It's Chefs Cycle for No Kid Hungry 2015! Join the ride to end Childhood Hunger! #ChefsCycle

This post is a special shout out to all my chef friends, restaurateurs and hospitality people out there. As a proud member of the food community, one of the things I'm most proud of is that the hospitality industry is the number one industry when it comes to philanthropic outreach. It has something to do with the fact that the definition of hospitality is; the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers. In other words, service. To that end, I'd like to talk to you all about a great initiative that I am involved in with No Kid Hungry/Share Our Strength, my good friend Chef Jason Roberts, along with a number of chefs and hospitality professionals that have stepped up with us. It's called Chefs Cycle for No Kid Hungry. 

The first pilot ride was held in May of 2014 with between 11-20 riders who rode their bicycles 300 miles from NYC to Washington, D.C. over a three day period. It was a huge success, raising a little under 25k. This year I'm counting on you all to help No Kid Hungry get the word out about this great cause, or, step up to ride, help recruit or become a sponsor.

For 2015, NKH has expanded your opportunity to join us as a rider, sponsor or donor. There will be two rides on each coast. The West Coast ride will begin in Santa Barbara ending up in San Diego. The East Coast ride will retrace it's 2014 miles, beginning in NYC through Philadelphia and Baltimore and ending in Washington, D.C.

 For many of you that have read my musings over the last 8 years, you all know of my efforts and support of food related charities and organizations. More than 16 million kids in America struggle with hunger. For those not aware, this year over 45 million people in America will be food deficient at some point and over 16 million of those who are going hungry are children. With their Cooking Matters, School Breakfast, Dine Out, Taste of the Nation, Bake Sale, No Kid Hungry This Summer programs and proper nutrition initiatives, No Kid Hungry is committed to making sure that our children get the food they need to grow, be healthy and lead productive lives.

NKH's goal is to have 50 chefs, 25 on each coast raise vital funds and awareness by committing to raise $10,000.00 each by riding all or a portion of either ride.  They are seeking chefs, servers, teams, sous chefs, bartenders, owners or office teams from food and culinary companies who would like to join the ride to make sure kids have access to food where they live, learn and play. For those who may not be able to ride but would like to sponsor a team, rider or, just donate as these riders put their pedals where their hearts are, we are asking you to pledge $1 for every mile they ride. Every $1 you donate can help connect a child with up to 10 meals! Help us make No Kid Hungry a reality. Donate here.

Most of you who read me and follow on twitter are foodies, chefs, hospitality professionals, pr firms and culinary media. This is OUR event! I am asking you to step up and help it be a success. I am not, as many of you know, one to ask for favors or financial help, but this cause is too important and the needs of these children who go hungry or are food deficient are too great to not speak up.

To my corporate friends, they need you to step up and commit needed dollars, supplies, expertise, to support the ride and show the way. They need help with food, lodging, media coverage, social media exposure, as well as gear, energy snacks, bike kits, medical and safety kits. I'm asking you to step up for the kids and get involved.

Every dollar counts! If you are who I call, one of my chefs, a restaurant or hospitality/culinary company that has been involved with me over the years, I'm specifically asking for your love and support. If you would like to find out more about riding, please contact Deb Shore at dshore@strength.org. All others can help by donating, re-tweeting, re-posting, sharing and any other way you can help us get the word out and get involved.

I am counting on all of you to step up with those chefs that have already committed and the rest of #TeamNKH and help us in the fight to eradicate childhood hunger in our lifetime. Together, we can make sure that we leave NO KID HUNGRY!

Visit the website to find out how you can help: www.chefscycle.org

Thanks for your support and please share this with as many as possible!

Lou