3rd ANNUAL CHEESY NOODLES MAC N' CHEESE CONTEST AT MAX'S DELI RAISES $5,000 FOR "STAND UP FOR KIDS CHICAGO" TO HELP HOMELESS

HIGHLAND PARK, IL (NOVEMBER 24, 2015) – More than 200 people satisfied their inner child at the 3rd Annual Cheesy Noodles Mac N’ Cheese Contest at Max’s Restaurant & Deli in Highland on November 23th, raising over $5,000 for Stand Up for Kids Chicago, a non-profit organization dedicated to end youth homelessness through national and local outreach. Guests dined on a variety of Mac N’ Cheese prepared by local restaurants, toasted S’mores and learned more about problems facing homeless youth in Chicago duringHomeless Youth Awareness Month.

Esteemed chefs from all over Chicagoland came together to showcase their very own specialty macaroni and cheese dishes, which were then tasted and judged by “the People” and a panel of local celebrity guest judges. Remington’s Chicago and British Chef David Witcher took home the top Judge’s Choice for the best Mac N’ Cheese, followed by Nick’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill of Wilmette andChicago’s Smoke Daddy. Valley Lodge Tavern of Glenview, Nick’s and Remington’s took the top three People’s Choice spots. Other competitors included Highwood’s new Barrel Crossing Tap & Grill and Pinstripes in Northbrook.

A big thank you to judges, Julie Chernoff, Dining Editor, Make It Better Media, Melissa Forman, Host, WCIU-TV’s You & Me This Morning, Simon Murray, Associate Editor, JWC Media’s The North Shore Weekend and Sheridan Road Magazine, and Christa Rooks, Editor, The Highland Park Landmark for a fun filled night.

“This was the perfect family friendly event to kick off the holiday season of giving and we are so pleased with the outpouring of support and interest in volunteering,” says Abbey Cross, Executive Director of Stand Up For Kids Chicago. “By meeting our goal of raising $5000, Stand Up for Kids Chicago is now able to help 50 of Chicago’s homeless youth stay in school for a month, or five stay in school for the entire year!”

Over the course of a year, approximately 26,000 youth in Illinois, and 15,000 youth in Chicago experience homelessness. With the approaching colder weather, Stand Up for Kids Chicago is working tirelessly to promote the local outreach center as a safe haven for kids. Volunteers are already hitting the streets hard to distribute hot meals and to provide socks, hats, mittens, coats, and more so that these homeless children can survive the winter season.

“There are so many forgotten children on the street that are more than homeless; they have often lost their family connections for various reasons,” says Brian Russell, Chairman of the Board, Stand Up for Kids Chicago. “When the community comes together through events like this, they help us fund programs for the kids to help break the homeless cycle. We welcome the chance to raise money, but also to raise awareness of this homeless problem in our backyard.”

Stand Up for Kids Chicago welcomes inquiries from youth groups and volunteers to distribute food and clothing while walking the streets with Stand Up For Kids Chicago volunteers.

North Shore residents can also help make the holiday wishes of Chicago’s homeless youth come true this season by visiting the ‘Giving Tree’ at their local Starbucks. Over a dozen Starbucks locations will be home to a ‘Giving Tree,’ decorated with ‘wish tags’ filled out with real needs from Chicago’s homeless teens for such items as a bus or train pass, a winter coat, groceries, a gas card, the list goes on. Starbucks customers are encouraged to pull a gift tag from the Giving Tree, grant the wish and return the item to the Starbucks by December 18th. The gift will later be given to the teen.

ABOUT STANDUP FOR KIDS CHICAGO

Stand Up For Kids is a non-profit volunteer organization whose mission is to provide crisis intervention and basic survival necessities for at-risk and homeless youth through national and local outreach. Violence and abuse are unfortunately increasingly common within families and communities, and there are now 1.3 million homeless and street kids. Stand Up For Kids offers an abundance of services, complete anonymity, and ensures that youth do not have to feel alone in dealing with their problems. The mission is to end the cycle of youth homelessness throughout the United States. For more information, visit www.standupforkidschicago.org emailabbey@standupforkidschicsgo.org or call (773) 817-1684.

ABOUT MAX’S DELICATESSEN AND RESTAURANT

With a rich history having been in business over 25 years, Max’s Deli serves up a fine pastrami sandwich that was voted “Best in Town” by Chicago Magazine. Run by Greg and Joey Morelli, brothers that refer to themselves fondly as “the Food Fight Brothers, Max’s also offers deli favorites, homemade soups, breakfast all day, and full-service catering. Often referred to as Chicago’s New York Deli, Max’s has recently added Wi-Fi, Intelligencia Coffee and created healthier options from standard deli fare. Now, they even have some options for the family dog. For more information please visit their website at www.maxs-deli.com or call 847.831.0600.

###