Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken and Hotshots Sports Bar & Grill have launched the "Countdown to Thanksgiving" community initiative, running through November 21 to support St. Louis families facing food insecurity. The partnership brings together all 15 Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken locations and 9 Hotshots Sports Bar & Grill locations across the St. Louis region in a coordinated effort to collect non-perishable food items for Operation Food Search. Community members can participate by donating items such as canned vegetables, beans, pasta, rice, peanut butter, and boxed meals at any participating restaurant location.
Donors will 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. The initiative represents a collaborative effort between the restaurants, Coca-Cola, and 101 ESPN Radio to address pressing community needs during the holiday season. "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," said Dan Sokolik, Vice President of Marketing at Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken.
The food drive builds upon Lee's existing commitment to addressing food insecurity through its year-round partnership with GiftAMeal, which turns guest dining experiences into meals for local families. The GiftAMeal program allows guests to support local food banks by scanning QR codes found inside Lee's restaurants or on select packaging, triggering donations that provide groceries to nearby food banks. The program requires no app download and becomes even more impactful when participants share photos of their meals on social media. St. Louis residents and Lee's guests nationwide can continue supporting local food banks throughout the year by visiting www.GiftAMeal.com.
Operation Food Search, the beneficiary organization, is a St. Louis-based nonprofit dedicated to fighting hunger and improving access to nutritious food in the community. The "Countdown to Thanksgiving" initiative represents a significant community mobilization effort as restaurants unite to address food insecurity during a period when many families face increased financial pressures and nutritional needs. This coordinated approach demonstrates how local businesses can effectively partner to make a meaningful impact on critical social issues affecting their communities.
