During this day deemed Dine for America, restaurants across the nation, along with the National Restaurant Association, will donate a portion of that days proceeds to the American Red Cross in support of Hurricane Katrina and Rita relief efforts.

The Red Cross has served more than 15 million hot meals and 10 million snacks to survivors of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. At times, we have served 750,000 meals per day, which is roughly equivalent to feeding the population of San Francisco, said Renita Hosler, a spokesperson for the Red Cross.

Supporting the Red Cross ensures that the organization can provide for the needs of disaster victims, which include emergency food, water and shelter.

Donations from restaurants will vary some will donate the entire evenings proceeds and some will donate a certain portion. Others are choosing a meal or desserts costs to benefit the hurricane survivors. Additionally, some restaurants will also collect donations from guests and employees.

Were incredibly grateful for the generosity of restaurant industry to host this day and help us to continue our mission of feeding, sheltering and caring for survivors of the recent hurricanes, said Hosler.

Brinker International, which includes Chili's Grill & Bar, Romano's Macaroni Grill, On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, Maggiano's Little Italy and Corner Bakery Caf, will donate all of its profits for the day to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

"This program is the perfect vehicle for the restaurant industry to contribute in a meaningful way to the massive relief efforts undertaken by the American Red Cross," said Doug Brooks, Brinker's chairman and chief executive officer. "We urge everyone to make eating at a participating restaurant for lunch or dinner on Oct. 5 part of their schedule."

The National Restaurant Association will sponsor this day and is using online invitation service Evite as a mechanism to spread the word.

"Restaurants are often among the first to serve those in need, and never has it been more evident than in the wake of the Gulf Coast hurricanes," said Steven C. Anderson, president and chief executive officer of the National Restaurant Association. "The more who join us at the table [Oct. 5], the more meaningful the impact."

The Dine for America event was created by restaurants and their employees from across the country united in the effort to help those affected by catastrophic national events. The idea began in the wake of Sept. 11, 2001, when restaurants from around the country wanted to unify their efforts to help those affected by the terrorist attacks. Restaurants, their employees and guests raised more than $20 million for that cause.