MC Matches Donations Up to $10,000 for COVID-Related Hunger Relief

June 7, 2021 — International Market Centers (IMC) announced its sponsorship of Gift for Life’s “Feed the Hungry – Feel the Good” fundraiser for World Central Kitchen’s COVID-related hunger relief efforts with a commitment to match donations up to $10,000 from participants in its Atlanta Market (July 13-19) and Las Vegas Market (August 22-26).

While in-person social events are still paused, IMC will shift its support from at-market fundraising events – such as Gift for Life’s Party for Life held at Atlanta Market in winter 2020 and the summer Las Vegas Market’s long-standing “Up on the Roof” fundraiser – and instead mark its 10th anniversary by sponsoring a Gift for Life raffle benefiting World Central Kitchen’s Restaurants for the People program.

“IMC has long been a supporter of Gift for Life and its humanitarian efforts,” said Bob Maricich, IMC CEO. “Although our typical fundraising events are paused this year, we still are committed to supporting the gift and home industry’s primary charity. We are proud to support Gift for Life’s work with World Central Kitchen, which has directly benefited many individuals and businesses in Atlanta and Las Vegas as well as the surrounding areas.”

Through Gift for Life’s “Feed the Hungry – Feel the Good” campaign, participants can qualify to win raffle prizes including Atlanta Market and Las Vegas Market hotel stays and dining certificates. Donors of at least $50 are eligible for the raffle drawings and IMC has pledged to match donations up to $10,000 for each summer 2021 market.

The Atlanta Market raffle features nine unique prizes secured by IMC: five two-night hotel stays redeemable during the January 2022 Atlanta Market and another four hotel packages redeemable at any time, based on hotel availability. Purchase Atlanta Market raffle entries online at: https://donate.wck.org/AtlantaMkt.

Market-time prizes are:

  • Four Seasons Midtown (value $600)
  • Loews Midtown (value $450)
  • Renaissance Midtown (value $450)
  • Twelve Downtown, Autograph Collection (value $620)
  • Westin Peachtree Plaza (value $500)

Another four Atlanta hotels are donating package prizes redeemable at any time, based on hotel availability:

  • Atlanta Marriott Marquis: 2-night stay with complimentary valet parking
  • Hilton Atlanta: 2-night stay with dinner for 2 in Trader Vic’s
  • The Ritz Carlton: 2-night weekend stay
  • Westin Peachtree Plaza: 2-night stay to include valet parking, internet, and breakfast for 2 in The Café

Las Vegas Market raffle prize packages include two-night stays in four hotels, with dining credits and tickets to local attractions.  Connections Housing, Las Vegas Market’s official travel partner, also has donated round-trip airfare for Las Vegas Market.  Purchase Las Vegas Market raffle entries online at: https://donate.wck.org/LasVegasMkt.

Prize packages, which are redeemable during either the winter or summer 2022 Las Vegas Market are:

  • Cosmopolitan: 2-Nights stay in a Premium Terrace One Bedroom Suite; $300 dining credit for dinner at Scarpetta; Round trip airport transfer; and round-trip airfare for two, compliments of Connections Housing
  • The Golden Nugget: Complimentary 3 day/2-night stay in a Gold Tower King Room; Two tickets to Gordie Brown or 52 Fridays; and $100 Dining credit for Salt Grass Steakhouse
  • Hilton Grand Vacations: Complimentary 2 Night Stay in a One Bedroom Suite
  • Plaza Hotel: Complimentary 2-Nights Stay in a Deluxe Room; $100 Dining credit for Oscar’s Steakhouse

“The summer market experience is about discovery and connection, but it can also support those in need,” said Cole Daugherty, chair of the Gift for Life board. “Please give generously during these shows so that we may help to feed hungry families who need our care during a time in which many Americans are food insecure.”

Founded in 2010 by Chef José Andrés, World Central Kitchen (WCK) uses the power of food to nourish communities and strengthen economies in times of crisis and beyond.      In 2020, with COVID-19 straining traditional food security safety nets like school feeding programs, city services and food banks, WCK pivoted to safely distribute individually packaged, fresh meals in communities that need support and launched the Restaurants for the People program to scale nationwide. This program meets critical needs on two fronts: buying meals directly from restaurants and delivering them to Americans who need help. To date, the program has worked with 2,500 restaurants to serve over 12 million restaurant meals and have disbursed more than $135 million dollars directly to restaurants owners in 400 cities across 35 states. For information, visit www.wck.org.

Atlanta Market is the industry’s premier gift, décor and lifestyle market. Housing the nation’s largest gift product mix complemented by a broad selection of home décor, it features more than 8,000 brands across all categories. Held semi-annually at AmericasMart Atlanta, Atlanta Market attracts retailers and designers from every U.S. state and more than 60 countries. For more information, visit www.AtlantaMarket.com.

Las Vegas Market is the leading home furnishings and gift market in the western U.S., presenting 4,300+ furniture, home décor and gift resources in an unrivaled market destination. Las Vegas Market features thousands of product lines, allowing for cross-category commerce among these industries. The next Las Vegas Market runs Aug. 22 – Aug. 26, 2021, at World Market Center Las Vegas. For more information, visit www.lasvegasmarket.com.

Gift for Life was founded by Peter Schauben of Appleman Schauben in 1992 in response to the tragic loss of industry lives to AIDS. The organization’s first meeting at the National Stationery Show brought together a cross-section of the industry’s leading publishers, market centers, sales reps, manufacturers and retailers – all willing to convene and work together towards a common goal. Since that time, Gift for Life has raised nearly $6 million for AIDS research, education, treatment and care through nationwide at-market events, cause marketing programs and direct donations. With COVID-19 temporarily causing cancelation of in-person events at industry markets, Gift for Life has pivoted towards online digital events for the balance of 2021, with a specific emphasis on COVID-related hunger relief. Adam Glassman, creative director of Oprah Daily, serves as Gift for Life’s 2021 honorary chair and spokesperson. More information is available at www.giftforlife.org.