Community Kitchen

Origins:

Brookshire Grocery Company’s Community Kitchen is a full-service kitchen on wheels used to serve meals to people in times of crisis and also in times of celebration. In September 2020, the Community Kitchen made its debut with a team of BGC employee-partners deployed to Louisiana to aid those impacted by Hurricane Laura. Since then, the Community Kitchen’s operations have expanded and have provided meals to people every month, whether it be for communities in need, showing support at local events, or to show appreciation to BGC employees. The kitchen has been deployed to all four states BGC operates in following major storms, including Winter Storm Uri in 2021 and several tornadoes and windstorms. In May 2024, BGC deployed the kitchen to two communities heavily affected by recent storms.

On Memorial Day 2024, a team of BGC partners served more than 1,500 free, hot meals to the Claremore, Okla., community after a tornado caused widespread damage. The Community Kitchen was deployed again to Mabank, Texas, after severe storms caused extensive damage and power outages. The Community Kitchen has also provided food for several first responder appreciation events and local community events. Additionally, meals have been served out of the Community Kitchen monthly to Logistics employee-partners at the Tyler Distribution Center. The kitchen has also gone to new stores to welcome employees and customers, as well as served food for special company events such as groundbreakings.

Contribution:

BGC debuted its Community Kitchen to help those in need in the various market areas the company serves and provide disaster relief to those who are affected by hurricanes, tornadoes, and other natural disasters. In addition to feeding community members in times of difficulty, the Community Kitchen provides thousands of meals through appreciation lunches and community events. Annually, the BGC Community Kitchen serves hundreds of veterans and their families, law enforcement officers and first responders. The Community Kitchen provides more than 2,500 meals annually on Juneteenth in Tyler, Texas. The company’s employee-partners volunteer their time at these events to help serve the public. BGC also notably gives back to its employee-partners, serving more than 8,500 meals per year to those who serve and support the company. The company provides funding for the Community Kitchen, the food and staffing. BGC also allows partners to volunteer time to help staff numerous events.

Objectives:

Since 1928, BGC has made a priority of providing exceptional service in its retail stores and in the communities it serves. Service and doing the right thing are a part of the company’s core values. Pillar causes the company supports include hunger relief, family health and well-being, and honoring first responders. The Community Kitchen helps support each of these areas. BGC operates in more than 200 communities in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma. When severe storms, tornadoes and hurricanes occur, the company prioritizes people and service and provides relief for residents, emergency first responders and utility workers to help communities recover by utilizing the Community Kitchen. The Community Kitchen is also used for community outreach efforts, such as recently serving more than 2,000 free meals at a Juneteenth parade in Tyler, Texas. Additionally, the Community Kitchen serves law enforcement and veterans’ events and is also used to provide appreciation meals for employees.

Impact:

Supporting hunger relief is one of the company’s primary areas for charitable giving. W.T. Brookshire, who founded BGC in 1928, believed his calling was to serve communities through the grocery business. Almost a century later, we strive to uphold our founder’s legacy of service. We are committed to food security year-round and in times of tragedy and urgent need. We are grateful to be able to make significant contributions each year to help our community members feed their families. The Community Kitchen is a physical entity that allows us to show support for our customers in the communities we serve. During severe weather, many are without power and water for days. They have a lack of funds due to high costs of lodging when their house is destroyed. Some lack the mobility to find a hot meal to feed themselves and their families. The Community Kitchen provides a resource for these struggling families and lends resources to help serve our customers. Since 2020, the Community Kitchen has served thousands of meals across our market areas in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma, allowing us to connect with our neighbors, sharing a meal both in times of crisis and in celebration.

Quote:

“As we have for 95 years, our Company is dedicated to giving back and supporting our partners, customers, neighbors and the communities we are in,” said Brad Brookshire, Chairman and CEO of Brookshire Grocery Company. “Our Community Kitchen has proven to be a great way for us to show support for the communities we serve, both in good times and in crisis times when they need us most. We make it a top priority to not only help those in need but to build solid relationships with the local communities our company serves.”

Support Statement:

The following statement was posted on Facebook while the Community Kitchen served free, hot meals in Mabank, Texas following severe storms. “Brookshire’s has a full-scale operation going on with hot, fresh lunches. We have Corporate, GMs, Department Heads, cashiers out there working for this community. This little hot meal, that was made FRESH right there in that grocery store parking lot means a lot to a lot of people, myself included. It is a reminder that we are not alone, we have people who care. Businesses are still closed that rely on daily sales and we are suffering. This meal right here is more than food for my stomach, it’s feeding my soul that needed it so much. It is hope in a Styrofoam box and a gift that tells me it will be ok. It’s a reminder of what community is.” – Posted by Renee Weaver.