This week marks the third annual Oxford Restaurant Week, a seven-day culinary event where diners can get special deals at local restaurants while benefitting the Oxford Food Pantry.

Coupon cards are available for purchase at the Visit Oxford Visitor’s Center, the Oxford Chamber of Commerce and online. Using their Restaurant Week coupon cards, diners can take advantage of deals at participating restaurants from now until Jan. 30.

“There’s more and more restaurants participating each year,” Katie Kaiser, visitor services coordinator at the Visit Oxford Visitor’s Center, said. “It’s so much fun to go out and eat because Oxford has such a culinary scene. It’s fun to do and you feel like you’re giving back while doing it.”

At the end of the week, profits from the participating restaurants are combined and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Oxford Food Pantry.

The Oxford Food Pantry is operated by a different organization each month. A representative from each organization serves as the month-long manager.

June Rosentreter from Oxford-University United Methodist Church is January’s manager at the Oxford Food Pantry.

“We’re very appreciative of the donations from these restaurants, and they are always put to very good use,” Rosentreter said. “We have great support from the community, both businesses and personal support.”

Participating restaurants also benefit from the week by drawing more customers.

Soulshine Pizza Factory general manager Chad Jennings said the restaurant is happy to be a part of the fundraiser and hopes for a strong turnout throughout the week.

“It throws your name in the hat if someone goes out to eat this week,” Jennings said. “At the end of the week it helps with customer count and sales. We benefit from it and it’s for a good cause, so all in all it’s a good deal.”

Bouré general manager Jason Ross agreed the restaurants benefit just as much as the food pantry.

“It gets the word out about the restaurant, and anything to give back to the community is good,” said Ross.