During a time of great economic uncertainty, the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) and members of the promotional products industry came together to raise over $100,000, helping provide 1 million meals to children, families and the elderly through the #ASIcares food bank fund drive campaign.

The industry-wide fund drive began on May 12. Suppliers, distributors and decorators made cash contributions to their local food banks and pantries and sent receipts to ASI, which pledged to match every dollar donated, up to $50,000, and then make one large donation to Feeding America, the largest domestic hunger-relief organization in the country, which serves over 60,000 food pantries and 200 food banks.

After weeks of fundraising, the generosity of industry companies and individuals raised $50,210, resulting in over $100,000 in overall donations with ASI’s match, exceeding ASI’s original goal.

All participating donors will be named to the Bess Cohn Humanitarian Society and acknowledged during the annual ASI Counselor Awards, held virtually on Wednesday, July 22 at 5 p.m. E.T. ASI members may register at this link.

“I’m grateful and humbled that by working together, ASI and the promotional products industry are helping feed the most vulnerable among us, in communities everywhere,” said ASI President and Chief Executive Officer Timothy M. Andrews. “The donations started pouring in as soon as we announced our fund drive and didn’t stop until the very last day. Everyone who donated, whether it was $20 or $10,000, deserves our gratitude. Once again, caring people throughout our industry proved that simple human kindness will always win out, no matter how dark the day. From the bottom of my heart, and on behalf of everyone at ASI and the Norman Cohn family, thank you.”

Added ASI Chairman Norman Cohn: “There have been many days I have been proud of our company and our industry. Today was one of the ‘most proud’ days. With our family and ASI team donation and industry matching, we actually provided 1,000,000 meals (count the zeros –this isn’t a typographical error!) to help feed the hungry.”

According to Feeding America, through its partnerships, the organization works to rescue food before it’s wasted. As a result, every dollar donated to Feeding America helps it secure and distribute through its nationwide network of food banks at least 12 pounds of food – the equivalent of 10 meals – to people facing hunger.

Notable donors to the fund drive include Harper + Scott (asi/220052), Storm Creek (asi/89879), Doing Good Works (asi/222095), Roaring Moose (asi/309241) and The Hat Source (asi/221987). Several promo companies, including AIM Smarter (asi/522700), ePromos Promotional Products (asi/188515), FORMost Graphic Communications (asi/196369) and Summit Group (asi/339116) also organized employee fund drives to contribute larger donations for hunger-relief efforts.