CRAEF, Habit Burger Grill team to raise funds for foundation's Enhanced ProStart program

(SACRAMENTO, Aug. 2, 2010) – The California Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (CRAEF) has teamed with the Habit Burger Grill to raise money and awareness about the foundation at the Western Foodservice and Hospitality Expo Aug. 14-16 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

The foundation’s campaign, “Make it a Habit to Support CRAEF,” will include rewarding attendees who donate at least $5 with vouchers for a free Charburger with cheese at any of the Irvine-based company’s 35 locations across California.

“At the Habit, we are committed to doing our part and participating in the community any way we can, and it is with great pleasure that we are able to support CRAEF’s efforts at the upcoming trade show,” said Russ Bendel, president and CEO of the Habit Burger Grill. “The foundation’s mission not only helps high school students find direction in their lives, it also cultivates the next generation of foodservice industry professionals.”

Habit Burger Grill has donated thousands of vouchers to ensure the success of the effort. In addition, the company beefed up their donation with a $3,000 cash gift to go toward CRAEF’s Enhanced ProStart program, which provides adopted schools with expanded curriculum, field trips, paid internships, guest speakers, job shadowing, competition costs, ServSafe certification, equipment, supplies and food.

Three Los Angeles-area high schools have already been identified by CRAEF as Enhanced ProStart schools: Santee Education Complex, Dorsey High School and Bell Gardens High School. Overall, these schools have a student population with a majority who receive free and reduced lunch, have more than 50 percent dropout rates and are in gang-infested and low-income communities. CRAEF is working to secure funding to establish more Enhanced ProStart schools across the state.

“So many students who participate in ProStart will benefit from the generosity of attendees at the Western Foodservice and Hospitality Expo,” CRAEF Executive Director Alycia Harshfield said. “We truly need the support of the entire industry to succeed, and we’re ecstatic to have a fantastic company like the Habit behind us.”

Stop by booth No. 1901 at WFHE to learn more. Interview opportunities with ProStart instructors and students, as well as CRAEF staff, are available.

About the California Restaurant Association Educational Foundation: CRAEF has awarded more than $1 million in scholarships and grants since its inception in 1981. CRAEF works to enhance education and training programs within the hospitality industry. ProStart is a two-year program designed to prepare high school juniors and seniors for exciting careers in foodservice.