"Get to Know Your Neighbor" Call to Action in Communities across the U.S.

In an effort to rekindle the lost tradition of neighborhood kindness, Corner Bakery Cafe is inviting individuals across the country to "Get to Know Your Neighbor" over a steaming cup of their hand-roasted coffee. The week-long effort kicks off on September 17th and will focus on helping neighbors connect by giving away 10,000 specially designed travel mugs -- one for you and one for a neighbor -- throughout the week. Recipients are then asked to fill out a card that will be included with their mugs inviting a neighbor, coworker or acquaintance to join them for a cup of coffee at their neighborhood Corner Bakery Cafe.

As an extension of the "Get to Know Your Neighbor" program, customers are invited to submit their stories of friendship via the Corner Bakery Cafe Web site (www.cornerbakerycafe.com/neighbor). One customer per week through October 15th with the best "How I Got to Know My Neighbor" story will be awarded a $25 gift card redeemable toward any purchase at any Corner Bakery restaurant.

"In today's age, when people are juggling the demands of career and family, getting to know your neighbor next door or even in the next cubicle can be a challenge," said Jim Vinz, president of Corner Bakery Cafe. "Corner Bakery Cafe has always been that place in your neighborhood where people gather for great food and conversation, and with the introduction of our four new hand-roasted coffees as well as free Wi-Fi access, we are giving our guests an easy way to stay connected on all levels."

In addition to spreading a message of friendship through the "Get to Know Your Neighbor" coffee invitations, Corner Bakery Cafe employees will spend the week performing "Random Acts of Coffee" in each of their respective communities. From kids' soccer matches and football games to train stations and bus stops, Corner Bakery Cafe team members or catering vans will be dropping in at countless community events throughout the week, passing out the new travel mugs, and in some cases, hand-roasted coffee samples, in a simple effort to pick-up or kick-start the day.

"Americans are less connected to their neighbors today than they were just ten years ago," said Diana Hovey, senior vice president of marketing at Corner Bakery Cafe. "The average American now only claims to have two close friends, down from an average of three in 1985. Corner Bakery wants to provide a way for people to get to know their neighbors and make new friends in the communities we all call home. Inviting their neighbors to join them for coffee is just one of the many ways we can give back to the communities that have given us so much already."

Corner Bakery Cafe operates 99 restaurants in neighborhoods across the United States including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles/Orange County, Philadelphia and Washington D.C.