Feeding America's Team Feed program empowers content creators to come together and help end hunger in America.
- Tell us about Feeding America's mission and the Team Feed initiative.
Feeding America’s mission is to feed America’s hungry through a nationwide network of member food banks and engage our country in the fight to end hunger. One way we engage the country is through Team Feed. Team Feed is our peer-to-peer fundraising program. Whether it’s a birthday, fun run, gaming marathon, or any other event, Team Feed is where you can start fundraising and help end hunger in America.
- How was charity streaming introduced to you and did you have to influence the culture at Feeding America to embrace it?
We were introduced to charity streaming about 3 years ago through community members reaching out and asking to host their own charity streams on behalf of Feeding America. We were able to quickly say yes and start building our charity streaming program because our Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Cathy Davis, has always had an eye towards innovation and ensuring we are meeting supporters where they are.
- What are some of your favorite charity stream moments from events Feeding America ran in the past?
One of my favorite moments was at TwitchCon 2019. We had just finished The UnBEETable Challenge to see who could raise the most and become the UnBEETable Champion. We awarded the Golden Beet Trophy to the top fundraiser and two other streamers who participated committed to drinking a full glass of beet juice for their communities which was fun to be a part of.
- Do you have any advice for a nonprofit just starting out with charity streaming?
My advice is to find something that makes your program special. As a food-related charity, we have leaned into the food puns. That authentic engagement with the community has been well received and streamers are already adding their own flavor to the puns.
- How has DonorDrive empowered the Team Feed program?
The Team Feed program was launched at a critical time for Feeding America as food banks were responding to the initial impacts of Covid-19 on their communities and more than 50% of people accessing their services for the first time. By launching Team Feed on DonorDrive, we were able to scale the program quickly and make real-time decisions and changes to better support our fundraising communities as the outpouring of support for our neighbors facing hunger continues into 2021 and beyond.