Local restauranteur Erika Bullock knows food. Bullock, co-owner of Twenty One & Main, has been working in the restaurant business for several years in both Elkin and Charleston, SC.

While owning and operating a restaurant is Bullock's livelihood, the "business end" of running a restaurant is not what she most enjoys. For Bullock, a restaurant is an industry that focuses on people -- meeting people, serving people, providing those you host with basic needs.

It should come as no surprise then that Bullock, who is also the newly-hired executive director of the Yadkin Valley United Fund, brings her people-oriented approach of managing a restaurant to her humanitarian work. Bullock believes that food itself is a means of joining people together whether around a table for a meal or around a common cause.

With this idea in mind, Bullock has developed a "food-centric" approach to kick-off her first fundraising season as the YVUF executive director.

The event that will mark the opening YVUF's 2010-11 fundraising season is called, "Dine Out for the Fund." Bullock is asking local restaurants to donate 10 percent of their earnings on Thursday, Sept. 2, to the YVUF.

Bullock hopes that the event will not only benefit the charity she heads, but also provide a jolt to area restaurant business.

"Sept. 2 is a different way for us to do our kick-off. People can go support the local economy, and in return we'll get a portion of the proceeds," said Bullock.

Bullock said that so far there seems to be much interest on the part of other restauranteurs to participate in the event. The Harvest Grill at Shelton Vineyards, Cedarbrook Country Club, Dave's Family Restaurant, El Milagro, Royall's Soda Shoppe and Bullock's own Twenty One & Main have agreed to give the YVUF a portion of their earnings on Sept. 2. Bullock also said that there are 30 more local restaurants that she is currently trying to convince to join YVUF's effort.

According to Bullock, even a restaurant or business that promotes "Dine Out for the Fund" by hanging a flier in its window helps. Bullock's overall objective is to help the YVUF reach its season fundraising goal for the the first time in five years.

Bullock said that this year, the YVUF has lowered its season fundraising goal from years past to $125,000.

"We have a $125,000 this year. All of that money stays local, and it makes the goal obtainable," said Bullock. "It's no longer realistic to have a $150,000 or $160,000 goal."

For the past two years, YVUF had set a season fundraising goal of $160,000 and fallen well short of the mark.

Bullock hopes that by lowering the season goal, people will believe that they are contributing toward a realistic goal that will show immediate effects.

"Every year that thermometer doesn't hit full, sometimes you might think you donated your money to something that hasn't (shown results)," said Bullock.

This year, Bullock intends to make people aware of where the money they donate to the YVUF goes by creating an itemized breakdown on YVUF's website. For each of the 28 local nonprofits that YVUF funds, donors can see what percentage of the organization's money raised over the course of the fundraising season went to each nonprofit. Bullock also said that YVUF donors, if they choose, can give to specific nonprofits within the YVUF.

Regardless of where YVUF's contributions come from or to whom they are given, Bullock sees the immediate need for her organization after owning a business in Elkin for two years.

"I employ over 20 individuals in this area. Most don't have health insurance, and some have utilized these services (that YVUF supports). It helps me see the need for the services," said Bullock.

Bullock hopes that on Sept. 2, people gather around dinner tables in restaurants across the Yadkin Valley to enjoy a meal and help their community.

For more information on YVUF's "Dine Out for the Fund," contact Erika Bullock at 866-572-0946.