St. Louis Restaurants Launch 'Countdown to Thanksgiving' Food Drive to Support Local Families

Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken and Hotshots Sports Bar & Grill have launched the Countdown to Thanksgiving initiative, a community food collection effort running through November 21 across the St. Louis region. The partnership brings together 15 Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken locations and 9 Hotshots Sports Bar & Grill locations to collect non-perishable food items for Operation Food Search, a local nonprofit dedicated to fighting hunger and improving access to nutritious food.

Community members can participate by donating items such as canned vegetables, beans, pasta, rice, peanut butter, and boxed meals at any participating location. Those who contribute receive a complimentary Coca-Cola beverage and have the opportunity to enter drawings for $100 gift cards from both Lee's and Hotshots, as well as four home game hockey tickets. The incentive program is supported by Coca-Cola and 101 ESPN Radio to encourage broader community participation during the holiday season.

Dan Sokolik, Vice President of Marketing at Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken, emphasized the urgency of community needs, stating that Operation Food Search teams are working tirelessly to support families across the region. The restaurant chain views this initiative as part of its larger mission to bring comfort and care to the communities it serves, building on existing charitable efforts including their year-round program with GiftAMeal.

The Countdown to Thanksgiving initiative represents a significant expansion of Lee's ongoing commitment to addressing food insecurity. Through their partnership with GiftAMeal, which turns guest dining experiences into meals for local families, the company has established multiple channels for community support. Guests can participate in the GiftAMeal program by scanning QR codes found inside Lee's restaurants or on select packaging, triggering donations to nearby food banks through a simple mobile web experience that requires no app download.

This coordinated effort between multiple businesses and community organizations demonstrates how corporate partnerships can effectively address pressing social issues. By combining resources and reach, the participating establishments can mobilize substantial community support for hunger relief during a critical time of year. The program's structure, which includes both immediate incentives for donors and long-term support mechanisms, creates sustainable impact beyond the holiday season.

For St. Louis residents seeking to support local food banks throughout the year, the GiftAMeal program remains available at Lee's locations nationwide. Additional information about Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken can be found at leesfamousrecipe.com. The Countdown to Thanksgiving initiative represents a meaningful collaboration between local businesses and community organizations, creating multiple pathways for residents to support neighbors in need during the holiday season and beyond.