DALLAS, TX – June 2, 2024…. ANDMORE President Dorothy Belshaw was honored with Gift for Life’s 2024 Industry Achievement Award during the 73rd Annual Retailer Excellence Awards, June 19, 2024, in Dallas, TX. This coveted accolade recognized Dorothy’s exceptional contributions to the gift and home industry over her more than 30-year career. In connection with the award, more than $34,000 has been donated in Belshaw’s honor to World Central Kitchen’s global hunger relief efforts.
“What a wonderful night! We were delighted to recognize Dorothy’s achievement to the industry and appreciate her efforts to raise funds for World Central Kitchen,” said Gift for Life Chair Sarah Mount.
In honor of Belshaw, gift and home industry colleagues have donated more than $34,000 to World Central Kitchen – fundraising which will serve more than 11,000 hot, healthy meals to in-need communities around the world. Among the 70+ donors, nine contributed $1,000 or more: ANDMORE ($5,000); Gourmet Catalog/Janis Johnson ($3,000); Two’s Company ($2,222); Be Home/Jonathan Hankar, Fern Expo, Connections Housing/Robert Colvin, Bob Maricich, Schauben & Co/Peter Schauben and Cathy & Alan Steel. Donations will be accepted through June 30, at www.giftforlife.org/donate.
Gift for Life, the gift and home industry’s longest-running, volunteer-led charitable organization, was founded by Peter 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. In 2021, Gift for Life pivoted towards online digital events with a specific emphasis on supporting World Central Kitchen’s COVID-related hunger relief. Since that time, Gift for Life has led gift and home industry efforts to fund provision of nearly 100,000 hot, nutritious meals to communities impacted by crisis and conflict worldwide. Gift for Life continues to support year-round programs that address hunger relief, as well as annual support for AIDS Walk NY which benefits GMHC’s HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention, and advocacy programs. More information is available at www.giftforlife.org
Founded in 2010 by Chef José Andrés, World Central Kitchen (WCK) is a nonprofit organization that is first to the frontlines providing fresh meals in response to crises, while working to build resilient food systems with locally led solutions. Applying a model of quick action, leveraging local resources, and adapting in real time, WCK has served more than 300 million nourishing meals around the world. When disaster strikes, WCK’s Relief Team mobilizes with the urgency of now to start cooking and serving meals to people in need. By partnering with organizations on the ground and activating a network of local restaurants, food trucks, or emergency kitchens, WCK serves comforting meals to survivors of disasters quickly and effectively. To support regional economies, WCK prioritizes purchasing local ingredients to cook with or distribute directly to families in need. WCK knows that good food provides not only nourishment, but also comfort and hope, especially in times of crisis. Learn more at wck.org.
