SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Williams Sonoma announced today the launch of its sixth annual campaign to benefit No Kid Hungry, a national initiative to end childhood hunger in America. This year the retailer is increasing its fundraising efforts from 2016, aiming to raise $2 million, which will help connect children in need to nearly 20 million meals.
“Thanks to our incredibly generous customers, friends of the brand and employees Williams Sonoma was able to raise more than $3.3 million since 2012 to support No Kid Hungry, which equates to 33 million meals served to children in need across the nation,” said Janet Hayes, president of Williams Sonoma. “This year, we’re continuing our efforts with an even loftier goal. We’re renewing our commitment to an organization dedicated to making No Kid Hungry a reality through awareness, action and education.”
To help achieve this year’s fundraising goal and amplify the campaign, Williams Sonoma joined forces with prominent celebrities, chefs and brands to take part in its fourth annual customer-favorite "Tools for Change" program. This year’s “tools” include a collection of limited-edition celebrity designed spatulas. Now available in stores and online at williams-sonoma.com, the exclusive spatulas retail for $12.95 each, with thirty percent of the retail price benefiting No Kid Hungry. For every dollar raised, No Kid Hungry can connect a child with ten healthy meals.*
This year’s limited-edition spatulas were designed by the following celebrity personalities and brands:
- The American Girl™ brand
- Actress and Activist Kristen Bell
- Academy Award-winning Actor and No Kid Hungry National Spokesperson Jeff Bridges
- Celebrity Culinarian Alton Brown
- Cookbook Author and Host Ayesha Curry
- Chef and Author Giada De Laurentiis
- Chef Bobby Flay
- Award-winning Actor Neil Patrick Harris and Chef and Actor David Burtka
- Music Superstar Faith Hill
- Shake Shack
- Grammy Award Winning Musician and co-founder of The Roots, Musical Director of The Tonight Show and James Beard Award Nominated author Questlove
Actress Kristen Bell, who designed a sloth-themed spatula, shared why she is a champion for the cause, explaining, “Sluggish and hungry is not the recipe for a child’s success. That’s why I’m working with No Kid Hungry to connect kids to the food they need to reach their full potential.”
Questlove also commented, "As I have become more involved in food-related creativity, I have tried to become more involved in food-related causes. No Kid Hungry is one of the most compelling. They say that breakfast is the most important meal, and childhood is the breakfast of life."
Starting today, celebrity spatula designers will be spreading the word on social media by competing in a “spatdown” posting about the campaign, with the goal of selling the most spatulas. Williams Sonoma will make a five-thousand-dollar donation to No Kid Hungry on behalf of the winner. Watch the “spatdown” unfold live by following @williamssonoma on Instagram and become a part of the conversation by using #WSNoKidHungry.
Beginning September 1, 2017, through the month of October, Williams Sonoma will be the exclusive retailer to carry America The Great Cookbook published by Weldon Owen, featuring recipes from 100 of America’s most celebrated chefs. The book offers an intimate glimpse into the lives of award-winning chefs Mario Batali, José Andrés and Marcus Samuelsson, and food revolutionaries such as Ruth Reichl and Charles Phan, as they share what they cook for their loved ones. Weldon Owen is a proud supporter of the No Kid Hungry campaign, and has committed to help No Kid Hungry connect kids with at least 200,000 meals through sales of America The Great Cookbook.
Fundraising efforts will take place in all Williams Sonoma stores across the country, as No Kid Hungry impacts local communities through partnerships with local organizations. Each Williams Sonoma store will display the names of the organizations No Kid Hungry has worked with in the local community to fulfill their mission.
Williams Sonoma retail locations will also host cooking classes for kids during August and No Kid Hungry month, the month of September. Classes include:
- Saturday, August 26, 2017, American Girl Lunch Party. The cost is $30, with 30 percent of the ticketed price benefiting No Kid Hungry, and includes an American Girl sandwich cutter set.
- Saturday, September 2, 2017, Fall Donut Party. The cost is $30, with 30 percent of the ticketed price benefiting No Kid Hungry, and includes a donut pan.
- Wednesday, September 13, 2017, America The Great Cookbook Club. The cost is $50, which includes a copy of the book and a $10 donation to No Kid Hungry. The class will feature recipes from Chef Mario Batali and food writer Ruth Reichl.
- Saturday, September 16, 2017, Pancake Party. The cost is a $5 donation that goes directly to No Kid Hungry.
To sign up for a class, call or visit your local store. www.williams-sonoma.com/customer-service/store-locator.html
Donations can also be made online by visiting: www.williams-sonoma.com/products/no-kid-hungry-donation/
For more information about No Kid Hungry or to purchase products benefiting the organization visit: www.williams-sonoma.com/nokidhungry.
*To learn more about No Kid Hungry visit: www.nokidhungry.org/onedollar
About Williams Sonoma
Since its founding by Chuck Williams in 1956, the Williams Sonoma brand has been bringing people together around food. A member of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE: WSM) portfolio of brands, Williams Sonoma is a leading specialty retailer of high-quality products for the kitchen and home, providing world-class service and an engaging customer experience. Products include cookware, cooks’ tools, cutlery, electrics, bakeware, food, tabletop and bar, outdoor, cookbooks, as well as furniture, lighting and decorative accessories. Each store offers cooking classes and tastings conducted by expert culinary staff. A comprehensive gift registry program for weddings and other special events is available in stores and online. On williams-sonoma.com and the Williams Sonoma blog, Taste, customers can find recipes, tips, and techniques that help them create delicious meals and wonderful memories. Williams Sonoma is a proud supporter of No Kid Hungry, a nonprofit dedicated to ending childhood hunger in America. Follow Williams Sonoma on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+ and YouTube.
About No Kid Hungry
No child should go hungry in America, but 1 in 6 kids will face hunger this year. Using proven, practical solutions, No Kid Hungry is ending childhood hunger today by ensuring that kids start the day with a nutritious breakfast and families learn the skills they need to shop and cook on a budget. When we all work together, we can make sure kids get the healthy food they need. No Kid Hungry is a campaign of national anti-hunger organization Share Our Strength. Join us at NoKidHungry.org.
