The "Countdown to Thanksgiving" initiative brings together 15 Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken locations and 9 Hotshots Sports Bar & Grill locations across the St. Louis region to collect non-perishable food items through November 21. The community effort aims to support Operation Food Search, a St. Louis-based nonprofit dedicated to fighting hunger and improving access to nutritious food in the community.
This collaboration addresses the urgent need for food assistance in the St. Louis area during the holiday season. Community members can donate items such as canned vegetables, beans, pasta, rice, peanut butter, and boxed meals at participating locations. Those who contribute receive a complimentary Coca-Cola beverage and have the opportunity to enter drawings for $100 gift cards from both restaurant chains, as well as four home game hockey tickets.
Dan Sokolik, Vice President of Marketing at Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken, emphasized the critical nature of the initiative. "The need across our community is urgent, and the team at Operation Food Search is working tirelessly to continue their incredible efforts supporting families across our region," Sokolik stated. "We're proud to stand with our friends at Hotshots and our partners at Coca-Cola to help St. Louis families feel supported this Thanksgiving."
The seasonal food drive represents an extension of Lee's ongoing commitment to addressing food insecurity through its partnership with GiftAMeal. This year-round program allows guests to support local food banks simply by scanning QR codes found inside Lee's restaurants or on select packaging. The scan opens a mobile web experience where guests can take a photo of their meal to trigger a donation that provides groceries to a nearby food bank.
The significance of this initiative lies in its multi-faceted approach to combating food insecurity during a period when many families face increased financial pressures. By combining immediate holiday assistance through the food drive with sustainable, year-round support through digital platforms, the partnership creates a comprehensive solution to hunger in the St. Louis community. The involvement of multiple local businesses demonstrates how corporate-community partnerships can effectively address pressing social issues while engaging customers in meaningful ways.
For St. Louis residents seeking to support local hunger relief efforts beyond the holiday season, the GiftAMeal program remains available at Lee's locations nationwide. Additional information about Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken can be found at leesfamousrecipe.com.
