MINNEAPOLIS – April 4, 2018 – Hilton Minneapolis, Minnesota’s largest hotel, came out on top in the annual Kick Hunger Challenge, partnering with E & J Gallo to donate the equivalent of 34,572 meals to Second Harvest Heartland. It was the largest single contribution of any participant in this year’s challenge.

During the Kick Hunger Challenge, which ran from Aug. 1, 2017 through Feb. 5, 2018, participating businesses and organizations accumulated donations through sales of E & J Gallo wines and spirits. For every bottle of wine sold, four meals were donated, and for every bottle of spirits sold, six meals were donated.
Being a significant hotel partner during Super Bowl LII undoubtedly helped the Hilton Minneapolis gain momentum towards the amount of donated meals, according to Ken Jarka, general manager Hilton Minneapolis.
“It’s important to Hilton Minneapolis and our staff that we give back to our community,” said Jarka. “We engage with a variety of charitable initiatives, and our staff at Ten 01 Social is no stranger to the Kick Hunger Challenge. I am extraordinarily proud of our team for all that they did to help Minnesota’s hungry and homeless.” On April 3, 2018, Hilton’s Ten 01 Social restaurant recognized top selling staff members in the category of bartender, server and event and catering managers. Representatives of E & J Gallo, the Kick Hunger Challenge and Second Harvest Heartland were on hand to personally congratulate the staff.