One in five children in America struggles with hunger. It’s a staggering statistic and one that First Watch hopes to help rectify. The award-winning Breakfast, Brunch and Lunch restaurant company today announced a yearlong campaign to raise more than $50,000 for Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign. First Watch’s donation will help connect 500,000 meals to children at risk of hunger across the country.*
As part of the campaign, First Watch will donate 25 cents from every kid’s meal purchased for one year and 50 cents from each bag of its house-made granola sold in September. This is the first time ever that the granola is being offered for retail purchase.
“First Watch has been a major supporter of Share Our Strength® for the past five years, and this year, we are increasing our commitment,” said Chris Tomasso, chief marketing officer for First Watch. “We are striving for a record-breaking donation through our kid’s meal and granola sales with the hopes of helping connect nearly 500,000 meals to kids who need them. There is a powerful message here and one that we cannot ignore. Childhood hunger has to end, and this is just one way First Watch is trying to help.”
First Watch has partnered with the No Kid Hungry campaign since 2009 and has donated more than $90,000 to the cause. This year, First Watch is pledging to raise $50,000, which will help connect kids struggling with hunger to 500,000 meals. Money raised through the sale of its newly retailed 12-ounce bags of granola throughout the month of September will be in addition to the $50,000 contribution.
First Watch is known for its fresh, healthy approach to Breakfast, Brunch and Lunch, and its kid’s menu is no exception with choices that emphasize lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy. The kid’s menu, in cooperation with the National Restaurant Association’s Kids LiveWell program, features items that meet qualifying nutrition criteria based on leading health organizations’ scientific recommendations, including the 2010 USDA Dietary Guidelines.
For more information on Share Our Strength and No Kid Hungry, visit nokidhungry.org.
*This amount was determined on the basis that $1 can help connect a child with up to 10 nutritious meals, which is, in turn, based on the individual experiences of Share Our Strength’s grant recipients. It is provided to illustrate how community investments can be used to help end childhood hunger. Each contribution made to Share Our Strength represents a contribution to its original mission. Donations will be used to reach the highest number of children facing hunger in America. Share Our Strength is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization.
First Watch specializes in award-winning, made-to-order Breakfast, Brunch and Lunch. A recipient of more than 200 “Best Breakfast” and “Best Brunch” accolades, First Watch offers traditional favorites, such as omelets, pancakes, sandwiches and salads, and unique specialty items like the fan-favorite Chickichanga and Fresh Fruit Crepes. Named a 2013 “Next 20” emerging brand by Nation’s Restaurant News, First Watch is currently the largest daytime-only restaurant concept in the U.S. with more than 110 restaurants in 15 states and additional units under development as part of the Bradenton, Fla.-based company’s aggressive growth strategy. For more information, visit www.firstwatch.com.