Usually my research leads me to the latest travel trends, the best beaches or the newest theme park rides (that is, when it isn’t sending me off to cute puppy pictures and amazing online shopping opportunities). Sometimes, though, it takes me down an entirely different path.
It all began with Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville (which probably comes as no surprise to those that know me). I was checking out the latest news for my Celebrity Restaurants column at Examiner.com. It turns out the tropical dining destination was participating in a nationwide event to benefit Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign. Quick service to family-friendly casual dining restaurants across the U.S. participate in this yearly event held in September.
Photo: Share Our Strength
Share Our Strength
It’s a sad fact that one in five children in America struggles with hunger. Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign is committed to ending childhood hunger by connecting kids in need with nutritious food as well as teaching families how to prepare and cook healthy and affordable meals. You can help provide kids with the nutritious food they need by participating in a Share Our Strength culinary event.
Share Our Strength’s culinary events showcase the nation’s best chefs and draw upon a national network of dedicated volunteers. Events are a great way to experience new tastes and culinary creations while benefitting a worthy cause. Proceeds from these events, which include Dinners and Taste of the Nation, are used to help fund the No Kid Hungry campaign to ensure that all children in America get the healthy food they need every day.
Founded in 1984, Share Our Strength has become one of America’s most effective nonprofits, winning acclaim for its visionary efforts in establishing corporate partnerships tailored to achieve each company’s business objectives. Please visit ShareOurStrength.org to learn more about the organization or to make a donation.
Photo: ShareOurStrength.org
Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry Dinners
Presented by Citi, the national series of No Kid Hungry Dinners are hosted by renowned chefs who come together with their industry and community peers to create multi-course meals with a cause. Guests enjoy a one-of-a-kind dining experience while contributing to Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign in the process.
No Kid Hungry Dinners often feature guest speakers and unique culinary, travel and lifestyle auctions. Since 2005, these special event dinners have raised more than $7 million to support the work of the campaign, which is connecting kids to nutrition programs like school breakfast and summer meals and teaching low-income families how to shop for and cook healthy and affordable meals.
Check out the upcoming Richmond, Virginia No Kid Hungry Dinner at Rappahannock Oyster Company by clicking right here.
To learn more about the No Kid Hungry campaign and Dinner series, please visit NoKidHungry.org.
Photo: ShareOurStrength.org
Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation
Taste of the Nation for No Kid Hungry is a premier culinary benefit event dedicated to ending childhood hunger in America. Taste of the Nation events take place each spring and summer in cities across the United States. Some of the nation’s hottest chefs and mixologists donate their time and talents at nearly 40 events throughout the U.S. Since 1988, Taste of the Nation has raised more than $89 million, with 100% of the proceeds going to support Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign. Sponsors include OpenTable, Citi, Food Network, Sysco, Kikkoman and Emmi Roth USA.
To find Share Our Strength culinary events in your area, please click here.
Photo: ShareOurStrength.org
Dine Out For No Kid Hungry
Every September, restaurants across America take part in Share Our Strength’s Dine Out For No Kid Hungry. The premise is simple. Visit a participating restaurant, and a portion of the proceeds go to the No Kid Hungry campaign. Restaurants such as Denny’s, Arby’s, Joe’s Crab Shack, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville and thousands of others participate in this event. Many locations even have extra incentives and proceed matching plans.
Photo: ShareOurStrength.org
Food Network’s NYC Wine and Food Festival
I was also really excited to learn about the NYC Wine and Food Festival. Presented by Food Network, this incredible event brings together some of the world’s greatest chefs and Food Network stars (such as Bobby Flay, Rachael Ray, Anne Burrell, Trisha Yearwood and many more), wine and spirits producers and Food Network and Cooking Channel stars. Events include Grand Tastings, cooking classes, speaking panels, intimate dinners and walk-around tastings. Proceeds benefit No Kid Hungry and the Food Bank for New York City.
Be sure to keep in touch here or at my Celebrity Restaurants column at Examiner.com for more information on this exciting event, which takes place October 15-18, 2015.
Get Social with Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry
I’m proud to be part of Team No Kid Hungry.
