The United Way of the Lowcountry and several Bluffton restaurants are asking consumers to dine out in December to fill a meal gap, stock a food pantry and reduce hunger in Beaufort and Jasper counties.

Hunger-relief charity Feeding America's recent Map the Meal Gap study showed that hunger exists in every county in the nation. According to Map the Meal Gap, Beaufort County has a 13.6 percent food insecurity rate, Jasper County has a 19.6 percent rate. The State of South Carolina has a food insecurity rate of 18.3 percent.

Dine Out for Hunger in Bluffton will be held Tuesday at the Kickin' Chicken, Mulberry Street Trattoria and British Open Pub. Each restaurant will donate a portion of its proceeds that day to the United Way of the Lowcountry to assist its partner agencies in fighting hunger. Reservations are suggested, but not required.

Details: www.uwlowcountry.org