Highlighting GK's Summer Giving Champion

Sharing Our Gratitude for Helen Lao of ClearPath Solutions

In a heartfelt testament to the power of community and philanthropy, Helen Lao is an advocate for the food service industry, and her efforts on behalf of Giving Kitchen have made her a beacon of support. As the founder of ClearPath Solutions, a firm established 13 years ago, Helen has consistently demonstrated her dedication to the food service community. This year, her passions translated into tangible support as she led a personal fundraiser that raised over $27,000 for food service workers in crisis.

“I chose Giving Kitchen as my charity to support because they are addressing a huge need in the food service industry. With over 10 million workers, the industry is the second largest employer in the country outside of the U.S. government.

Many food service workers have limited benefits, if any. Giving Kitchen provides emergency assistance for food service workers through financial support and a network of community resources. The organization is funded through philanthropic giving and aids an essential community of people in the food service industry.”

— Helen Lao

Helen was able to share Giving Kitchen's mission with food service workers nationwide by planning a thoughtful and successful fundraiser that included multiple avenues for sharing her passion with industry colleagues in the following ways:

1. Highlighting Gratitude on Personal Social Media Channels:

   • Helen leveraged the reach of social media to rally her network and express gratitude to those who supported her cause. Her heartfelt posts, stories, and regular updates kept the momentum going, creating a ripple effect of generosity and awareness.

2. Conference Events:

   • Helen's engagement didn’t stop at social media. She spread the word about Giving Kitchen by visiting diners, restaurants, and conferences. Her efforts were particularly noteworthy during the #SpringMingle, a one-of-a-kind event at the Restaurant Leadership Conference, where she highlighted the mission and needs of food service workers.

3. Support Through Stark Fitness Challenge:

   • Using the Stark Fitness 2024 team participant page and raising funds through her individual fundraising page, Helen merged her personal fitness challenge with her philanthropic mission. This unique combination not only raised funds but also brought a personal touch to her fundraising efforts, making it relatable and inspiring to our network.

Impact of Contributions

Your donations make sure that food service workers living expenses get paid. Helen's generous contribution is equivalent to:

• 270 water bills, or

• 180 power bills, or

• 540 gas bills, or

• 23 months of housing

Together, we are Giving Kitchen. Thank you, Helen and supporters!

By leveraging established connections through 13 years of industry relationships at ClearPath Solutions, Helen expanded individual national relationships for Giving Kitchen for the first time. Due to her efforts, a food service workers across the country received rental/mortgage assistance and funds for utility bill payments.

Helen's actions propelled our Summer Giving campaign and helped us complete our matching challenge, providing life-changing support for food service workers in crisis.

Together, we are building a food service community that meets each crisis with compassion and care. Helen Lao, your advocacy and love for our mission have positively impacted lives and an entire industry. We are grateful beyond measure for your contributions!

We are Giving Kitchen.
We help food service workers.

Raise critical funds in your network

This case study demonstrates Helen commitment to improving the lives of food service workers and the significant impact her efforts have had on them. If you are interested in setting up your own individual fundraising campaign, please contact our team and learn about all the ways to give to Giving Kitchen.