(R) (Nasdaq:RUBO) is continuing its fight against childhood hunger by participating in the Great American Dine Out, September 20-26. Rubio's, known for its Baja-influenced fresh Mexican fare, will doanate $1 to Share Our Strength for every Grilled Gourmet Taco Plate sold that week at its nearly 200 locations. Rubio's will kick off local efforts by treating area schools to fresh food from Rubio's menu. Share Our Strength's Great American Dine Out is a national event that helps raise much-needed funds for organizations in communities across America that are working to end childhood hunger.

"We hope to raise $25,000 through the sale of our Grilled Gourmet Tacos, for the children within our neighborhoods who may be going without food," says Ralph Rubio, chairman and co-founder of the popular fast-casual chain that got its start in 1983 in San Diego, California. "The thought of living in the midst of children who may not have enough to eat is incomprehensible. That's why all our restaurants in California, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado and Utah are inviting people in their communities to enjoy our Grilled Gourmet Taco Plates and at the same time support an effort that strives to feed hungry kids in America."

Rubio's menu includes four varieties of Grilled Gourmet Tacos including chargrilled steak or chicken, garlic herb shrimp, and grilled Portabello mushrooms and Poblano peppers. Each one has a three cheese blend toasted right onto its warm corn tortilla, a tangy habanero salsa, a creamy chipotle picante sauce, and slices of fresh Hass avocado.

According to Share Our Strength, each year more than 12 million children in America (one in six) worry about when their next meal will come. Households with children are nearly twice as likely to use food banks as those without children. Donations to the Great American Dine Out fund local organizations that provide food to children and their families, serve as a link to food services, and educate families about nutrition --especially among underserved populations.

"The thought of childhood hunger is heart-breaking, because it has long-term effects on our nation's children," added Rubio.

Poor nutrition causes children to have weakened immune systems, impeded growth and development, more stomach- and headaches, increased colds and ear infections, a susceptibility to obesity and impaired performance at school, reports Share Our Strength.

Nationally more than 4,000 different restaurants participated in the first Great American Dine Out in 2008, raising more than $500,000 through donations from the week's restaurant sales, direct donations from customers and restaurant suppliers, and through restaurant promotions.

About Rubio's(R) Restaurants, Inc. (Nasdaq:RUBO)

The first Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill(R) was opened in 1983 in the San Diego area by Ralph Rubio and his father, Ray. Rubio's is credited with introducing fish tacos to Southern California and starting a phenomenon that has spread coast to coast. Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, Rubio's operates, licenses, or franchises nearly 200 restaurants in California, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada and Utah. Each restaurant design is reminiscent of the relaxed, warm and inviting atmosphere of Baja California, a coastal state of Mexico.

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