COMMUNITY AFFAIRS: The Power of Giving - How #AICPGives Made a Holiday Difference Nationwide

AICPGives is AICP’s annual drive to help communities in need. Launched in 2012 by the AICP/West Chapter, #AICPGives donations support key organizations in different member chapters that provide food and goods, including care kits and warm clothing, during the holiday season.

One of our key beneficiaries is Gobble Gobble Give, an organization that has been feeding people on Thanksgiving for 25 years, and for over a decade AICP members have been donation partners in this massive effort. This year, its volunteer crew provided over 12,000 meals. 

“Every year we attempt the almost impossible. Slowly at first, with not much more than hope and confidence. And then we begin to pick up momentum.  And then just days before the event hits in multiple states, with a dozen or more cities and thousands of volunteers who will bring literally tons of warm home cooked meals, it happens. We see the goal line and we realize we are going to make it. We have done it again. Against the odds.  And the only way we do that is because of the people that fuel us.  AICP members are the hands that push us up and over every year without fail.  I literally can't express the gratitude we have for AICP and the force of good it creates every year for us and our mission of feeding some folks a nice hot home cooked meal on Thanksgiving. It’s no small feat and we are only able to do it because of you.  From the bottom of our hearts at Gobble Gobble Give, thank you.” – Barry Walker, Gobble Gobble Give founder. 

The AICP East Chapter also Supports the Gobble Gobble Give, via their Thanksgiving day meal distribution fundraising, as well as their Toys and Goods drive. The Thanksgiving day drive resulted in over 2,000 meals being served. On the Toy front, AICP Members Northern Lights and Sonic Union were given special shout outs from the Gobble Gobble Give East for "donating SO MANY TOYS - you helped brighten the holidays for countless NYC kids."

Donated goods being loaded for distribution in New York City

In Texas, the AICP Southwest chapter supported two organizations. The Austin production community participated in a canned food drive benefitting the Central Texas Food Bank. Over 100 pounds of food and goods were donated. And in Dallas, a fundraising drive benefitting the North Texas Food Bank collected funds for approximately 3,000 meals.

The Midwest chapter once again supported the Greater Chicago Food Depository, with funds raised being used to feed needy families and individuals in the region. The chapter extends the giving spirit into spring by participating in the CHIditarod race, which also combats food insecurity in the region. Click Here for a piece in Reel Chicago covering the chapter's 2025 participation.

Thank you to our members for giving and showing up year after year. It makes a big difference in the lives of the beneficiaries and is a wonderful example of how we show up as an industry and community. If you are interested in learning more about getting involved in #AICPGives for 2026, please contact info@aicp.com.

www.gobblegobblegive.org