Shef, the online marketplace connecting people with vetted local chefs, today announced the launch of Neighbors Feeding Neighbors, an initiative that turns its network of local chefs into an engine for community impact. Supported by Shef investor and longtime hunger-relief advocate, Tony Robbins, the campaign aims to feed 100,000 neighbors experiencing food insecurity this holiday season. The program will continue beyond the holiday season, creating a new model for community impact.

The initiative connects community support directly to meal delivery: customers fund chef-prepared meals, Shef activates local chefs to prepare them, and local community partners distribute them to neighbors in need. Every meal creates impact twice, helping a neighbor facing food insecurity, while creating paid opportunity for a local chef.

“When I was 11 years old, my family had no money for Thanksgiving dinner. And then a stranger showed up at our door with a meal,” said Robbins. “I’ll never forget what that meant to me. It wasn’t just the food. It was knowing that somebody cared. That experience changed my life, and it’s one of the reasons I’ve dedicated so much of my life to feeding people in need. That’s what I love about Neighbors Feeding Neighbors. It’s people coming together to take care of each other, while supporting local chefs in their own communities. Because when you give someone a meal, you’re giving them more than food. You’re reminding them that somebody cares.”

From November 10th through December 10th, Shef will also match eligible campaign meal donations with a contribution to Tony Robbins’ 100 Billion Meals Challenge.

“From the beginning, Shef has been about bringing communities closer together through the food they share,” said Joey Grassia, co-founder and CEO of Shef. “Neighbors Feeding Neighbors brings that same mission to life in a new way, giving local chefs and neighbors the chance to care for our neighbors in need. We’re so excited about the impact we can create together, and we hope this program becomes a lasting reminder that a homemade meal has the power to nourish, empower, and connect our community.”

Turning Donations Into Meals:

  • Customers fund meals. People can give through the Neighbors Feeding Neighbors landing page with a one-time or recurring monthly donation, as well as through additional touchpoints on Shef.

  • Local chefs prepare the meals. Funded meals become paid meal orders for participating chefs in Shef communities, who prepare and package them in coordinated fulfillment waves.

  • Local partners distribute. Shef works with local shelters, food-access organizations, and other giving partners to deliver the meals to neighbors experiencing food insecurity.

Shef is working with local distribution partners throughout the country, including Lincoln Park Community Services in Chicago, City Harvest in New York City, The Midnight Mission in Los Angeles, GLIDE in the Bay Area, Food Lifeline in Seattle, Mobile Loaves & Fishes in Austin, Houston Food Bank in Houston, Thrive DC in Washington, DC, Boston Rescue Mission in Boston, and others.

“Thanksgiving is a time when people come together, and everyone deserves to feel that sense of connection and care, especially those who may be experiencing a difficult chapter in their lives,” says Cheryl Hamilton-Hill, CEO of Lincoln Park Community Services. “We’re grateful to Shef and Neighbors Feeding Neighbors for providing Thanksgiving meals and reminding our residents that they are part of a community that cares about them and wants them to feel supported, welcomed and included.”

While the concentrated holiday campaign ends December 31, one-time and recurring meal giving will remain available on Shef year-round, so neighbors can keep feeding neighbors beyond the holidays.

To learn more or fund a meal, visit shef.com/neighborsfeedingneighbors

About Shef

Shef is redefining mealtime by connecting families with their own shared personal chef. The platform connects households with talented local chefs who prepare fresh, homemade meals — combining the care of home cooking with the convenience of delivery, at a price that beats takeout.

Shef was founded by Joey Grassia and Alvin Salehi, sons of immigrants who grew up seeing firsthand how food can nourish a family, bring people together, and create opportunity. Inspired by their mothers and the role food played in their own homes, they built Shef to help local chefs turn their talent into meaningful income while sharing their food with the communities around them. At its core, Shef is about more than making mealtime easier — it’s about empowering chefs, strengthening local communities, and helping more people experience the connection that can happen around a homemade meal.

Today, Shef operates in cities across the U.S., including New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago, Dallas, Austin, Boston, Houston and Washington, D.C. Visit www.shef.com to discover your shared personal chef.

About Tony Robbins’ 100 Billion Meals Challenge

The 100 Billion Meals Challenge was established with the goal of addressing global hunger at an unprecedented scale. Through innovative partnerships with public and private sector entities, they coordinate large-scale food donations, support sustainable agricultural efforts, and respond to emergencies in areas experiencing severe food shortages. The movement’s commitment to providing 100 billion meals demonstrates its long-term dedication to creating a world where no one goes hungry.

About Tony Robbins

Tony Robbins is an eight-time #1 New York Times bestselling author, entrepreneur, peak performance coach, and life and business strategist. A recognized authority on the psychology of leadership, negotiations, and organizational turnaround, he has served as an advisor to leaders around the world for more than 40 years. He is also a philanthropist whose influence extends globally, positively impacting over 50 million individuals across 100 countries through his audio programs, educational videos, and live seminars.

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