Feeding America: Cracker Barrel Food for Families

The Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Foundation, established in 1993 by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, is a private philanthropic organization focused on providing support to nonprofits that offer comfort, nourishment, and care to underserved communities. The Foundation, along with Cracker Barrel Old Country Store itself, has collectively donated millions of dollars over 25 years, aligning with the company’s long-standing mission of "Pleasing People." Through a combination of in-kind donations, event sponsorships, and grant funding, the Foundation has contributed significantly to improving food access, promoting inclusivity, and supporting local community needs. The Foundation’s core giving program is guided by the Cracker Barrel Food for Families initiative, which was launched in 2021. This initiative aims to alleviate food insecurity, support community needs using food, and reduce food waste. It also reflects a broader national strategy developed through a multifaceted partnership with Feeding America, with a particular focus on high-need rural and underserved minority communities. The program seeks to cultivate a culture where food is used as a tool to care for each other, with activities such as providing meals, reducing food waste, and fostering equitable food distribution systems. Funding is distributed in the form of financial grants, dining certificate donations, and community event sponsorships. The Foundation evaluates requests that align with its philanthropic priorities: combating hunger in America and promoting diversity and inclusion. Organizations are expected to demonstrate how their missions align with these focus areas. However, the Foundation does not support entities affiliated with Feeding America directly, encouraging them instead to apply through the Feeding America member grant application. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations; however, detailed eligibility requirements are not specified on the main donation portal. Organizations that engage in discriminatory practices based on a wide range of protected characteristics, or whose activities are politically aligned, are expressly ineligible. Requests for funding must be submitted via the online donation request portal, requiring applicants to create an account to begin the submission process. The application portal is managed through Benevity, a third-party platform. The Foundation accepts applications on a rolling basis, allowing organizations to submit requests at any time during the year. Although no explicit deadlines are mentioned, the ongoing nature of the program implies that funding opportunities are available year-round. Notification timelines, award disbursement dates, and performance periods are not detailed in the available materials. Likewise, specific evaluation metrics or reporting requirements are not publicly outlined, and applicants are encouraged to use the online system for any inquiries or technical support.

Emphasize alignment with food insecurity and diversity/inclusion; avoid generic requests.