If you’re like me, each year when you see the billboards and advertisements for Crisis Control Ministry’s (CCM) signature event, Hope du Jour, you start making notes. In case you’re not familiar, Hope du Jour is a partnership between CCM and over 140 local food and beverage businesses throughout Forsyth County that for one day, always the first Tuesday of May, donate 10% of their sales that day back to CCM. So, when the list of participating restaurants was published, plans would be made to eat out that day for each meal!
Plans will be made differently this year as CCM, like so many nonprofits, has had to pivot and rethink their fundraising efforts and strategies. And I happen to think this is one of the best examples of making lemonade from lemons in a post-pandemic world!
This year, the Development Team at CCM understood that their Hope du Jour partners were still struggling financially because of the economic impact of the pandemic, and they wanted to do something to support them and drive business to their doors. Therefore, the decision was made not to host the 31st Annual Hope du Jour this year, and instead, Hungry for Hope was created.
For the entire month of June, CCM will be advertising local food and beverage businesses that have participated in Hope du Jour in the past with one goal: to get the community to support local food and beverage establishments. Many of the participating restaurants have supported neighbors in crisis for over 15 years! This year, CCM will not be asking for a donation from Hope du Jour partners. Hungry for Hope is a way for Crisis Control Ministry to say “thank you” to all the previous participants of Hope du Jour that are still in business and to encourage the community to patronize their establishments.
The campaign sponsors, along with CCM staff and volunteers, want to give local food and beverage businesses that have supported the Ministry and helped neighbors in crisis for years free advertising to help them survive the pandemic. In lieu of donations, Crisis Control Ministry will use the Hungry for Hope marketing campaign to spread awareness of CCM and the services they offer to those experiencing a time of financial crisis.
If that doesn’t epitomize the meaning of ‘community,’ I am not sure what does!
So, this month, I have bookmarked: hopedujour.org/find-a-restaurant/ and will look forward to doing my part to support the neighbors who have worked so hard to keep moving forward, serving and providing for you and me. Next year, I’ll enjoy a day of restaurant hopping on May 3, 2022!
For the complete list of dozens of restaurants and business in the area that would love to see you during Hungry for Hope, visit: hopedujour.org/find-a-restaurant/
