On Thursday, September 20, 2012, M&M Meat Shops will once again step up to the plate and encourage Canadians to enjoy the tradition of the family dinner. Canadians’ lives have never been busier; setting aside quality time for family is a challenge, however, the importance of family dinners reaches far beyond simply sharing a meal together. Gathering together around the dinner table presents a valuable opportunity to interact, strengthen relationships and affirm the value of each family member.

M&M Meat Shops’ National Family Dinner Night has been bringing Canadian families closer together for the past seven years by recognizing the importance of sharing a meal with family and friends. This annual event has gained tremendous support from families, community leaders and dignitaries across the country, and has contributed to the more than 23.1 million dollars M&M Meat Shops has raised for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada (CCFC).

Each year M&M Meat Shops urges every person in Canada sitting down to dinner on Thursday, September 20, to register their participation online to demonstrate the significance of getting together with family and friends.

And new this year, everyone who registers their family meal will be automatically entered for a chance to win $500 in M&M Meat Shops Gift Cards! To enter, visit www.nationalfamilydinnernight.com between September 4th – September 20th, for your chance to win big. The website will also feature a link for supporters to make a personal donation to our friends at the CCFC.

Canada has among the highest incidence of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis— two similar yet distinct conditions also known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)—in the world. There is no known cause or cure and the number of cases continues to grow.

“Sitting down for a meal together can have a lasting, positive effect on open communication between children and parents,” says Mac Voisin, founder of M&M Meat Shops. “National Family Dinner Night encourages busy families to reconnect by spending quality time together, talking and sharing with each other around the dinner table.”

Source: http://www.bedfordbeacon.com/mm-meat-shops-inspires-traditional-family-mealtimes