SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Williams Sonoma, a member of the Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE: WSM) portfolio of brands announced today the launch of its fifth annual Tools for Change fundraising program benefitting No Kid Hungry, a national campaign to end childhood hunger in America. This year, the retailer is aiming to raise $2.5 million, which will help connect children in need to nearly 25 million meals.
As part of the fundraising efforts, Williams Sonoma and No Kid Hungry have partnered with 13 prominent celebrities, chefs, musicians, culinary personalities and social influencers to design limited-edition spatulas available at Williams Sonoma stores and online at www.williams-sonoma.com. In celebration of the campaign’s fifth year, limited edition mugs featuring the most popular celebrity designs from previous campaigns will also be available.
Each spatula retails for $14.95 and helps provide up to 40 meals for children in need, and the five-year anniversary mug retails for $12.95 and helps connect kids with up to 35 meals.
This year’s limited-edition spatulas and mugs were designed by the following:
Spatulas
- Al Roker, Journalist and Television Personality
- Amirah Kassem, Celebrity Baker
- Andy Cohen, Radio and Television Host
- Antoni Porowski, Television Personality, Actor, and Chef
- Gaby Dalkin, Celebrity Chef and Cookbook Author
- Guy Fieri, Celebrity Chef, Restaurateur, Author and Television Host
- Hannah Hart, Celebrity and Television Personality
- Ina Garten, Celebrity Chef and Cookbook Author
- Jose Andres, Celebrity Chef
- Lisa VanderPump, Television Personality, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist
- Sean Brock, Celebrity Chef
- Vanessa Hudgens, Actress
Mugs
- Giada De Laurentiis, Celebrity Chef and Cookbook Author
- Jeff Bridges, Award-winning Actor
- Kristen Bell, Actress
- Olivia Munn, Actress
- Trisha Yearwood, Singer
“We are committed to helping No Kid Hungry fight childhood hunger in the U.S. by raising money and awareness,” said Ryan Ross, President of Williams Sonoma. “To date our company, along with the help and generosity of our customers, colleagues, corporate partners and celebrity friends, has helped raise more than $8 million and provided up to 80 million meals to help children in need across the country. Our $2.5 million fundraising goal for 2019 will help provide 25 million additional meals for children in need.”
“As a new dad, it’s important to me more than ever to make sure all kids get the food they need to grow up healthy and strong,” said Andy Cohen, BRAVO executive producer and television host. “I’m fortunate to have a platform that reaches millions and believe I have a responsibility to shine more light on the issue of childhood hunger in the U.S., and encourage my fans to help No Kid Hungry reach more kids in need.”
"I think that cooking in and of itself is a celebration of color so what better way to pay tribute to the spatula than by making one a rainbow!” said Hannah Hart, celebrity and television personality. “I wanted this spatula to remind us to all come together, take care of each other, celebrate and support our communities. Supporting No kid hungry is such a practical way to do that. They are doing such important work to provide for kids in need across America.”
Starting August 15, this year’s spatula designers will be spreading the word on social media by competing in a “spatdown” posting about the campaign, with the goal of selling the most spatulas. Williams Sonoma will make a $5,000 donation to No Kid Hungry on behalf of the winner. Watch the “spatdown” competition unfold live by following @williamssonoma on Instagram and become a part of the conversation by using #WSNoKidHungry.
Fundraising efforts will take place in all Williams Sonoma stores across the country, as No Kid Hungry impacts local communities through partnerships with local organizations.
Williams Sonoma retail locations will also host cooking classes for kids during August and September. Classes include:
- Junior Chef: National Waffle Day Party – Saturday, August 24th at 10am - $20 includes Waffle Mix – proceeds benefit No Kid Hungry. Suitable for ages 8-13.
- Junior Chef: Pizza Party – Saturday, September 7th at 10am - $10 donation benefits No Kid Hungry. Suitable for ages 8-13.
- Junior Chef: Knife Skills – Saturday, September 14th at 10am - $50 includes a 5’’ Wüsthof Santoku Knife - proceeds benefit No Kid Hungry. Suitable for ages 8-13.
To sign up for the class, call or visit your local store. www.williams-sonoma.com/customer-service/store-locator.html
Donations can also be made online by visiting: www.williams-sonoma.com/products/no-kid-hungry-donation/
For more information about No Kid Hungry, or to purchase products benefiting the organization, visit: www.williams-sonoma.com/nokidhungry
ABOUT WILLIAMS SONOMA
Since its founding by Chuck Williams in 1956, the Williams Sonoma brand has been bringing people together around food. A member of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE: WSM) portfolio of brands, Williams Sonoma is a leading specialty retailer of high-quality products for the kitchen and home, providing world-class service and an engaging customer experience. Products include cookware, cooks’ tools, cutlery, electrics, bakeware, food, tabletop and bar, outdoor, cookbooks, as well as furniture, lighting and decorative accessories. Each store offers cooking classes and tastings conducted by expert culinary staff. A comprehensive gift registry program for weddings and other special events is available in stores and online. On williamssonoma.com and the Williams Sonoma blog, Taste, customers can find recipes, tips, and techniques that help them create delicious meals. Williams Sonoma can also be found on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and YouTube. Williams Sonoma is also part of The Key Rewards, a free-to-join loyalty program that offers members exclusive benefits across the Williams-Sonoma, Inc. family of brands.
ABOUT NO KID HUNGRY
No child should go hungry in America. But 1 in 6 kids will face hunger this year. No Kid Hungry is ending childhood hunger through effective programs that provide kids with the food they need. This is a problem we know how to solve. No Kid Hungry is a campaign of Share Our Strength, an organization working to end hunger and poverty.
