Step to the plate for United Way

The United Way of Greater Niagara is urging the community to go out and have a great meal for a great cause.

The United Way is sponsoring the first "Feast for Niagara" in partnership with restaurants from throughout Niagara County. The one-day event will take place on Wednesday, March 30, and participating restaurants will donate a percentage of their receipts for the day to support United Way programs and services.

"Many families and friends reconnect by sharing a meal together," said Carol Houwaart-Diez, president, United Way of Greater Niagara. " 'Feast for Niagara' is an opportunity for people to not only get out and enjoy a meal together, but also to support Niagara County restaurants and our friends and neighbors from throughout the county who depend on United Way-sponsored programs and services at the same time."

Among the areas that United Way-supported programs focus on are educational and recreational programs for area youth; programs that provide emergency shelter and food; and programs that assist the unemployed and underemployed in finding job opportunities. Each year, more than 80,000 people benefit from nearly 75 programs, which the United Way supports across the county.

Interested restaurants are asked to contact Becki Schicker, the United Way's director of community engagement, at 285-8461.

For more information, visitwww.uwgn.org.