Food for thought - and action

Restaurants and diners are being sought for a new initiative in Chester County called "Eat 2 Defeat Domestic Violence," a weeklong fund-raising event to be held from Sunday through Saturday, Oct. 22.

The event will not only spotlight Domestic Violence Awareness Month, but it will also raise funds for the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County (DVCCC) and The Crime Victims' Center of Chester County, Inc. (CVC), two agencies that provide services to domestic violence victims.

During the week-long event, individuals can benefit DVCCC and CVC programs by dining at participating restaurants, where at least 20 percent of the tab will go to the agencies. Flyers, available at both DVCCC and CVC, will note the participating restaurants and must be used by diners so that a percentage of their bills can be donated. Some flyers will be available at the restaurants; however, to be safe, patrons can download one from the CVC website: http://www.cvcofcc.org/.

So far, participating restaurants, all in West Chester, include, Amore Pizza and Restaurant, Brothers Pizza and Pasta, Doc Macgrogan's Oyster House, Kildare's Irish Pub, and Side Bar & Restaurant. Other eateries are encouraged to join this worthy cause by calling DVCC at 610-431-3546 or CVC at 610-692-1926 to be listed on the flyer.

The Domestic Violence Center of Chester County, founded in 1976, exclusively serves victims of domestic violence and their children. DVCCC's mission is to provide intervention, programs, outreach and advocacy to prevent, reduce and remedy domestic violence in Chester County. DVCCC's 24-hour hotline is 1-888-711-6270.

The Crime Victims' Center of Chester County, Inc. (CVC), founded in 1973, is a private, community-based, non-profit agency that provides a broad range of supportive services, including two 24-hour hotlines, one for sexual assault (610-692-7273), and one for other crimes (610-692-7420); counseling and advocacy; and, accompaniment to court-related proceedings for crime victims and their families. The agency also provides prevention/education programs to schools, church, business and community groups.