The Melting Pot Joins St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® for the Sixth Annual Thanks and Giving® Campaign

The Melting Pot Joins St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® for the Sixth Annual Thanks and Giving® Campaign

Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma Locations Donating to Kids in Need

Seattle, Wash.—(Nov. 5, 2009)— The Melting Pot Restaurants (www.meltingpot.com) join St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) in the sixth annual Thanks and Giving campaign from Oct. 31 through Dec. 5 to “give thanks for the healthy kids in your life, and give to those who are not” by donating a portion of proceeds to cancer research.

“The Pacific Northwest has a big heart for giving back, especially for kids,” said Lane Scelzi, owner of Washington Restaurant Group, which oversees four local Melting Pot locations. “Since we started the annual campaign in 2004, we have raised over $200,000 and are always excited to see that number growing every year.”

With every donation of $10 or more, guests will receive a Fondue for the Kids Card that offers $20 off any purchase of $50 or more. All proceeds from the Fondue for the Kids Card will be donated to St. Jude. The Melting Pot Restaurants also offer additional support for St. Jude with the ongoing Fondue a Cure for Childhood Cancer signature chocolate fondue bars. For each $5 bar purchased, $1 is given to the hospital.

Since becoming a partner in 2003, The Melting Pot Restaurants have raised more than $4 million for St. Jude to date.

“The children of St. Jude and their families are thrilled to have The Melting Pot Restaurants on board for the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Thanks and Giving campaign," said Marlo Thomas, national outreach director for St. Jude. "The Melting Pot Restaurants' dedication to this holiday campaign helps ensure that St. Jude can continue the lifesaving research and care that has brought hope to so many families."

This national campaign unites celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Robin Williams, Antonio Banderas and Jason Taylor with retail, corporate and media partners to help St. Jude continue its work in the fight against childhood cancer and other catastrophic childhood diseases. St. Jude is the nation’s leading pediatric cancer research and treatment center and the only one that covers all of the costs for medicine, treatment, food, travel and lodging for the patient and one family member. Eighty-five cents of each dollar received supports the research and treatment at St. Jude.

For more information or to make a donation, visit the Seattle, Bellevue or Tacoma Melting Pot locations or visit www.stjude.org, or call 1-800-4STJUDE. The Melting Pot chocolate fondue bars can also be purchased online at www.meltingpot.com.

About The Melting Pot Restaurants Inc.:
With 145 restaurants nationwide, existing locations in 37 states including the District of Columbia and 13 locations currently in development, The Melting Pot Restaurants Inc. is North America’s premier fondue restaurant franchise. At The Melting Pot, fondue becomes a memorable four-course dining experience where patrons can dip into something different. Guests enjoy a choice of four flavorful fondue cooking styles and a variety of unique entrées combined with special dipping sauces. The menu also includes cheese fondues, salads, fine wines and chocolate fondue desserts. Founded in 1975, The Melting Pot’s corporate headquarters are in Tampa, Fla. For more information, visit www.meltingpot.com or email info@meltingpot.com.

Washington Restaurant Group (W.R.G.) is the management group supporting The Melting Pot restaurants in the Pacific Northwest and San Diego, and Sip. at the wine bar & restaurant locations, as well as all future concepts. W.R.G.’s management office is located at 1011 N.E. High St., Suite 102, Issaquah, Wash., 98029, 425-391-6612.

About Thanks and Giving:
The St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Thanks and Giving national campaign is an unprecedented union of celebrities, media, retail and corporate partners that ask consumers to “Give thanks for the healthy kids in your life, and give to those who are not.” The Thanks and Giving initiative was created in 2004 by Marlo Thomas and her siblings Terre and Tony Thomas, children of St. Jude founder Danny Thomas. Funds raised by the campaign support the lifesaving work of St. Jude – to find cures for children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. St Jude impacts the lives of children in communities across the country. Consumers are asked to shop at companies where the St. Jude green magnifying glass logo is displayed; donate online at www.stjude.org, where a list of fund-raising partners is available, or call 1-800-4STJUDE.

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Media Contacts:

Pacific Northwest
Andrea CourtneyRandall PR
(206) 624-5757
andrea.courtney@randallpr.com

National
Sandy D’Elosua
Director of Public Relations and Social Media
813-425-6217
sdelosua@meltingpot.com