#maderagroup

ChefDance and TocayaLife presented the launch of the Storytellers Session benefitting Blessings in a Backpack to feed hungry children in need. The Storytellers Session is the new “99 for 99” dinner series where 99 guests contribute $99 to feed hungry children in Greater Los Angeles.  On Thursday, ChefDance along with Tocaya Organica’s charitable arm, TocayaLife, partnered for a special evening to benefit the over 640,000 school-aged children in Greater Los Angeles who are food insecure. The inspiring night included a Storytellers Session with Skyler Griswold and other activists who voiced their mission to create positive change in the world.

TocayaLife a charity extension of Tocaya Organica owned by the Madera Group, which was founded in 2013 by visionary entrepreneurs Tosh Berman and Amrou Manaseer.The Madera Group sets the new standard in lifestyle hospitality and sustainable dining. Comprised of a team of  creators, innovators and developers, The Madera Group is dedicated to the evolution of hospitality. Currently, The Madera Group develops, owns and operates a collection of leading restaurant venues, including Toca Madera and Tocaya Organica. The Madera Group’s strategic expansion will include an additional 40 venues opening throughout the U.S. and abroad. For more information, please visit www.themaderagroup.com or follow @TheMaderaGroup on Instagram and Twitter

Skyler and her family donated $1000 dollars in coins for blessings in a backpack, She gave a moving speech as to where our future is headed without those who advocate for children and their well being. “ What we do today, affects those of tomorrow”- states Skyler. A young advocate for change. Skyler is the daughter to Mimi Kim, CEO and owner of ChefDance. Every winter the world’s most affluent individuals and list of influential media descend upon Park City, Utah for the prestigious Sundance Film Festival. In 2004, the first inaugural ChefDance event was developed to coincide with the film festival, providing the perfect marriage of fine food and film. ChefDance events are held in the Memorial Building located at 427 Main Street in Park City. ChefDance invites great guests, companies and chefs to celebrate food, culture and people in an exclusive setting that promises great experiences, great connections and unforgettably great moments.

Together these brands have come united, and are all doing what they can to support Blessings in a Back pack, which mobilizes communities, individuals, and resources to provide food on the weekends for elementary school children across America who might otherwise go hungry. There are more than 13.1 million children in this country who are at risk of hunger. The consequences of hunger are much more than a growling stomach. Poor nutrition can result in a weaker immune system, increased hospitalization, lower IQ, shorter attention spans, and lower academic achievement. Children are fed during the school week by federal government programs, but we want to make sure they’re getting nutritional meals over the weekend, too.Blessings in a Backpack is a 501 C (3) non-profit organization currently feeding over 87,300 children in  nearly 1,092 schools in 45 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. As little as $100 feeds one child on the weekends for one 38-week school year through the Blessings in a Backpack program. The Results: Nourished Kids Ready to Learn.Food is an essential building block, and in this case truly is a blessing, especially to a hungry child!Visit the Get Involved section of our site to find out the various ways in which you can help Blessings in a Backpack feed more children.