In the heart of the Consumer Electronics and Appliance industries, where innovation and technology drive the future, there’s an opportunity to make a profound impact beyond the products we create and the services we provide. Today, we introduce a story of inspiration and transformation that began in the mountains of Haiti and has since blossomed into a movement that feeds millions of hungry children worldwide.
“No Child Hungry,” founded by William Lowry after witnessing the tragic loss of three young lives to starvation during a medical mission trip, is an organization built on the simple yet powerful vision that no child should ever go hungry. From this devastating experience, William was moved to action, sparking a journey of hope and change that has delivered over 50 million meals to children in need.
Our conversation with Michael Whitaker, Senior Vice President of No Child Hungry, illuminates the organization’s mission and its distinctive approach to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). No Child Hungry is not just about providing meals; it’s about orchestrating high-impact events and unforgettable experiences that unite groups with a shared purpose. Their meal-packing events, which can accommodate groups of various sizes and durations, offer a unique way for teams to make a tangible difference while having fun.
Beyond meal packing, No Child Hungry offers diverse CSR activities tailored to fit the needs and interests of any group. Whether it’s constructing elaborate structures out of canned goods, building bicycles for local children, or bringing to life any imaginative idea your team may have, No Child Hungry ensures every event is engaging, impactful, and memorable. These activities are not just about making a difference but also about creating lasting memories and fostering a sense of community.
By partnering with No Child Hungry, the Consumer Electronics and Appliance industry can host fundraising events that align with their CSR goals and leave a lasting, positive impact on the world. Join us on this incredible journey, and let’s work together to ensure that No Child Hungry becomes more than just a vision—it becomes a reality.
TWICE: Can you tell us more about the mission of “No Child Hungry” and the key initiatives you have in place to combat childhood hunger in America?
Michael Whitaker (MW): No Child Hungry has been deeply entrenched in the fight against childhood hunger for over a decade. Nearly twelve years and sixty million meals later, we still face a daunting task, with more than 1 in 5 children in the U.S. facing food insecurity. Since the beginning, we’ve partnered with corporate and community groups to pack healthy, nutritious meals for kids in need.
These meals, created by food scientists at the University of Iowa and Cargill Industries, contain all the vitamins and nutrients a person needs for a day, meaning that we’re not just providing food but providing the right food for kids. More than half of the meals packed are distributed in the U.S. through our vast network of partnered food banks, pantries, and distribution organizations focusing on children and families. The rest go to critical areas of need in countries like Haiti, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, and more.
No Child Hungry also mobilizes in the wake of natural disasters and human conflicts, where first-hand experience has shown time and again that children are disproportionally impacted by these events. Those already living in food insecurity often see their access to food compromised, so we’re there. We exist at the intersection of hungry kids and healthy meals and make that connection daily.
TWICE: What significant progress has “No Child Hungry” made in recent years, and what key milestones have you achieved?
MW: To date, No Child Hungry has packed and distributed more than 60 million meals to kids in need. However, it’s simply not enough. So, in 2024, we launched our 1BN10 initiative. We’re committed to distributing a billion meals in the coming decade. It’s the most ambitious undertaking ever launched to combat childhood hunger. To accomplish this goal, we’ll continue expanding our business community partnerships and will count on the growing army of volunteers who make this possible.
Learn more about No Child Hungry and how you can help today on their official website here
TWICE: What are the biggest challenges you face in your mission to end childhood hunger, and how are you addressing them?
MW: Awareness is still a challenge. Childhood hunger has been called “the silent epidemic” with good cause. Most people are unaware of the magnitude of the problem domestically. When childhood hunger is mentioned, many Americans think of kids in a third-world country. Now, while the problem is more dire in those countries, it’s a stark reality that here in the U.S., one out of every five children is unsure when or from where their next meal will come.
As we build awareness of the issue, people immediately connect. So, for us, we’ve made awareness a priority. It still comes second to providing meals, but we know it’s a key challenge to overcome as we look to make a dramatic impact on childhood hunger in the coming years.
TWICE: How does “No Child Hungry” collaborate with companies in the Consumer Electronics and Appliance industry to support your mission?
MW: Since our inception, we’ve been partnering with businesses and community groups to host meal-packing events, and few industries have been more welcoming than the independent retail channel in the durable goods space. It’s proven to be a great community connection for these retailers, and they’ve really made a difference as they’ve sponsored and hosted these events. Additionally, some great organizations in the CE and Appliance space have come on board as partners, and we’ll look to maintain those partnerships for years to come.
TWICE: Can you provide examples of successful partnerships or initiatives you’ve had with companies in this industry?
MW: We’ve had some amazing collaborations with appliance and consumer electronics retailers. There are many great examples, but perhaps none in the past year had more impact than Hamai Appliance in Maui, Hawaii. The devastating wildfires that struck Maui last August were the deadliest in over a century. And, due to Hawaii’s isolated location, relief efforts were unusually complex. However, the Hamai family stepped up, playing a major role.
In the days and weeks after the fire, we distributed more than 300,000 meals to impacted community members. Hamai Appliance hosted a massive packing day in their store less than a month after the fire. They closed the store for daily retail operations and invited the community to help pack meals, stop hunger bags, and customized disaster relief kits, dubbed Maui Care Kits.
Learn more about No Child Hungry and how you can help today on their official website here
The community responded in force. Hundreds of volunteers, along with the Hamai team, worked tirelessly. And, when the dust settled, tens of thousands of additional meals, over 1,000 stop hunger bags, and more than 300 Maui Care Kits were distributed to displaced families that very weekend.
These types of partnerships are so critical in the community. And it’s not just during periods of crisis. We’ve hosted around one hundred events with appliance and consumer electronics dealers from coast to coast. Each time, they prove again and again why independent, local businesses are both the backbone of the American economy and the backbone of the American community.
TWICE: How do you ensure these collaborations mutually benefit both “No Child Hungry” and the companies involved?
MW: We’re fortunate to have some experience in the appliance and CE industries on our team. I spent nearly two decades as an independent retail executive and as a leader in the buying group space. The lessons learned in those roles certainly helped shape our partnership programs.
Add in the generous partnership we have with Steve Bryant and his team at the Bryant Group, and we’re able to supply our partners with the assets they need to easily integrate the partnership into their marketing and messaging. We currently have three partnership programs, each designed on our experiences working with independent retailers.
First, we have our Small Business Partnerships. That tier is made up of some amazing independent dealers. Then, we have our Brand Partners. Those are typically smaller manufacturers and service providers. Then, we have our Corporate Partners, which includes the major vendors. Obviously, these programs extend beyond the industry, but they’re a great fit across the appliance and electronics space. Perhaps that’s because our team has such deep roots in this community, and I think that’s a positive.
Learn more about No Child Hungry on their official website here
We’re very intentional about our partnerships. We believe that partnerships are a two-way street, so we make it a priority to provide exceptional value to the organizations that support us. We’re all about customization, so we start by exploring their goals. Those may be to engage more current and potential shoppers, to motivate their team, or to drive foot traffic to big, special events. Usually, it’s a combination of these and more. Once we understand their goals, we craft a package of supporting assets to make the goal achievable. Independents have been doing good in their communities for decades, but they often keep their good works to themselves.
Research shows that to be a bad idea, as today’s shopper is looking to patronize businesses that share their values and are making a positive impact in the community. So, we make that part easy. From in-store signage highlighting the partnership to video and graphic elements to use on their websites and social media, we provide what they need in the format they want and help them connect with their communities around a meaningful partnership that benefits countless children.
TWICE: What role do buying groups in the Consumer Electronics and Appliance industry play in supporting “No Child Hungry”?
MW: Buying groups were created on the principle of scale, and it’s just as relevant in giving back as it is in merchandising. We began a partnership with Nationwide Marketing Group more than six years ago, leading to more than 2.6 million meals packed for hungry kids. Many of those have been done at the group’s bi-annual trade show, PrimeTime. They’ve proven that when independents come together, they can make a big difference. And quickly!
I remember at PrimeTime just a few years ago, attendees packed more than 87,000 meals in under an hour! We’re grateful for the support and partnership of Nationwide, which has led to scores of their member companies hosting events of their own. Buying groups bring together the entire industry: retailers, manufacturers, business and financial service providers, and so many more. And when these organizations come together to give back, it’s a sight to see.
However, our partnership with Nationwide goes beyond simply meal packing at PrimeTime. Led by Tom Hickman, their team has been active in domestic and international distribution efforts. In fact, Tom has given so many hours of his time volunteering, joining efforts as far away as Haiti and Maui, that he was awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award, presented by the White House and President Biden, earlier this year. He’s been leading by example, and the results speak for themselves.
TWICE: Can you share specific examples of how buying groups have contributed to your initiatives or events?
MW: Beyond the 2.6 million meals packed so far in the partnership with NMG, one of the coolest initiatives we’ve done in the industry was the Nationwide Week of Giving. Group members across the country chose a week in November, and each hosted a meal-packing event at their location. Hundreds of thousands of meals were packed across North America in just one week. It was a powerful movement, with so many local communities impacted as part of the national effort.
TWICE: How do events organized by companies help further the “No Child Hungry” mission?
MW: We believe that every single meal provided to children in need matters. When a company partners with us for an event, we identify their goals and ideal outcomes and then build the event just for them. We understand that operating a business is a massive undertaking each day, so our meal-packing events are turnkey.
In hosting an event, the company sponsors the meals that will be packed, and despite inflation, we’ve kept our meal costs very, very low. The host company determines how many people will participate and how long they’d like the event to last. Then, we recommend the number of meals to pack and reach a spot that fits their budget and their goals. A collaborative effort occurs around marketing, and we provide any needed support.
Learn more about No Child Hungry and how you can help today on their official website here
On the day of the event, we bring everything (except tables) needed for a great event, and we even handle setup, breakdown, and facilitation for the event. It’s high-energy, tons of fun, and a great way to reach new shoppers. Best of all, the meals packed are distributed locally, impacting kids in need right there in the community. We believe all these factors together are why so many companies host events year after year, continuing to provide a lifeline to children in need.
TWICE: Can you describe a memorable event or campaign that significantly impacted your organization’s efforts?
MW: As appliance and CE retailers, differentiation in the market is critical. That’s likely why independents are among the most creative marketers found anywhere. Several have found unique ways to partner with us on an event, and Silica For Your Home stands out. As the Fond du Lac retailer celebrated their 100th anniversary, they decided to celebrate with a big sale and pack 100,000 meals for kids in their local markets.
The event was supposed to take two days, but the community really responded. Volunteers, the Silica team, and shoppers came together, and the 100,000th meal was packed just a couple of hours into the second day. Josh and Tom Schneider, along with their great team, showed just how powerful their connection to the community really is, and the event is one we’ll never forget.
Another that comes to mind happened at Queen City Audio, Video, and Appliance in Charlotte. Roddey Player and his organization held a massive meal packing event in their flagship store, and during that event, Roddey sealed the bag on the millionth meal packed in our partnership with NMG. It was a special moment and inspired many other dealers to join the effort.
The feeling that comes over an organization when they give back together is powerful and can’t be duplicated. And, because of their generosity, hundreds of thousands of children were spared, at least for one night, from the prospect of going to bed hungry.
TWICE: How can companies and organizations in the Consumer Electronics and Appliance industry get involved in organizing events to support “No Child Hungry”?
MW: It’s easy for an appliance or CE dealer or manufacturer to get involved with No Child Hungry. There are so many ways to team up. Joining our partnership program starts with a conversation. It can quickly take shape into a great investment in the community, a fantastic marketing ROI, and a meaningful way to stand out as an employer to both current and potential team members.
And we’re all about creativity.
Two great authors graciously donated proceeds from their books to fund meals for hungry kids. Steve Bryant donated proceeds from “Lessons My Customers Have Taught Me,” and Peter Weedfald did the same with his latest innovative tome for leaders, “Green Reign Leadership.”
Then, there are always events. Any organization, retailer, or manufacturer can easily host a meal-packing event. We’ve done events coast-to-coast, so we can work with any location. We’ve even done these internationally. We can do events as small as 10,000 meals – which takes about 25 people and an hour or so, to events as large as 1,000,000 meals in a single day. And yes, we’ve done a million in a day three times now. It’s an adventure!
What’s important to know is that we’ll work with anyone who wants to help kids in need. Just contact us, and we’ll find a path to work together.
TWICE: What are the future plans and goals for “No Child Hungry” regarding Consumer Electronics and Appliance industry partnerships?
MW: This is an industry we love, and our relationships are deep. So, we’re counting on our friends in the appliance and consumer electronics space as we move forward with the 1BN10 initiative. We’ll need everyone to play a role – as an event host, a small business, brand, or corporate partner, and a voice for hungry kids nationwide.
TWICE: How do you envision these partnerships evolving over the next few years?
MW: The independent retail channel is always evolving; our partnerships inside the space will do the same. We’re always looking for creative new ways to help these retailers and manufacturers succeed and feed as many kids as possible. From trade shows to local events, we’re ready. This channel is so important in every community, and with the virtually universal connection by consumers to support this fight against hunger, it’s a great road ahead for everyone.
TWICE: What advice would you give to companies and buying groups looking to make a meaningful impact in the fight against childhood hunger?
MW: My advice is don’t wait. Make the call. Send the email. And make a difference. We’re flexible, and we’re a wildly efficient nonprofit. Our overhead remains under 15%, meaning that more of every dollar that comes into No Child Hungry feeds kids. There’s no opportunity too small and none too big. Our family of partners keeps growing, and we’re ready to welcome everyone. Talk to us about your goals. Get to know our network of great distribution partners. There’s at least one in your area, likely more. And discover why so many businesses have carved a path to doing well by doing good.
TWICE: Should a company or upcoming event like to work with” No Child Hungry,” who should they contact?
MW: Our team is easy to reach, and we stand ready for your call or your email. My cell phone number hasn’t changed since my days in the industry. And both William, our founder, and I would love to spend some time with you.
Reach out to No Child Left Hungry by contacting Mike Whitaker at 770.695.6625 or mike@nochildhungry.net, or William Lowry at 321.436.7767 or william@nochildhungry.net.
See also:
