Chris Pratt, in collaboration with Greater Good Charities, spearheaded the successful Feed Thy Neighbor initiative, a response to the exacerbated food insecurity crisis in the United States due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative resulted in the awarding of nearly $650,000 to 21 nonprofit organizations nationwide, with the Edmonds Food Bank among the beneficiaries, receiving a $10,000 grant.
Liz Baker, CEO of Greater Good Charities, underscored the critical need addressed by Feed Thy Neighbor, noting the simultaneous meal shortage faced by food banks serving vulnerable communities and the decline in donations amidst the pandemic. The initiative was conceived by Pratt and brought to fruition through partnerships with The Hunger Site by GreaterGood, 12 Tomatoes, and Greater Good Charities. Pratt kickstarted the campaign with a $100,000 donation in matching funds and engaged supporters by offering the opportunity to meet him via Zoom. Additionally, Pratt hosted a star-studded New Year’s Eve Instagram Live event, featuring appearances by renowned personalities like Robert Downey Jr., Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jamie Foxx, and Bryce Dallas Howard.
The selection of the Edmonds Food Bank as a recipient of the grant stemmed from an earlier interaction between Greater Good Charities and the organization regarding potential involvement in its annual Empty Bowl event. Although this particular collaboration did not materialize, Greater Good Charities later approached the food bank to participate in the Feed Thy Neighbor initiative.
Pratt’s connection to the region, being from Lake Stevens and formerly married to Edmond-Woodway High School alumna Anna Faris, adds a personal dimension to his philanthropic efforts. In emphasizing the urgency of addressing food insecurity, Pratt highlighted the sobering statistic that one in four children in America faces uncertainty about their next meal. With Feed Thy Neighbor, Pratt and Greater Good Charities aim to alleviate this distressing reality and provide tangible support to communities in need.
source: myedmondsnews.com