State Farm Arena to host events combating food insecurity
The Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena are hosting two philanthropic events next weekend, Sept. 27-28, targeting food insecurity in the community.
According to this year’s Map the Meal Gap study, 1 in 7 people, and 1 in 5 children, are facing hunger in the state of Georgia. That number is reportedly on the rise.
On Saturday, Sept. 27, roughly 5,000 volunteers from 100 organizations will join forces at the arena for the fifth annual Million Meal Pack.
Working in 90-minute shifts, volunteers assemble 1 million meals to be distributed to metro Atlanta communities by U.S. Hunger, a relief organization that distributes food across the globe.
The packaged meals will consist of a shelf-stable, dried jambalaya mix formulated to provide six servings once prepared.
“By bringing together our agents, employees, and volunteers, we’re continuing our mission to uplift neighborhoods through service, support, and a shared commitment to a brighter future,” Allyson Watts, senior vice president at State Farm, said in a news release.
A limited number of volunteer shifts are still available. Sign up at nba.com/hawks/mealpack.
On Sunday, Sept. 28, roughly another 1,000 people will flood the arena floor to dine family-style at the inaugural Forkside Seats. Guests sit in tables of 10 for a four-course meal prepared by 18 Atlanta restaurants.
Chef G. Garvin, State Farm Arena’s chief culinary officer, helped curate the dining experience — inviting trending Atlanta restaurants such as Avize, Cafe Momentum Atlanta, Bosk, Lucky Star, Verdura Sincera and Tiger Sun, among others.
A cocktail hour proceeds the meal.
Forkside Seats benefits Giving Kitchen, a nonprofit organization that supports food service workers in times of need. Those needs could include food insecurity or other emergency needs.
The Giving Kitchen has assisted individuals with housing, utility payments, treatment for substance misuse, financial hardship and employment. The organization has awarded more than $16 million in emergency assistance to 31,000 food service workers and 6,700 children.
“We’re blending the energy of the arena with the heart of hospitality to create a night unlike any other,” said Jen Hidinger-Kendrick, a founder of Giving Kitchen, in a news release. “Forkside Seats celebrates Atlanta’s dynamic culinary community … in support of the people who make our city’s food scene thrive.”
Tickets to Forkside Seats are still available. Tickets start at $250 and are available at e.givesmart.com/events.
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