In May of 2017, Chili’s hosted its eighth annual fundraiser in which guests are given the opportunity to dine out and donate right from their table to benefit local 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Waste Not. The excess perishable food rescue and transfer organization has been feeding the Valley’s hungry for three decades and transferred a record 2.9 million pounds of food last year, feeding 75,000 people. Thanks to this donation from Chili’s in the amount of $24,226, Waste Not is on track for another record year. All 19 metro-Phoenix Chili’s locations participated in and promoted this fundraiser.
During May 18-28, guests dined at their favorite local Chili’s location and had the opportunity to give back to Waste Not by asking Chili’s to donate 15 percent of their check and/or by making an additional donation with their server. This program has quickly become one that loyal Chili’s patrons and local residents alike look forward to each summer.
“This was our eighth year of supporting Waste Not and it is a pleasure to play a part in this fundraiser each year,” said Nick Kretsedemas, Chili’s Arizona director of operations. “Their work is near and dear to our hearts. So for 10 days, we connect, serve, and give to create the best life for those most in need. We are grateful for the opportunity to not only help educate our communities about the dire issue of hunger in our Valley, but also involve our guests in Waste Not’s mission to daily answer the need.”
Notably, every dollar given to Waste Not feeds six people. The Chili’s location in Happy Valley was the top-fundraising restaurant for the second year in a row, with their donations totaling more than $2,300.
More than $189,000 has been raised for Waste Not through the Chili’s annual fundraising event for the benefit of Waste Not, since the partnership began eight years ago. These funds support the organization’s daily operations, which make it possible to transfer up to 20,000 pounds of food per day to families in need throughout metro Phoenix. Waste Not helps alleviate local hunger by rescuing excess perishable food that would otherwise go to waste, and delivering it to a network of more than 100 agencies and organizations that feed the hungry.
To learn more about Chili’s, its locations and menu, visit chilis.com/locations. For the latest updates, follow Chili’s on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
About Waste Not
Established in 1987, Waste Not is a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit that feeds thousands of hungry people in Arizona every day. With one in four children going to bed hungry every night, and 16.1 percent of the population in the state living in poverty, hunger remains a prevalent issue. The organization’s trucks and drivers are on the road six days per week to answer this need, by collecting an average of 20,000 pounds of excess perishable food from restaurants, resorts, caterers, grocers and various other food purveyors – food that would otherwise be thrown away. Waste Not delivers the food the same day to more than 100 diverse agencies that feed the hungry including schools, after-school programs, daycare centers, rehabilitation centers, transition homes and senior facilities. A record 2.9 million pounds of food was transferred in 2016. For more information about Waste Not, please visit www.wastenotaz.org. Follow the food rescue journey on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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