Bottoms' Mac And Cheese Recipe Fundraiser Raises More Than 37K

ATLANTA – Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms’ More than Mac campaign, in partnership with Kroger, has raised more than $37,000 to benefit the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Created to support the fight against food insecurity and hunger, the campaign was developed to shed light on an issue many Atlantans face every day.

"We are grateful for the compassion shown during this campaign – from both our corporate and nonprofit partners and the shoppers who stepped up to this challenge and raised awareness and funds to combat hunger in our city," said Bottoms. “Issues of inequity, such as food insecurity in our communities, must be met with thoughtful action, and we remain committed to finding innovative ways to assist our most vulnerable residents.”

Dollars donated between January 31 and February 16 were collected through Kroger’s Round Up at the Register initiative, where customers had the opportunity to round up their purchase to nearest dollar or donate an amount of their choosing. Donations raised benefit the Atlanta Community Food Bank which provides nearly 58 million meals for more than 755,000 people each year.

Read more: Mayor's Mac And Cheese Recipe Morphs Into Anti-Hunger

And: Atlanta Mayor's Mac And Cheese Recipe Goes Viral On Twitter

The campaign got underway after Bottoms posted her Christmas dinner adventures on social media, which quickly went viral as followers critiqued the mayor's presentation of the classic dish – macaroni and cheese. While users near and far joined in the laughter, the photo sparked debates across disciplines about a very real problem many communities face daily.

The Atlanta Community Food Bank works with more than 600 partner nonprofit agencies in 29 counties including food pantries, shelters, community kitchens and other programs that provide resources for food insecure residents. For every $1 donated, the Food Bank can provide up to 4 meals. Through the More Than Mac campaign, more than 148,000 meals will be served.

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