Restaurant.com is proud to announce its partnership with three non-profit organizations during the holiday season: the American Lung Association, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Illinois, and Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois.

Nearly 400,000 $10 Restaurant.com Gift Cards have been given to these organizations through Feed It Forward to be used as gifts of thanks, with a particular emphasis on volunteers who donate their time and effort, expecting nothing in return.

Restaurant.com launched Feed It Forward in 2008 as a result of the economic downturn.

The company believes everyone should be able to experience the gift of giving during the holiday season, regardless of economic circumstances.

“There is no better gift than the gift of giving, and we want to empower people everywhere to embrace generosity,” says Restaurant.com President and CMO, Christopher Krohn.

“Partnering with the American Lung Association, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Illinois and Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois makes it possible to spread the gift of giving to volunteers who are truly deserving of thanks. We’re excited to celebrate the true holiday spirit with organizations that have a special place in our hearts.”

The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. With generous support, the American Lung Association is “Fighting for Air” through research, education and advocacy.

“We are grateful to our family of American Lung Association supporters who enable us to do our vital mission each and every day,” says Chuck Connor, President and CEO of the American Lung Association.

“We’ve just launched our annual Christmas Seals, a critical funding element that has been powering our battle against lung disease since 1907. Made possible by our partner Restaurant.com, Feed It Forward is a wonderful way to recognize our key benefactors. Times are tough and every dollar matters. Thank you, Restaurant.com, for giving us the means to stretch our dollars.”

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Illinois’ mission is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. JDRF is also committed to developing new and better treatments that improve the lives of people with type 1 diabetes in the near term and keep them healthy while we advance toward a cure.

“JDRF Illinois is excited to continue our partnership with Restaurant.com and share their Feed It Forward program with our supporters as a thank you for their dedication to our mission,” says L. Patrick Reedy, Executive Director, JDRF Illinois Chapter The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois.

“The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois is very grateful to partner with Restaurant.com at such a magical and giving time of the year. We are thrilled to be able to recognize our amazing volunteers that are at the core of our mission with this new partnership,” says Beth Murnane, Corporate Development Manager, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois.

Feed It Forward is built upon a single giving website, stocked with $10 Restaurant.com eGift Cards –http://www.Restaurant.com/FeedItForward.

The site will be live through midnight PST on Christmas Day, and allows individuals to give eGift Cards that are redeemable at Restaurant.com.

Givers choose whom to give to and gift recipients then decide where to dine from more than 10,000 participating Restaurant.com restaurants nationwide.

Individuals who receive Feed It Forward gift certificates through the American Lung Association, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Illinois, and Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois can redeem their gift certificates directly through the Feed It Forward site.

“Organizations across the country have felt the impact of the economy, but it’s the support of employees, volunteers and local communities that help keep those organizations committed to giving,” Krohn says.

“We’re honored to be associated with three non-profit partners that recognize the smallest gesture can make a big impact.”

Feed It Forward has given a total of $5.4 million in Restaurant.com Gift Certificates to non-profit organizations since the program’s inception in 2008.

Now in its second century, the American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease.

JDRF is the leading global organization focused on type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Since its founding in 1970, JDRF has awarded more than $1.5 billion to T1D research. 

The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Founded in 1980, the Foundation is one of the world’s leading children’s charities, with 62 chapters in the United States and its territories. 

Restaurant.com offers savings at more than 18,000 restaurants nationwide with more than 45,000 daily gift certificate options.  The Arlington Heights, Ill.-based company was founded in 1999.