In 2020, over 38 million people in the United States—including over 11 million children—experienced food insecurity, according to Feeding America. At the coronavirus pandemic’s peak, the need for food assistance surged to levels not seen since the Great Depression. Food banks reported an average increase of 55% in demand, many people turning to them for help for the first time.
In response, Greater Good Charities teamed up with Chris Pratt, 12 Tomatoes, and The Hunger Site by GreaterGood.com to launch Feed Thy Neighbor (FTN). This nationwide community-driven initiative raised $625,000 in donations, funding over 3 million meals at Feeding America and providing critical funding to hundreds of local food banks and pantries serving those in areas impacted most by pandemic-fueled food insecurity. You can see the full impact here.
To encourage support, Chris Pratt hosted a first-of-its-kind Instagram live telethon on New Year’s Eve, bringing in celebrity guests to help spread awareness and boost donations. Said Pratt: “One in four American children may not know where their next meal is coming from. That’s “25% of our kids! Let that sink in. The need is real.” Pratt also contributed a $100,00 matching gift to the campaign, emphasizing the need to give back and fight food insecurity head on.
How Organizations Used Feed Thy Neighbor Donations
Dozens of organizations across the country used the support they received from the Feed Thy Neighbor campaign to keep their operations running and communities afloat. They provided meals to anyone and everyone in need—families, the elderly, frontline medical workers, people experiencing homelessness, the unemployed, and more. Clients received bags of groceries with healthy food, boxes of shelf-stable food, or selected food from an array of donated items.
Many of these organizations found that mobile distribution sites and drive-thru food pick up events were safe and effective to feed hundreds daily. They also put FTN support to use towards their general operating costs and maintenance expenses like staffing, truck and equipment leasing, fuel, and supplies. For example, the Tri-City Free Breakfast Program purchased and installed new refrigeration units.
Marilynn’s Story
Registered nurse Marilynn didn’t hesitate to work during the pandemic, imperiling her health and safety to provide critical medical care.
During a New Year’s Eve shift, she contracted the virus and unknowingly brought it home to her husband of 41 years. While Marilynn recovered, her husband tragically passed away after a long battle.
This devastating loss and the financial toll from medical bills left Marilynn little time to grieve before her situation became desperate.
“This is not where I thought I would see myself,” she told staff at FTN recipient Second Harvest Food Bank of New Orleans and Greater Acadian. “I was leery at first to get help and waited a little while before seeking it.” But when she did, Marilyn was grateful for the food support, which gave her the helping hand she needed to keep her head above water and move forward during such a difficult time.
Our Continued Commitment
The hunger crisis remains a challenge we face today. Cost of living and food prices are on the rise, stagnant wages and unemployment impact households, and policy changes threaten reductions to federal assistance programs.
Feed Thy Neighbor exemplified Greater Good Charities’ commitment to working alongside communities to fill gaps and strategically address need. That commitment didn’t stagnate after FTN support was distributed. In the intervening years, we’ve expanded our national and international food distribution footprint and enhanced partnerships with shelters, food banks, and humanitarian organizations, especially in underserved and high-need communities.
For example, in the autumn of 2025, as millions of families across the country faced uncertainty due to delayed or disrupted SNAP benefits, we stepped in to provide support, especially for families with pets. We delivered food, pet food, and essential supplies to those struggling due to the disruptions through our nationwide network of partners and ambassadors.
Greater Good Charities is proud to provide consistent, on-the-ground impact delivered through trusted partnerships, operational rigor, and a system built to turn generosity into measurable, lasting good. No one should go hungry. We’ve provided over 22 million meals to people in need around the world and with your support, we continue to prove one thing: Good still works.