by LAS VEGAS — Gift for Life, the gift, stationery and home decor industries’ leading charitable organization, announced today that the Las Vegas edition of its “Feed the Hungry. Feel the Good.” fundraising campaign yielded nearly $28,000 for World Central Kitchen, an organization which distributes individually packaged, fresh meals in communities that need support during times of crisis.
The campaign, which ran in connection with this summer’s Las Vegas Market (August 22-26), raised a total of $27,997 for World Central Kitchen. In addition to a $10,000 matching donation from International Market Centers, individual donations, ranging from $50 to $2,600+, were received from Alexander Eck, Beatriz Ball, Corksicle, Design Works Collective, eNewton, Fine Lines, Global Views, Karma Gifts, Just Got 2 Have It! and Maileg, Monica Loving and others.
“Food insecurity continues to be a critical issue for our nation, in a year marked by the pandemic as well as fires and hurricanes,” said Cole Daugherty, chair of the Gift for Life board. “We are grateful for the industry’s generosity – whether from individuals or organizations – for World Central Kitchen and its efforts to aid individuals in need.”
Through Gift for Life’s “Feed the Hungry. Feel the Good.” campaign, donors of at least $50 were eligible for Las Vegas Market raffle drawings Prizes were secured by International Market Centers and donated by Connections Housing, Las Vegas Market’s official travel partner. Prize winners were: Warren Shoulberg – Round-trip airfare for two, and round-trip airport transfer, compliments of Connections Housing; Elizabeth Newton of eNewton – Cosmopolitan (2-night stay in a Premium Terrace One Bedroom Suite; $300 dining credit for dinner at Scarpetta); Michelle Ruby of Just Got 2 Have It! – The Golden Nugget (2-night stay in a Gold Tower King Room, 2 tickets to Gordie Brown or 52 Fridays; and $100 dining credit for Salt Grass Steakhouse); Adriana da Mello of Keena – Hilton Grand Vacations (2-night stay in a One Bedroom Suite); and Jeffrey Bryant – Plaza Hotel (2-night stay in a Deluxe Room; $100 dining credit for Oscar’s Steakhouse).
After the success of Gift for Life’s Summer 2021 “Feed the Hungry. Feel the Good.” campaign – which collectively raised $79,000+ through fundraising connected with the Atlanta Market, Las Vegas Market and Retail Excellence Awards – the Gift for Life board voted to continue the “Feed the Hungry. Feel the Good” campaign into and through the Winter/Spring 2022 market cycle. Details about specific initiatives will be announced in the coming weeks.
Founded in 2010 by Chef José Andrés, World Central Kitchen (WCK) uses the power of food to nourish communities and strengthen economies in times of crisis and beyond. In 2020, with COVID-19 straining traditional food security safety nets like school feeding programs, city services and food banks, WCK pivoted to safely distribute individually packaged, fresh meals in communities that need support and launched the Restaurants for the People program to scale nationwide. This program meets critical needs on two fronts: buying meals directly from restaurants and delivering them to Americans who need help. To date, the program has worked with 2,500 restaurants to serve over 12 million restaurant meals and have disbursed more than $135 million dollars directly to restaurants owners in 400 cities across 35 states. For information, visit www.wck.org.
Gift for Life was founded by Peter Schauben of Appleman Schauben in 1992 in response to the tragic loss of industry lives to AIDS. The organization’s first meeting at the National Stationery Show brought together a cross-section of the industry’s leading publishers, market centers, sales reps, manufacturers and retailers – all willing to convene and work together towards a common goal. Since that time, Gift for Life has raised nearly $6 million for AIDS research, education, treatment and care through nationwide at-market events, cause marketing programs and direct donations. With COVID-19 temporarily causing cancelation of in-person events at industry markets, Gift for Life has pivoted towards online digital events for the balance of 2021, with a specific emphasis on COVID-related hunger relief. Adam Glassman, creative director of Oprah Daily, serves as Gift for Life’s 2021 honorary chair and spokesperson. More information is available at www.giftforlife.org.
