Most of us have never experienced what real hunger feels like. We may not always have what we want to eat or be able to eat exactly when we want to, but most Americans do not know what it is to be starving. But for 795 million people in the world, it’s a grim reality of everyday life.
Little Richard’s BBQ’s co-owner, Stephen Karagiorgis, is deeply disturbed by the idea of someone going to bed hungry at night. “For 26 years, my family’s business has been a source of great quality food for the Triad. We’ve taken a lot of pride in what we do, but when I learned of the organization ‘Feed My Starving Children,’ I knew there was something else we could be doing.”
That “something else” began on June 4th. “Mondays at Little Richard’s BBQ are now ‘Meal For Meal Mondays,’” explained Stephen. “Every meal that is sold in our restaurants on Mondays is matched with a meal for a starving child in the world. To put it simply, with the help of the community, we’re doing good through food.”
Initially, the campaign began as an every-other-Monday event, but has grown so much in popularity, Little Richard’s now offers it on a weekly basis. “In our first two months of Meal for Meal Mondays, we were able to donate 10,525 meals. Our customers have really embraced the concept, and we are excited about the impact we can make together…because this is definitely a bigger campaign than what Little Richard’s can do by itself. This is a community effort,” said Stephen.
Little Richard’s BBQ is no stranger to giving in the community. They have a long-standing history of service to the Triad, and for 19 years they have sponsored the Thanksgiving dinner at Samaritan Ministries. But Meal For Meal Mondays allows for a bigger, more global way of giving. In fact, after more than two decades of local giving, this is the first international giving campaign that Little Richard’s has participated in.
“Children don’t get to choose the environment they are born in,” Stephen elaborated. “I heard of this amazing organization that is working to feed children, and I loved their mission. My heart hurts over the images of children born in impoverished, war-torn countries, who have so little. Despite our country’s issues, we are still a society with much to be thankful for. I am humbled that we can serve in this way. Our initial goal is for us to provide 100,000 meals through Feed My Starving Children, and we only hope to grow from there.”
The goal is certainly achievable, especially now that Meal for Meal Mondays is a weekly event! “Once we get to our goal, Little Richard’s BBQ will host a food packing event,” announced Stephen. “I’m projecting that we’ll be able to coordinate that by late spring or early summer 2019. We will need everyone’s help to make it happen.”
“Feed My Starving Children is based on Psalm 146:7,” explained Stephen. “It says, ‘He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free….’” Little Richard’s BBQ embraces that mission. We’ve embraced it year after year with Samaritan Ministries, and we’re proud to embrace it through this new campaign as well.”
Little Richard’s BBQ restaurants are located in Clemmons, Yadkinville, Mt. Airy, and Walkertown. Visit them online at LittleRichardsBarbecue.com to see menus for each location, or order online. Be sure to like them on Facebook and follow them on Instagram. Visit on Mondays and feel good about taking part in feeding a starving child in the world.
Learn more about Feed My Starving Children online at FMSC.org. This international ministry is based in Coon Rapids, MN, and to date, they have packed and shipped well over two million meals.
