This fall, Cotton Patch Cafe joined Giving Kitchen’s nationwide Dining With Gratitude 2025 campaign to spread hope and support to food service workers facing unanticipated crises. Giving Kitchen, the James Beard Award-winning nonprofit providing financial assistance and Stability Network resources to food service workers during times of crisis. For 30 days, our team came together with our community in a shared mission: to give back to the individuals who make the food and beverage industry thrive.
From Oct. 10 to Nov. 11, Cotton Patch Cafe gave $1 from every dessert sold directly to Giving Kitchen. We are proud to share that our efforts raised $51,407 in support of the organization’s mission to provide emergency assistance to food service workers.This support translates into real, tangible stability for those who need it most. Thanks to you, food service workers facing unexpected emergencies can keep a roof over their heads, their lights on, and essential utilities running. Your impact is the equivalent of providing: 43 months of housing, 343 power bills, 171 water bills or 1,028 gas bills.
“At every table, behind every counter, and in every kitchen, food service workers pour their hearts into creating experiences that bring us together,” said Brandon Coleman III, CEO of Cotton Patch Cafe. “Dining With Gratitude gave our team a meaningful way to honor their resilience and show up for industry members facing tough times. We are truly inspired by the generosity our guests and community showed throughout the Dining With Gratitude campaign.”
Amplifying Impact: What This Means for Food Service Workers
Giving Kitchen’s mission is simple but powerful: help food service workers during their most difficult moments, whether by offering financial assistance for unexpected crises or by connecting them to a Stability Network of essential community resources.
“Our participation in Dining With Gratitude wasn’t just about raising funds—it was about standing in solidarity with the hardworking individuals who are the heart of our industry,” continued Coleman III. “Knowing that our contributions will help provide a safety net for food service workers fills us with a deep sense of purpose and pride.”
Giving Thanks and Looking Forward
We couldn’t have done it alone. Our heartfelt gratitude goes to every guest, team member, and community partner who helped us in this effort. Your compassion has made a real and lasting impact.
“We’re deeply moved by the outpouring of support from caring partners like Cotton Patch Cafe, who make Dining With Gratitude an enduring reminder of what’s possible when our industry comes together,” said Jen Hidinger-Kendrick, a founder of Giving Kitchen. “Each contribution, no matter the size, strengthens the spirit of generosity that defines the food service community.”
Cotton Patch Cafe is honored to have shared in this journey of resilience, celebration, and hope. To those who supported this campaign, thank you for choosing to Dine With Gratitude—and for uplifting the people behind every plate and every cup.
Get Involved
Although the Dining With Gratitude campaign has officially ended, the impact of your support won’t fade. Together, we’ve ensured that food service workers have access to the help they need when it matters most. As Giving Kitchen’s critical work continues, stay connected with our mission by joining the conversation on social media by following @givingkitchen. Together, we are building a food service community that meets each crisis with compassion and care.
For more information on Giving Kitchen or how you can continue to support food service workers in crisis, please visit GivingKichen.org.
