DAPHNE, Ala. — Michael Cuesta, a marketing development manager for Mobile-based Calagaz Printing, has been named Share Our Strength’s “Rookie of the Year” for his promotional work in helping the organization battle childhood hunger.

Share Our Strength is a national organization that works with community groups, activists and food programs to educate children about the benefits of nutrition and teach communities means of improving on childhood hunger conditions.

“Strength” recognizes individuals and organizations who support its anti-hunger activities “with energy, enthusiasm and dedication,” according to a news release. Cuesta and Calagaz were awarded for their work in creating promotional materials to help market Share Our Strength’s “Great American Dine-Out,” a charitable endeavor held Sept. 20-26 that raised more than $750,000 for the organization’s cause.

“Michael quickly became an enthusiastic and informed representative for Share Our Strength and was able to convey his passion for the cause to his network,” an S.O.S. spokesperson said. “Calagaz Printing and Mr. Cuesta are deeply committed to bringing about positive change in their community and their actions reflect Share Our Strength’s core values.”

Cuesta got involved in the program while sponsoring The Marketing Executives Group, “a think tank of marketing executives in the restaurant industry,” at Share Our Strength’s Conference of Leaders in Washington, D.C., he said. It was at this meeting that Cuesta met the director of “The Great American Dine-out” — a week-long promotional campaign in restaurants — and plans were made.

“We started discussing how we could help,” Cuesta said. “There was a great need for our services.”

“Calagaz Printing created an on-demand ordering system and produced generic and customizable in-store marketing materials for thousands of restaurants who participated in the program,” Share Our Strength spokesperson Jessie Sherrer said.

To help promote ‘Dine-out,’ Calagaz created posters, check stuffers, donation cards, coupons, partner signs, window clings and table tents.

“We produced these materials in generic and custom versions,” Cuesta said. “The custom version allowed the participating locations to add their logo as well as a short paragraph describing their involvement with ‘The Great American Dine-out.’

An example would be: “XYZ restaurant is donating 5 percent of our sales during ‘Dine-out Week’ to Share Our Strength. Please join us in ending childhood hunger in America.’”

Custom promotional materials were created through Calagaz’ Web site.

Cuesta said Calagaz printed around a half-million promotional materials for the “Great American Dine-out,” shipping enough items for 1,200 restaurants.

“It engaged everything from quick service to coffee shops to fine dining,” Sherrer said of the campaign.

Cuesta said he feels a sense of fulfillment knowing his work can make a difference.

“Being able to partner with a great organization that has such a big reach has given me the opportunity to take on something that’s bigger than myself and bigger than Calagaz,” Cuesta said.

“We are so privileged to be a part of this elite group of partners,” Vice President Joe Calagaz said. “We feel that by encouraging our community to become a part of this great cause and providing marketing materials to promote the Share Our Strength events, we’re fostering yet another important connection between our customers and the community we live in.

“Our commitment to strengthen our local community and worthy cause such as childhood hunger is something we’re admittedly proud of.”

In its 25-year existence, Share Our Strength has raised approximately $275 million to combat childhood hunger. One out of six children are at risk of going hungry, according to the organization’s Web site.

Other Share Our Strength education programs include: “Taste of  the Nation,” a cooking fundraiser; “Great American Bake Sale,” a grassroots awareness campaign; “A Tasteful Pursuit,” a touring dinner series; and “Operation Frontline,” a cooking-based nutrition education program.

Share Our Strength has set a goal of stamping out childhood hunger in America by the year 2015.

“It’s the lack of communication that they’re trying to break down,” Cuesta said of the organization, adding that residents in need may not be aware about Share Our Strength’s programs.

For more information on the “Great American Dine Out,” visit www.strength.org.