Samantha Z., Program Manager, Toast.org

This November, Toasters around the world came together for our fifth annual Season of Giving—a month dedicated to addressing food insecurity and uplifting communities through volunteering, giving, and collective action. Hunger continues to be a global crisis, with around 735 million people facing food insecurity. This year, Toasters showed what is possible when we meet this challenge together as One Team.

Season of Giving is a cornerstone of Toast.org’s mission to enrich the food experience for all. Every November, we bring together the strength of our people, products, and philanthropy to support organizations fighting hunger in the communities where we live and work.

This year, Toasters engaged at record levels across volunteering, giving, learning, and celebrating impact. Here’s a look back at what we accomplished together.

Taking Action Through Service: Volunteering Locally and Virtually

Toasters volunteered with 60 hunger relief organizations worldwide—supporting food banks, meal distribution sites, soup kitchens, and more. From sorting groceries to packing meals to rescuing surplus food, our efforts directly supported those facing food insecurity.

We also partnered with Hunger Free America to support families potentially impacted by the SNAP benefits gap. Toasters joined virtual volunteer sessions to update critical information for their national hunger hotline, helping ensure families could access up-to-date food assistance resources.

Together, these efforts demonstrated the power of showing up for our communities—both in person and from home.

Giving That Multiplied Impact

This year marked our first month-long double match for donations to hunger relief organizations, amplifying the support Toasters provided during a time of heightened need.

• 2,200+ Toasters donated
• $192,000 contributed across donations, matches, and rewards
• 1,400 hunger-related causes supported around the world

Every dollar went further thanks to Toast.org’s match, ensuring more families had access to essential nutrition throughout November.

This Season of Giving, Toasters helped extend our impact beyond our own giving by supporting fundraising efforts at Toast-powered restaurants. Throughout November, 

Toast.org matched $50,000 in guest contributions made through Toast Fundraising campaigns organized by participating restaurants.

By pairing our platform innovation with community generosity, we helped restaurant partners amplify support for nonprofits working to end hunger—turning everyday dining moments into opportunities to give back.

Toasters also earned and redeemed:

• $25 in global donation rewards, gifted to Toasters to use by the end of the year
• $10 per hour volunteered for November events

Our Global Virtual Food Drive was another matching opportunity, where grocery items and meal kits were doubled and sent directly to local food banks. Together, these giving opportunities turned moments of generosity into meaningful, sustained impact.

Directing Local Support Through Hometown Grants

Across dozens of cities around the world, Toast.org Local Committee Chairs curated hometown grant ballots, made up of hunger relief organizations for Toasters to vote on. Through this process, Toasters helped direct $500,000 in Hometown Grants to impactful nonprofits addressing food insecurity close to home.

This local-first approach helps ensure Toasters can fuel change where it matters most—in their own communities.

Celebrating Changemakers and Community Leaders

This year we refreshed and expanded the Global Impact Awards (formerly the Toast.org Impact Awards) to honor Toasters who lead through service, inclusion, and community spirit. Nearly 150 nominations were submitted—highlighting individuals and teams who demonstrate exceptional leadership, collaboration, and commitment to building a healthier, more sustainable, and equitable world. 

We also launched the inaugural Toast Changemakers Program, awarding 15 U.S. restaurants $10,000 grants to amplify their hunger relief work. These restaurants are reshaping what community impact looks like in the food service industry, and we’re proud to celebrate their leadership. Meet the 2025 grant recipients here. 

Educating Toasters and their Families

Families also joined in through our Food Insecurity Impact Kits, engaging our croutons with creative activities that help build empathy and awareness about hunger in our world.

A Month of Collective Impact

From global volunteering to matched donations to shared learning and celebration, Season of Giving 2025 reflected the very best of Toast: a team that shows up for each other and for our communities.

Together, Toasters worldwide:

• Volunteered with 60 hunger relief organizations
• Contributed $192,000 to hunger relief causes
• Supported 1,400 nonprofits
• Activated donation rewards and double matches for greater impact
• Joined virtual volunteer sessions to help families navigating food assistance changes
• Directed $500,000 in Hometown Grants to local partners
• Celebrated extraordinary Toasters and restaurants through our Global Impact Awards and Changemakers Program

Looking Ahead

The need remains great—but so is our capacity to make a difference. Season of Giving 2025 showed how powerful our community can be when we come together with purpose.

Thank you to every Toaster who donated, volunteered, learned, led, and showed up. Your actions—big and small—help make the world a healthier, more sustainable, and equitable place. Here’s to another year of giving, growing, and serving—together.