Jersey Mike’s to donate to Feeding America
20% of weekend sales will help fight food insecurity in US
Jersey Mike’s Subs will team up with Feeding America this weekend on a fundraising effort to help donate meals to those in need. As the coronavirus pandemic continues, food pantries across the region and the country continue to see an increased need for food assistance.
Projections from Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, indicate that one in six people in America may face food insecurity this year as a result of the pandemic, 40% of them for the first time.
On Saturday, Nov. 21, and Sunday, Nov. 22, Jersey Mike’s Subs will donate 20% of its sales to Feeding America. Jersey Mike’s operates eight locations in Berks (2), Chester (2), Delaware (1) and Montgomery (3) counties.
The donation is part of a pledge by the fast-casual chain to donate at least $1 million to help Feeding America’s network of 200 food banks. The network includes Philabundance, which has Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties in its service area and Helping Harvest in Berks County.
“Feeding America is excited to partner with Jersey Mike’s to help food banks across the country provide more meals to people in need,” Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, said in a press release. “This holiday season may look different, especially for the millions of families facing hunger, many for the first time. We encourage everyone (to) join the fight to end hunger.”
While the fast-casual dining company said a minimum of $1 million will be donated to the effort, the expectation is that the total will actually be higher. During a similar weekend fundraiser in April 2020, Jersey Mike’s raised more than $2 million for Feeding America — double its goal for that two-day effort.
That $2 million donation helped to provide 20 million meals through Feeding America’s food bank network. Each dollar donated helps to provide at least 10 meals, according to the release.
“We thank everyone for their generosity through our April fundraiser for Feeding America, which supported families during the height of COVID-19,” Peter Cancro, founder and CEO of Jersey Mike’s Franchise Systems Inc., said in the release. “While some of the country has rebounded, there are still families that are having a difficult time, and we are asking you to join us again at Jersey Mike’s this weekend to make a difference in someone’s life.”
During the fundraiser, Jersey Mike’s customers can place takeout orders in-store or for no contact pick-up at the door through the Jersey Mike’s website or the Jersey Mike’s app. Delivery is available through the app or through thirdparty delivery partners.
This weekend’s sales donation event is the latest in the company’s efforts to give back to its communities. During the course of the pandemic, Jersey Mike’s franchise owners across the country have donated millions of subs to local hospitals, first responders, children in need of a meal, senior citizens and more, the company said.
Another key fundraiser for Jersey Mike’s Subs is its annual Month of Giving in March — held for the past 10 years to raise money for 200 partner charities around the country. The culmination of the month is the Day of Giving — when 100% of the day’s sales are donated to a charity selected by the stores. This year’s Day of Giving was canceled because of the pandemic.
The company has what it calls a “culture of giving.”
“We believe that making a great sub sandwich and making a difference can be one in the same,” the company’s website states. Every Jersey Mike’s store that opens partners with a local charity organization. “Because the way we see it, a sub’s job isn’t done at simply tasting good. A sub should do good too.”
Through its network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries, Feeding American provides meals to more than 40 million people each year. For more information about Feeding America visit feedingamerica.org.
Jersey Mike’s Subs has more than 2,500 franchise locations open and under development nationwide. For more information, visit Please visit www.jerseymikes.com.