You are encouraged to dine out for kids participating in the Communities In Schools programs across Georgia and here in Floyd County.  All Waffle Houses in Georgia will be participating in Dine Out For Kids on Tuesday, September 16 by donating a portion of proceeds throughout the day FROM WAFFLE SALES. Consider dining at one here in the Rome/Floyd County area and ordering a waffle or two to support the at-risk kids that CIS serves. You can also select from three other areas restaurants participating in the program in Rome:

• Bistro 239
  239 Broad Street, Rome
• Harvest Moon Cafe
  234 Broad Street, Rome
• Wow Cafe & Wingery
  2817 Martha Berry Hwy, Rome
  

There are also prizes available to those who participate through the Dine Out website at dineoutforkids.com.  There will be drawings for $50 gas cards, $50 Krogers cards, $50 gas card, restaurant gift certificates, and a Renaissance Atlanta Hotel downtown one-night weekend gift certificate with complimentary breakfast for two.  Participants must send in a copy of your dining receipt from one of the participating Waffle Houses (must order waffles) or participating local restaurants with your name, mail and email address postmarked by September 23 to be eligible to win.  Mail dining receipt to Communities In Schools of Georgia, DOFK, 600 W. Peachtree St., Suite 1200, Atlanta, GA 30308.  

Dine out for Kids is an initiative that was developed by CIS of Charlotte in North Carolina. The program is a fundraiser that provides needed support to local and state CIS offices so that they can continue their work of helping kids succeed in school and prepare for life.  It’s no secret that the dropout phenomenon in this country is at epidemic proportions. These dropouts create tremendous burdens on our economy. Together we can make a difference in at-risk students’ lives.  DOFK provides an opportunity for restaurateurs and sponsors to support at-risk students in their community by donating a portion of the profits from breakfast, lunch and/or dinner to CIS on a specified date.  For individuals in communities, DOFK provides an opportunity to support local and state CIS programs by dining out on the specified DOFK date.  Proceeds from the event will allow CIS to continue to provide after-school, youth leadership, literacy, parent education and other pertinent programs in our community. 

CIS is the nation’s leading community-based organization helping kids stay in school and prepare for life. For 28 years, CIS has successfully connected needed community resources to schools. It’s done through partnerships with local schools districts, business leaders, community organizations, government, social service providers and others. CIS believes that a community development approach to supporting education (by unifying the full resources of the community) is an efficient and cost-effective way to improve the high school graduation rate and prepare students for life.

CIS believes that every child needs and deserves these “Five Basics”:

• A one-on-one relationship with a caring adult
• A safe place to learn and grow
• A healthy start and a healthy future
• A marketable skill to use upon graduation
• A chance to give back to peers and community

Nationally, nearly two million students have access to services through CIS. Communities sponsoring CIS programs have seen an increase in their high school graduation rates, a decrease in violence and disruptions, and an increase in attendance and academic achievement. Key programs include Performance Learning Centers®, mentoring, parent education, literacy, technology, youth leadership development, and after school and extended-hours activities.

To find out more about the program, visit dineoutforkids.com.