Get a great meal and help feed others at the same time — it’s a win-win situation. This week, 16 local restaurants in Beaufort County will do their part to help address cause the issue of food insecurity in northeastern North Carolina.

As participants in the annual Food Bank of the Albemarle’s “Dine Out to Help Out Fundraiser,” each business will donate 10 percent of its daily proceeds on Tuesday to benefit the regional nonprofit.

The event is sponsored and organized locally by CresCom Bank as a way for the financial institution to give back to the local community. From reaching out to the local restaurants and acting as a liaison with Food Bank of the Albemarle, the bank is a key partner in the endeavor.

“Beaufort County is one of the largest recipients, and we have a lot of hunger in our area,” CresCom Chocowinity Branch Manager Vicki Waters said. “The need is really great here in Beaufort County, and as a community bank, CresCom wants to get out and help.”

Beaufort County restaurants participating in the event include:

• The Tavern at Jack’s Neck (Participating on Sept. 9)
• Backwater Jack’s Tiki Bar and Grill
• Bill’s Hot Dogs (both locations)
• Carryout by Chrislyn
• China Bay Buffet
• Down On Main Street
• Farm Boy’s Inc.
• Grubb Brothers Eatery
• La Bella Pizza and Pasta
• Marabella Italian Restaurant
• On the Waterfront
• The Meeting Place Café and Catering
• Ribeyes of Washington
• Washington Crab & Seafood Shack
• Spoon River Artworks & Market (Participating on Sept. 12)

“A lot of the local owners here are happy to support the event,” Waters said. “They see the need and realize how important it is to Beaufort County.”

The first Dine Out to Help Out fundraiser was held in 1995 to support the food bank’s need to provide healthy, nutritious food to families facing food insecurity in the region. According to the nonprofit’s website, for every $1 raised, Food Bank of the Albemarle can provide four meals to ENC families.

“We want to encourage everybody to participate on this special day,” Waters concluded.

To learn more about Food Bank of the Albemarle, visit www.afoodbank.org.