St. Louis Restaurants Launch 'Countdown to Thanksgiving' Food Drive to Combat Hunger

The "Countdown to Thanksgiving" community initiative brings together all 15 Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken locations and 9 Hotshots Sports Bar & Grill locations across the St. Louis region in a coordinated effort to collect non-perishable food items for Operation Food Search. The program runs through November 21 and aims to support families facing food insecurity during a period when many households experience increased financial pressures and nutritional needs.

Community members can participate by donating items such as canned vegetables, beans, pasta, rice, peanut butter, and boxed meals at any participating restaurant location. Donors will receive a complimentary Coca-Cola beverage and have the opportunity to enter drawings for $100 gift cards from both restaurant chains, as well as four home game hockey tickets. The initiative represents a collaborative effort between the restaurants, Coca-Cola, and 101 ESPN Radio to address pressing community needs.

"The need across our community is urgent, and the team at Operation Food Search is working tirelessly to continue their incredible efforts supporting families across our region," said Dan Sokolik, Vice President of Marketing at Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken. The food drive builds upon Lee's existing commitment to addressing food insecurity through its year-round partnership with GiftAMeal, which turns guest dining experiences into meals for local families.

The GiftAMeal program allows guests to support local food banks by scanning QR codes found inside Lee's restaurants or on select packaging, triggering donations that provide groceries to nearby food banks. The program requires no app download and becomes even more impactful when participants share photos of their meals on social media. St. Louis residents and Lee's guests nationwide can continue supporting local food banks throughout the year by visiting https://www.GiftAMeal.com.

Operation Food Search, the beneficiary organization, is a St. Louis-based nonprofit dedicated to fighting hunger and improving access to nutritious food in the community. This restaurant partnership demonstrates how local businesses can effectively mobilize resources and community participation to address critical social issues, particularly during holiday seasons when food insecurity often intensifies for vulnerable populations.