Tap Project Minneapolis: World Water Week - March 22-29

MAYOR R. T. RYBAK PROCLAIMS MARCH 22 AS WORLD WATER DAY
AND MARCH 22-MARCH 29 AS WORLD WATER WEEK

OVER 20 LOCAL RESTAURANTS TO HELP UNICEF PROVIDE SAFE DRINKING WATER FOR CHILDREN AROUND THE WORLD; TWIN CITIES’ RESIDENTS ASKED TO DO THEIR PART

Minneapolis (March 19, 2009) – Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak today proclaimed March 22, 2009 as World Water Day throughout the city and March 22 to March 29, 2009, as World Water Week to support UNICEF’s Tap Project.

Through Tap, over 20 local restaurants* are inviting patrons to donate $1 or more for the tap water they usually enjoy for free. This grassroots initiative is part of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF’s nationwide Tap Project to provide clean water to children around the world. With $1 UNICEF can provide 40 liters of safe drinking water, which is enough to give one child safe drinking water for 40 days, or 40 children safe drinking water for one day.

Lack of clean water is the second largest killer of children under age five. Nearly 990 million people do not have access to clean water or adequate sanitation, and each day, 4,200 children die due to lack of access to clean water. UNICEF would like to bring this number down to zero.

“The Tap Project brings to Minneapolis an incredibly simple concept to encourage restaurant patrons to help bring clean and safe water to the children of the world,” said Mayor Rybak. “Let’s challenge others through our example. In addition to donating at local restaurants during this week, I encourage Minneapolis resident’s to drink tap water in lieu of bottled water. Let’s make sure this precious commodity is available for generations to come.”

The Tap Project is the first of its kind—a national grassroots effort offering individuals and restaurants across the nation a simple and effective way to make a difference in a child’s life.

UNICEF works in more than 90 countries around the world to improve access to safe water and sanitation facilities in schools and communities and to promote safe hygiene practices. Over the past 15 years, more than a billion people gained access to improved drinking water and sanitation facilities. UNICEF's goal is to reduce by half the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe water and basic sanitation by 2015.

This year, volunteers across the U.S. will support the TAP Project and raise awareness of this vital issue in their communities.

* Local participating restaurants include: Bryant Lake Bowl, Restaurant Aura, Barbette, Common Roots Café, Azia Restaurant and Anemoni Sushi & Oyster Bar, View Restaurant & Bar, Café Agri, Nick and Eddie, Barrio, Solera, T’s, Red Stag Supperclub, Big Bowl (Edina, Roseville and Minnetonka), POP! Restaurant, Pazzaluna Urban Italian, Dukam, Al Vento and A La Salsa.

For more information about the Tap Project, and to see which restaurants in Minneapolis are participating, visit www.tapproject.org.