In a year where budgets, assignment plans and classroom size are hot topics, some Moore County schools are raising funds by eating at McDonald's.

On Tuesday, school staff and teachers will host students and their parents for dinner at McDonald's across the area to raise money for the school.

It's "McTeacher's Night," a one-night fundraiser held across the area with local schools to supplement those much-needed budgets.

"We're committed to education and supporting the schools in our community," said Frank Butler, owner/operator of McDonald's in Aberdeen and Carthage. "McTeacher's Night is just one way we can assist educators and help local schools raise funds."

Schools in the area will receive a portion of the sales between the hours of 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. During that time, some school principals, teachers and parents will "work" at the McDonald's restaurant -- greeting customers, working the registers, serving drinks, and in some cases, assisting with the preparation of food, such as french fries.

Other school volunteers will serve as hosts and cheerleaders for the evening to rally guests and mingle among customers. Families of students and other school supporters are encouraged to visit McDonald's and enable the educators to serve them, all while raising money for the school.

The McDonald's on U.S. 1 in Aberdeen is supporting Aberdeen Elementary School. McDonald's at 950 Monroe St. in Carthage is supporting Carthage Ele-mentary School.

In addition to helping area schools, more than 500 McDonald's restaurants in the Carolinas and parts of Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia will participate in McTeacher's Nights.

"On an individual basis, owner/operators of McDonald's restaurants in the area have always been extremely supportive of schools," Butler added, "and McTeacher's Night is a way for us to participate together, on a single evening." In the past few years, McDonald's restaurants have donated over $1 million to area schools as a result of McTeacher's Night.