‘Tis the season for businesses to give back. While November and December are filled with corporations announcing partnerships with children’s hospitals and soup kitchen drives, nonprofits need support from the business community year-round, not just during the holidays. However, the holidays are a good time to start, and giving back can pay dividends.
“Giving back just has to be aligned with your company’s ethos,” said Heather Holmes, founder of Publicity for Good. “From a restaurant perspective, if you partner with a local nonprofit, you have another voice advocate on the streets, promoting you and vice versa. It’s not like you do it for that outcome, but at the end of the day, it’s about reaching as many people as you can about a mission. … People go to restaurants that make an impact.”
While many business operators lean into the holidays, like on Giving Tuesday after Thanksgiving, Holmes encourages the companies she works with to identify a nonprofit that aligns with their values and determine how they can give back quarterly. Whether through financial donations or organizing volunteer days in communities, there are multiple ways to get involved.
The restaurant industry is particularly well-positioned to partner with nonprofits. Restaurant operators can get creative with charitable giving by offering limited-time promotions where full or partial proceeds benefit specific charities, or by encouraging customers to round up food orders with the extra change donated to charity.
Several of the most visible charitable organizations in the U.S. tackle food insecurity, making it easy for food operators to find an organization that directly aligns with their goals, like national hunger relief organization Share Our Strength, known for its No Kid Hungry Campaign.
“Today’s consumer is very socially conscious, especially the younger generations,” said Sara Jamshidi, senior director of corporate partnership development for Share Our Strength. “Seventy-nine percent of Americans say it’s important the companies they buy products or services from are partnering with or donating to a charitable organization. We also found that when a consumer knows a brand supports No Kid Hungry, 85% would be more likely to purchase from that brand.”
Here are eight food industry-related nonprofits, covering everything from childhood hunger to disaster relief, to help spark some ideas.
Students having a meal at an elementary school through No Kid Hungry. | Share Our Strength
Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation: Founded by Alexandra “Alex” Scott, who died in 2004 at the age of eight from pediatric cancer, this organization funds pediatric cancer research. The group’s work is inspired by the lemonade stands Alex used to run to help fund cancer research before her death, and restaurant partnerships often involve lemonade sales, special items, and special fundraising events. Alex’s Lemonade Stand has thus far raised more than $300 million in cancer research funds and also provides grants directly to families for expenses not covered by insurance, travel costs, and other needs related to childhood cancer treatment through its Travel for Care program.
Current and ongoing business partners include Applebee’s, Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, Auntie Anne’s, Panera Bread, Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, and Arby’s.
CORE
CORE (Children of Restaurant Employees): CORE is a national nonprofit that is directly connected to the restaurant industry. The organization provides financial assistance to children of restaurant employees when the family is faced with a crisis, like illness or death of a loved one or natural disaster. Since CORE was founded in 2004 at the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago, the organization has granted more than $5 million to restaurant workers and their families in need.
Current and ongoing business partners include Cuba Libre Restaurant and Rum Bar, Tito’s Vodka, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, and Francis Ford Coppola Winery.
Feeding America: As the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization, Feeding America operates a network of more than 200 food banks and 60,000 meal programs across all 50 U.S. states. The organization rescues billions of pounds of food annually that would otherwise go to waste, redistributing it to food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters nationwide, and can handle many different types of food donations from raw ingredients to prepared meals. Feeding America also advocates for hunger relief by working with lawmakers to make it easier for people in need to access food.
Current and ongoing business partners include Chick-fil-A, Jersey Mike’s, Conagra Foods, and DoorDash.
Giving Kitchen: Atlanta-based Giving Kitchen provides emergency assistance to food service workers facing unexpected hardships, offering both financial support and comprehensive case management services. Founded after the death of beloved local chef Ryan “Hidi” Hidinger after a fight with cancer, the organization not only offers emergency funds, but also provides mental health support, financial counseling, and connections to additional resources for those in need. Annual events include The Pinky charity golf tournament and the Team Hidi fundraising event.
Current and ongoing business partners include Chick-fil-A, KFC, Olo, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, and Toast.
Meals on Wheels: This nonprofit organization supports the largest senior nutrition program in the country, delivering 251 million meals annually to more than two million homebound senior citizens. Founded over 70 years ago, the organization not only addresses hunger issues within America’s aging population, but also social isolation challenges many senior citizens face. Corporate partners participate in meal preparation, volunteer coordination, and fundraising campaigns.
Current and past business partners include DoorDash, Food Lion, Barilla, and KFC.
Share Our Strength: Share Our Strength is most known for its No Kid Hungry Campaign, which is focused on ending childhood hunger — an issue that affects one in five children in the U.S. The organization works to connect kids with nutritious food where they live, learn, and play through school breakfast programs, summer meals, afterschool snacks, and family engagement initiatives. Last year, No Kid Hungry raised $121 million.
Advocacy events and campaigns include the Dine Out for No Kid Hungry program, in which participating restaurant operators donate a portion of proceeds during designated periods, and the CEO Pledge to End Summer Hunger, which has been signed and supported by nearly 20 corporate CEOs.
Restaurant leaders who have signed the CEO Pledge include Christine Barone, CEO of Dutch Bros; Scott Boatwright, CEO of Chipotle Mexican Grill; Paul Brown, cofounder and CEO of Inspire Brands; Russell Weiner, CEO of Domino’s; and Danny Meyer, founder of Union Square Hospitality Group.
Southern Smoke Foundation: Founded by chef Chris Shepherd, Southern Smoke Foundation provides emergency relief services to food and beverage workers in crisis. The organization offers financial assistance for natural disasters, medical emergencies, and mental health support, specifically designed for the unique challenges facing restaurant industry workers. The organization gained national prominence during Hurricane Harvey and expanded significantly during COVID-19. Since 2017, the organization has raised more than $15 million in funds to support foodservice workers in crisis.
Current and ongoing business partners include Resy, Sysco, MML Hospitality, and Pappas Restaurants.
A girl in Gaza stands with a pot of rice and shredded chicken. | World Central Kitchen
World Central Kitchen: Founded by celebrity chef José Andrés, World Central Kitchen (WCK) provides meals in the wake of natural disasters and humanitarian crises worldwide. WCK has served millions of meals following hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The organization’s #ChefsForTheWorld initiative connects culinary professionals globally, creating a network ready to deploy when disaster strikes. Over the past year alone, World Central Kitchen has provided on-the-ground assistance and prepared meals to people in need in the wake of fires in California, flooding in Texas, Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica, and the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
Current and past partners and advisors include chef Marcus Samuelsson, Nestle, WorldChefs, Sweetgreen, and Snooze.
