Home vs Hunger Raises $47,293 for World Central Kitchen in 2024

HIGH POINT, NC, November 8, 2024… Gift for Life’s Home vs Hunger team surpassed an ambitious fundraising goal for 2024, with a record $47,293 raised for World Central Kitchen’s crisis-related hunger relief programs through its “Party with a Purpose” events held at the Spring and Fall editions of High Point Market.  

“We are overwhelmed by the industry’s enthusiasm and generosity,” said Russ Jones, Chair of Gift for Life’s Home Vs Hunger team. “Thanks to the support of the design industry and our dedicated partners, this year we have raised more than $47,000 for World Central Kitchen’s vital efforts to combat hunger in crisis situations. This result exemplifies the power of coming together with a shared purpose.”

The most recent “Party with a Purpose” event, October 27 at the Eichholtz showroom in High Point, NC, brought together industry professionals for an enjoyable night of camaraderie and hunger relief philanthropy. Major donors, including Eichholtz, Currey & Company, Ivystone, J.Douglas and Loloi Rugs were among key contributors to the event's success.

Since its inception at the Fall 2022 High Point Market, Home Vs Hunger has raised over $100,000 through a combination of in-person events and online campaigns. This includes past fundraisers that supported efforts following the 2023 earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, as well as the devastating wildfires in Maui.

Donations will be accepted for a few weeks longer at www.giftforlife.org/donate.  All funds raised by Home vs Hunger directly support World Central Kitchen’s ongoing hunger relief initiatives, which provide meals to communities affected by natural disasters, conflict, and other crises around the world.  

Gift for Life’s Home vs Hunger team members include Chris Amos, ANDMORE; Mark Furlet, ANDMORE; Sharon Davis, ART; Jen Dolan, Arteriors; Jenny Heinzen York, Currey & Company; Jonathan Cochran, Eichholtz; Russ Jones, Ivystone; Christie Schellenbach, Ivystone; Douglas Self, J Douglas; and Sandra Standefer, Loloi Rugs. 

Gift for Life was founded by Peter 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, Gift for Life pivoted towards online digital events with a specific emphasis on supporting World Central Kitchen’s COVID-related hunger relief. Since that time, Gift for Life has led gift and home industry efforts to fund provision of nearly 100,000 hot, nutritious meals to communities impacted by crisis and conflict worldwide. Gift for Life, the gift and home industries’ longest-running, volunteer-led, national charitable organization, continues to support year-round programs that address hunger relief, as well as annual support for AIDS Walk NY which benefits GMHC’s HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention, and advocacy programs. More information is available at www.giftforlife.org. 

Founded in 2010 by Chef José Andrés, World Central Kitchen (WCK) is a nonprofit organization that is first to the frontlines providing fresh meals in response to crises, while working to build resilient food systems with locally led solutions. Applying a model of quick action, leveraging local resources, and adapting in real time, WCK has served more than 300 million nourishing meals around the world. When disaster strikes, WCK’s Relief Team mobilizes with the urgency of now to start cooking and serving meals to people in need. By partnering with organizations on the ground and activating a network of local restaurants, food trucks, or emergency kitchens, WCK serves comforting meals to survivors of disasters quickly and effectively. To support regional economies, WCK prioritizes purchasing local ingredients to cook with or distribute directly to families in need. WCK knows that good food provides not only nourishment, but also comfort and hope, especially in times of crisis. Learn more at www.wck.org.