AUBURN, Wash. (August 4, 2022)—GIG Cares, an independent nonprofit organization tackling the challenges facing the gluten-free community, is experiencing a rise in demand for its Cutting Costs food assistance program. The program ships monthly boxes of gluten-free food to those facing food insecurity. The sharp demand for the food boxes is driven by the high cost of gluten-free foods due to rising inflation in the wake of the pandemic and other major global events.
According to GIG Cares, nearly one quarter of U.S. households have at least one person eating gluten-free; food insecurity affects one in six people who need to be gluten-free. Of this group, 75% cannot afford their diet because the cost of gluten-free food is 183% more than gluten-containing foods. The boxes, sent once per month to those who apply and qualify, contain high-quality, Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO)-certified gluten-free staples. Just one box can provide a significant supplement to people facing the challenge of affording groceries, especially highly priced gluten-free foods.
GIG Cares was created through a partnership with the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG), a major gluten-free advocacy organization working to make life easier for those living gluten-free. The Cutting Costs program is made possible with a financial grant from GIG. It’s also supported by contributions from generous donors such as food companies certified by GFCO and individual contributors. Since December, more than 1,000 Cutting Costs boxes has been shipped.
To boost its efforts to access more funding and expand its services to a larger proportion of the gluten-free community, GIG Cares is hosting “A Night to Care,” an in-person and virtual fundraiser on Saturday, August 27, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. PT. The in-person event will be held at the Historic 1625 Tacoma Place in Tacoma and offers a gourmet four-course gluten-free dinner and a silent and live auction. Those attending the virtual event will also be able to participate in the auctions and donate to this cause. Funding raised from the event will support GIG Cares initiatives that include the Cutting Costs food relief program, Generation GF programs for gluten-free children and teens, support groups for the gluten-free community and more. For registration details, visit https://www.gigcares.org/a-night-to-care-gala. RSVPs are required by August 12, 2022.
About GIG Cares
GIG Cares is an action-oriented organization driving grassroots efforts aimed at tackling the biggest challenges facing the gluten-free community. Born through a partnership with the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG), a 48-year-old institution in the gluten-free community, GIG Cares is an independent organization on a mission to tackle the fundamental needs of the gluten-free community, starting with food insecurity. Donations to support GIG Cares and expand this mission can be made at this website: https://www.gigcares.org/how-to-help.
Media Contact: Joe Garber, Sterling Kilgore, jgarber@sterlingkilgore.com, 630-964-8500 x229