Macy's has teamed up with Feeding America for Come Together, an awareness and fundraising campaign with the goal of donating 10 million meals to men, women and children across the nation. Martha Stewart, Donald Trump, Jessica Simpson, Mariah Carey, Emeril Lagasse, Queen Latifah, Usher and Tommy Hilfiger are among the celebrity ambassadors of the campaign.
Feeding America, the nation's largest hunger-relief nonprofit, has more than 200 local food banks that serve 63,000 agencies nationwide, and feeds more than 25 million Americans each year. Every dollar donated yields seven meals for those facing hunger. Macy's is matching each dollar donated until the 10 million meal goal is reached.
There are three important ways you can get involved:
•HOST a dinner party for family and friends, where guests are strongly urged to make a donation to Feeding America in lieu of a gift. An invitation creator and theme ideas are available on Macy's site, Come Together.
•GIVE a dollar, provide seven meals for the needy. You can donate online, directly at Macy's registers, or even mail in checks to Feeding America.
•SHOP for a cause on October 17 at Macy's. Purchasing a $5 shopping pass provides much-needed donations to local food bank on this national charity shopping day, in exchange for great savings at the store.
You can watch people from all over the country log their invitations and dinner plans as well as make donations and share their stories and ideas on the interactive Come Together national community map.
So far, approximately 3.5 million meals have been donated, and a breakdown of donations by state can be viewed here.