Lee's Famous Recipe® Chicken, a quick-service franchise with nearly six decades of history, has partnered with Hotshots Sports Bar & Grill to launch the "Countdown to Thanksgiving" food collection drive across the St. Louis area. The initiative, running through November 21, invites guests to donate non-perishable food items at any of the 15 Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken locations or 9 Hotshots Sports Bar & Grill outlets. Contributions will directly benefit Operation Food Search, a St. Louis-based nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting hunger and improving access to nutritious food.
Participants who make a donation will receive a complimentary Coca-Cola beverage and gain entry into a raffle for $100 gift cards from both restaurant chains, as well as four home game hockey tickets. This effort is supported by Coca-Cola and 101 ESPN Radio, aiming to uplift local families during the holiday season. "The need across our community is urgent, and the team at Operation Food Search is working tirelessly to continue their incredible efforts supporting families across our region," said Dan Sokolik, Vice President of Marketing at Lee's Famous Recipe® Chicken. "We're proud to stand with our friends at Hotshots and our partners at Coca-Cola to help St. Louis families feel supported this Thanksgiving."
This seasonal campaign builds on Lee's ongoing partnership with GiftAMeal, a program that turns guest dining experiences into meals for local families. Through GiftAMeal, guests can scan a QR code found inside Lee's restaurants or on select packaging, triggering a donation that provides groceries to a nearby food bank. Sharing the meal photo on social media further increases the donation, making every visit a chance to give back. "Efforts like this—and our year-round program with GiftAMeal—are part of our larger mission to bring comfort and care to the communities we call home," Sokolik added.
Operation Food Search, the beneficiary of the drive, works to address food insecurity across the St. Louis region, providing resources to families in need. The collaboration between Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken, Hotshots, Coca-Cola, and 101 ESPN Radio underscores a community-wide response to a pressing issue. St. Louis residents and Lee's guests nationwide can continue supporting local food banks throughout the year through GiftAMeal, ensuring that every meal enjoyed at Lee's contributes to feeding families in need. For more information about Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken, visit leesfamousrecipe.com.
