Gift for Life Kicks Off 2023 Fundraising at Las Vegas Market

LAS VEGAS – January 10, 2023 – Gift for Life, the gift and home industries’ sole charity, and International Market Centers (IMC) are kicking off 2023 fundraising at the Winter Las Vegas Market, January 28 – February 2, 2023 at World Market Center Las Vegas. Proceeds raised by participating brands, sales agencies and retailers will aid World Central Kitchen’s (WCK) crisis-related hunger relief around the globe.

“As we start a new year, we are reminded that crisis-related hunger persists throughout the world,” said Cole Daugherty, Gift for Life Chair. “We’re delighted to host our first fundraiser of the year in partnership with the Las Vegas Market.  Our goal is to raise $20,000 for World Central Kitchen with this event.”

Matthew Katzenson, Gift for Life board member and principal of the Fine Lines sales agency, is spearheading the January fundraiser.  In addition to Fine Lines, other participants confirmed to date are:  Hachette Buying Group, K Hall Studio, Meri Meri, Poppy Popcorn, Nest: New Era Sales Team, Road Runners, Rock Scissor Paper. Soulku and Toyology.  IMC, owner/operator of Las Vegas Market, also has pledged a $2,500 donation toward the goal. 

“IMC is honored to maintain its long-standing support for Gift for Life by hosting this first fundraiser of the year,” said Bob Maricich, IMC CEO. “With its appeal to the gift and home industry alike, Las Vegas Market is well-positioned to support an organization that is helping to feed the hungry.”

Las Vegas Market exhibitors are raising money in a variety of ways including donations of a portion of at-Market sales, pledging $1 per order or flat-fee contributions. To donate, visit https://donate.wck.org/LVWinter23.

Founded in 2010 by Chef José Andrés, World Central Kitchen (WCK) uses the power of food to nourish communities and strengthen economies in times of crisis and beyond. In 2020, with COVID-19 straining traditional food security safety nets like school feeding programs, city services and food banks, WCK pivoted to safely distribute individually packaged, fresh meals in communities that needed support and launched the Restaurants for the People program to scale nationwide. Fast forward to 2022 and the escalating crisis in Ukraine and at home. When disaster strikes, WCK’s Chef Relief Team mobilizes to the front lines making sure there is always a warm meal, an encouraging word, and a helping hand. World Central Kitchen has provided tens of millions of fresh, nourishing meals for communities around the world. Donations will be used to support emergency food relief efforts and resilience programs. For information, visit www.wck.org.

Gift for Life was founded by Peter Schauben of Appleman Schauben in 1992 in response to the tragic loss of industry lives to AIDS. The organization’s first meeting at the National Stationery Show brought together a cross-section of the industry’s leading publishers, market centers, sales reps, manufacturers, and retailers – all willing to convene and work together towards a common goal. Since that time, Gift for Life has raised nearly $6 million for AIDS research, education, treatment and care through nationwide at-market events, cause marketing programs and direct donations. In 2021, with COVID-19 temporarily causing cancelation of in-person events at industry markets, Gift for Life pivoted towards online digital events with a specific emphasis on COVID-related hunger relief. In 2023, the all-volunteer organization will continue to support programs that address hunger relief. More information is available at www.giftforlife.org.

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Media Contact:

Cathy Steel, cathysteel@cathysteelassociates.com, 203-340-9251