Inaugural StandUp for Kids Event at Max’s Deli a huge success

Over $3,000 raised at Mac and Cheese Competition to benefit homeless youth

HIGHLAND PARK, IL (December 3, 2013) – Over 300 people crowded into Max’s Deli on November 26 for the inaugural Mac & Cheese tasting for StandUp For Kids, a non-profit organization dedicated to end youth homelessness through national and local outreach. Guests dined on a variety of Mac & Cheese prepared by local restaurants, toasted S’mores and learned more about problems facing homeless youth in Chicago. Over $3,000 was raised, setting the bar high for an annual competition moving forward!

"Our goal for the Mac and Cheese Event was to raise awareness of Teen Homelessness in Chicagoland,” says Brian Russell the Executive Director of the organization. “We were overwhelmed and surprised with the incredible unsolicited donations we received in simple two hour awareness event and we look forward to making this an annual event."

Six local restaurants participated in a Mac & Cheese taste off – Bluegrass of Highland Park, Dunlays on Clark, Tap House Grill, The Smoke Daddy, Real Urban Barbecue and Dinosaur BBQ of Northfield. The Smoke Daddy was the favorite of both the judges and people attending the event.

“We were happy to host this great event to raise money for StandUp for Kids,” says Joey Morelli, owner of Max’s Deli and a member of the board of the organization. “We are already putting some of the funds to good use. I used some of the money raised to make Kung Pao Chicken for 25 plus homeless teens yesterday thanks to the generous donations.”

Judges for the event were Highwood Mayor Charlie Pecaro, “Off the Eaten Path” blogger Monte LeMonte, ChicagoNow Blogger Sheila Quirk who writes the “Mary Tyler Mom” blog and Tom Hayden of StandUp for Kids.

Over the course of a year, approximately 26,000 youth in Illinois, and 15,000 youth in Chicago experience homelessness. With the approaching colder weather, the organization is working tirelessly to promote the local outreach center as a safe haven for kids. Volunteers are already hitting the streets hard to pass out hot meals, provide socks, hats, mittens, coats, and more so that these homeless children can survive the winter season. Every dollar earned through this Mac & Cheese Competition will go toward support and supplies for homeless youth.

ABOUT STANDUP FOR KIDS

StandUp For Kids is a non-profit volunteer organization whose mission is to provide crisis intervention and basic survival necessities for at-risk and homeless youth through national and local outreach. Violence and abuse are unfortunately increasingly common within families and communities, and there are now 1.3 million homeless and street kids. StandUp For Kids offers an abundance of services, complete anonymity, and ensures that youth do not have to feel alone in dealing with their problems. The mission is to end the cycle of youth homelessness throughout the United States. For more information, visit http://www.standupforkids.org/, email contact@standupforkids.org, or call 1-800-365-4KID.

ABOUT MAX’S DELICATESSEN AND RESTAURANT

With a rich history having been in business over 25 years, Max’s Deli serves up a fine pastrami sandwich that was voted “Best in Town” by Chicago Magazine.  Run by Greg and Joey Morelli, brothers that refer to themselves fondly as “the Food Fight Brothers, Max’s also offers deli favorites, homemade soups, breakfast all day, and full-service catering. Often referred to as Chicago’s New York Deli, Max’s has recently added Wi-Fi, Intelligencia Coffee and created healthier options from standard deli fare. Now, they even have some options for the family dog. For more information please visit their website at www.maxs-deli.com or call 847.831.0600.