We’ve all snapped a pic or two of a meal to share on social media. Now, that urge to post can help you give back to those in need. West County Center in Des Peres is partnering with GiftAMeal to help fight food insecurity in the St. Louis community. Take and share a photo of your meal at any of the shopping center’s restaurants, and you’ll help Operation Food Search (OFS) feed those in need.
GiftAMeal was created by Andrew Glantz while he was a student at Washington University. “I had done a lot of volunteering with nonprofits, and during an internship, I learned about the ‘profits with purpose’ business model,” he explains. “I was inspired to find a way to help local restaurants build emotionally conscious connections in the community.” His solution was a free app and a twist on the buy-one-get-one model. People could take pictures of their meals at partner restaurants, upload them to GiftAMeal and then a contribution would be made to OFS. The restaurants could reap the benefit of online promotion while supporting a worthy cause along with their customers.
The partnership between West County Center and GiftAMeal is a big step for the organization. “This is huge for us,” Glantz says. “It’s our first time partnering with an entire shopping center. It really is a perfect fit. When people think of going to the mall, they are looking to have a fun experience. With GiftAMeal, they also can feel socially responsible about the businesses they support, which is a growing concern for many consumers, especially younger ones.” West County Center shoppers who dine at any of its 11 fast-casual and full-service restaurants can be a part of the initiative to fight local hunger.
Food insecurity is an important issue in the St. Louis community. Operation Food Search president and CEO Kristen Wild notes that it increased by 23% in Missouri during the pandemic and remains an urgent concern, especially as inflation continues to rise. The nonprofit has been serving the community for more than 40 years, feeding more than 200,000 people every month. It’s thanks to community partners like West County Center and GiftAMeal that it’s able to reach so many. “Not only do they help provide additional funding so we can offer more food and resources, they help increase awareness about food insecurity,” Wild says. “Our mission is on St. Louisans’ radars thanks to the contributions of community partners, especially restaurants like those at West County Center.”
For the shopping center, this is the perfect way to give back to the community. Senior marketing director Sean Phillips notes that working with GiftAMeal is a big win, since it allows West County Center to support both the work of a St. Louis entrepreneur and ensure local people in need receive assistance through OFS. “West County Center places great importance on being a good corporate partner and supporting organizations that do so much good in the community,” he notes. “GiftAMeal makes it simple for both us and shoppers to participate. We are excited to watch the impact grow each month.”
West County Center is partnering with GiftAMeal to give shoppers the chance to help fight insecurity and support Operation Food Search. Pictured on the cover: Tyler Green of Chick-fil-A, Kristen Wild of Operation Food Search, Brian Strobach of GiftAMeal, Derek Holthaus of Nordstrom Bistro, Carlton Adams of Operation Food Search. For more information, visit shopwestcountycenter.com.
Cover design by Julie Streiler
Cover photo by Colin Miller of Strauss Peyton Photography
Pictured at top: GiftAMeal founder Andrew Glantz
Photo courtesy of West County Center
