Eating locally benefits more than just the eateries from now until the end of the month.

During Red Ribbon Week, which starts today and runs through Oct. 31, Jackson County United Way is partnering with nine different restaurants to promote the largest drug prevention campaign in the nation.

For the sixth straight year, Jackson County restaurants are pledging 10% of sales to the annual campaign with a day’s worth of sales.

Each of the locations will have table tents about how to talk to kids about drug use and signs and symptoms to look for, and a United Way staff member will be on hand to answer any questions.

Maci Baurle and Emily Engelking, directors of development and engagement for Jackson County United Way, are heading the Red Ribbon Week events. 

Engelking said the dinner table is a great place for families to talk about important issues.

"You have these pointers that are targeted to different age groups," she said. "It explains why it is important to talk about these issues. When you have a family sitting down together to share a meal, that’s when the family is closest. It’s a good time to have those discussions with your kids."

Participating restaurants will have their staff wear red shirts on their day of giving back.

Dine United kicked off Tuesday at Rockford Ridge. Mi Casa and Hill’s Fish Stand, both in Seymour, will participate today, Blondie’s Pizzeria and Pub in Brownstown is slated for Thursday and Poplar Street Restaurant in Seymour is Saturday.

Next week, Bubba’s Place (Oct. 29), The Brooklyn Pizza Co. (Oct. 30) and Bullwinkle’s Family Restaurant (Oct. 31) are planned. All three are in Seymour.