, a partnership between D.C. beer hall and events space Hook Hall and the that has been feeding struggling restaurant workers, has received a $130,000 donation from , through its mascot Mr. Peanut, as part of its campaign.
Parent company Kraft Heinz, which is forgoing Super Bowl advertising for Mr. Peanut this year, is instead using the $5 million Super Bowl budget 鈥渢o recognize and reward little acts of extraordinary substance across the country.鈥�
Hook Hall Helps is the first recipient.
Planters will give away $1 million to locally owned bars across the country that are going above and beyond for their neighbors. It will give $50,000 to a total of 20 bars, and make its choices .
Hook Hall Helps was launched in March 2020 by Hook Hall owner Anna Valero. Last year it raised more than $600,000 and provided more than 10,000 free meals to struggling hospitality workers. It recently expanded its program to Northern Virginia.
鈥淎t the beginning of the initiative, a lot of people told us we were nuts. I guess today Mr. Peanut confirmed it鈥檚 true,鈥� Valero said.
Hook Hall Helps uses donations to pay restaurants to prepare the meals. The restaurants, in turn, are able to pay their employees for the additional work. Restaurants can .
