For eight years, Garner Foods has been a contributing supporter of No Kid Hungry, a national campaign to end childhood hunger in America. Their donations over the years can help provide up to 800,000 critical meals to children in need across the country. * This year, Garner Foods and Texas Pete® will be announcing their donations at the opening virtual event for the 2020 MUFSO program on Thursday, October 1st.
In a discussion with Kate Searby, Senior Partnership Manager for No Kid Hungry, we learned that this year the need is even greater due to unemployment and school closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Before the pandemic, 1 in 7 children across the country were struggling with hunger,” said Searby. “However, an estimated 1 in 4 children in the US could face hunger this year because of the coronavirus.”
Since the pandemic hit in March, No Kid Hungry has provided nearly $27 Million dollars of emergency funds to more than 1,000 organizations to provide meals to kids across the nation and are committed to send at least another $35 million dollars through December.
These funds go directly to helping provide children with nutritional meals through schools and other community service organizations. In many cases, this is the only food a child might get on a given day.
“The No Kid Hungry campaign is such an important service for our next generation,” says Glenn Garner, CMO for Garner Foods. “As a family owned and operated company that has built our culture around bringing good meals to so many dining rooms and restaurant tables, their mission and goals resonate with our own. We’re very grateful to have the opportunity to provide our support every year.”
In years past, Garner Foods has hosted an event at the Multi-Unit Food Service Organization (MUFSO) show called the “Kitchen Hero Cook-Off” through their Texas Pete® brand. This event hosts nationally recognized chefs from top restaurant chains in a competition to use Texas Pete products, and a basket of ingredients, to create unique dishes. MUFSO has been an amazing ally in promoting this event and helping educate show attendees and industry leaders on the No Kid Hungry campaign. Texas Pete makes a donation on behalf of the winner of the competition to the charity of their choice, as well as a donation to No Kid Hungry. It’s a powerful tool to educate foodservice professionals about the No Kid Hungry campaign and communicate the important work they are doing.
Due to the need for safety and social distancing, the 2020 Texas Pete® Kitchen Hero Cook-off has been cancelled. However, Garner Foods wanted to ensure their ongoing support of No Kid Hungry would continue. Therefore, they are making a donation of $10,000 dollars to No Kid Hungry to help provide meals for kids in need.
“Garner Food’s support has been a huge help to No Kid Hungry,” explains Kate Searby. “Beyond the direct donations, they’ve been an incredibly valuable partner to help create awareness and education about our work to influential professionals in the foodservice industry. We’re so grateful for all the work Garner Foods has done on our behalf. As an example, last year’s Texas Pete® Kitchen Hero Cook-Off winner has actually become a very passionate supporter of No Kid Hungry, volunteering his time and influence to share the story of providing meals for hungry children.”
*$1 can provide up to 10 meals. Meal equivalency varies during COVID-19 relief. Learn more at NoKidHungry.org/OneDollar
To learn more about No Kid Hungry, visit www.nokidhungry.com.
To learn more about Garner Foods products, visit www.garnerfoods.com.
