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Giving people the chance to contribute to charity while eating out is a growing fundraising trend for nonprofit organizations across the U.S.

Local organizations have been mounting their own Dine Out programs for years. On March 7, the fifth annual Dine Out for Packard, benefiting Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, will be held at local restaurants.

Click here to see participating restaurants in Menlo Park.

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A portion of the bills will support care for children and expectant mothers at Lucile Packard, according to Mallory Oliphant, community relations officer at Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health.

In the past four years, diners at more than 100 restaurants have contributed nearly $60,000, Oliphant said.

Funds also go toward research at Stanford University's School of Medicine and toward community outreach programs, such as the Lucile Packard Hospital Teen Health Van, which provides treatment to people with little or no insurance.

Gravity Bistro and Wine Bar in downtown Palo Alto has participated for several years, owner Mario Navat said.

"It's important to me since it's for children," he said, adding that he has had personal experience with the hospital.

The program does promote his business and bring in revenue, but he said the focus of his participation in the fundraiser is the cause itself.

"We care about the community, as well," he said.

Another downtown Palo Alto restaurant, Mango Caribbean, got involved in the program's first year.

"When they approached me, I had to jump on it because of my nephew" who was treated at the hospital for sickle cell anemia, owner Winston Wint said.

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