The annual fundraising dinner brought together colleagues, charity partners, clients and supply partners to raise £292,300 for initiatives tackling food insecurity across the UK and Ireland. The event also welcomed guest speaker Asma Khan, one of the world’s most prominent female chefs and the foundation’s first-ever patron.
She has a shared commitment with the Stop Hunger Foundation, championing initiatives that address the root causes of food insecurity, including skills development, resource accessibility, and community empowerment.
Khan said: “It was an honour to be part of this special evening celebrating 20 years of the Stop Hunger Foundation. Food insecurity is a complex issue, but events like this remind us that when people come together with a shared goal, we can make real progress.
“I’m proud to work alongside the foundation in supporting not only immediate relief but also long-term solutions that help empower individuals in communities facing hardship. The passion I saw in the room tonight to raise funds and donate time and expertise gives me real hope for the future.”
Over the past 20 years, the foundation has supported more than 9.6 million beneficiaries through 230 charity partners across over 56 cities and regions, distributing more than £6.4 million in grants. Thanks to Sodexo’s financial support, 100% of the donations made to Stop Hunger are directed towards charitable partners.
Guests not only gave generously but many also pledged their time, signing up to volunteer with the foundation’s long-standing charity partner Trussell. Three awards were presented during the evening:
- Diane Jones – Change Maker of the Year
- MacKenzie Liddelow – Change Maker of the Year
- Kimberly-Clark – Responsible Supplier of the Year
Jean Renton, chief operating officer of Sodexo UK & Ireland and trustee of the Foundation, added: “This year’s event was a powerful celebration and a reminder of what can be achieved to support others. I’m incredibly proud of the funds we’ve raised, but even more so of the passion and commitment shown by our clients, colleagues, charity partners, sponsors and supply partners. Together, we’re building a legacy that creates long-term change.”