Seattle – Extra customer change at Dick’s Drive-Ins has added up to big support for homeless shelters throughout the Seattle area and disaster relief efforts. The famed restaurant chain announced today that its Change4Charity program hit the half-million mark this week with over $500,000 in donations collected from customers who drop change in the collection boxes at their 5 local restaurants.

“Those little change boxes have added up to big donations,” says Jim Spady, vice president of the local family business, “We want to thank each and every customer who has taken the time to drop their extra burger change into the Change4Charity boxes.”

Spady added that 2011 also includes the largest single month donation in March when over $21,000 was collected to aid the earthquake and tsunami relief effort in Japan.  Donations were directed to the Seattle Red Cross and World Vision in Federal Way, Wash.

“This program has far exceeded our expectations,” says Spady, “It’s a testament to our generous customers who care about their community.”

The Change4Charity program started in 1998 with a focus on local nonprofit organizations that serve the needs of homeless individuals and families. Organizations receiving Change4Charity donations include Compass Housing, Family Support Network, Fare Start, First Place, Mary’s Place, ROOTS, Saint Martin de Porres Shelter, and Seattle Night Watch.

Spady added that special donations are included when disasters strike and the program’s top months for giving have included the Haitian earthquake in January and February 2010 and relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina in September 2005.

Change4Charity boxes are located at the Wallingford, Broadway, Holman Road, Lake City, Queen Anne Dick’s Drive-Ins and soon-to-be new Edmonds restaurant when it opens this fall.