The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce’s Connect for Lunch program is filling seats in local restaurants and keeping dollars local while connecting members to each other.

Since the program’s inception in 2009, Connect for Lunch has filled 2,933 seats in area restraunts. At an average of $8 per lunch, that’s $23,464 generated for Chamber member restaurants.

“This is exactly the kind of result we like to see,” says Kim Leighty, membership manager at the Chamber. “Not only are we helping members build stronger relationships with each other, we are supporting local restaurants during a time when it is needed.”

Connect for Lunch was designed to help members meet in a casual atmosphere. Four members are paired together to meet over lunch. The more intimate setting allows members to better connect with each other.