The Champions of Hope program supports Inspire Brands team members facing unexpected crises. Through company contributions and generous gifts from fellow team members, the program offers short-term financial assistance to help bridge the gap during critical times.
Please complete the form below to make your pledge. Just $1 per paycheck can make a meaningful difference in the life of a team member in need.
Thank you for your compassion and support!
FAQs
Champions of Hope is Inspire’s internal program designed to provide support to team members experiencing a crisis.
The Giving Kitchen is our service partner for Champions of Hope. Team members who need assistance will apply directly to Giving Kitchen for support. Their team will work with the team member to provide financial support and/or a network of community resources. Donations made through Champions of Hope are directed into Giving Kitchen’s larger fund, which is then distributed to Inspire team members as well as other restaurant workers in need during times of crisis.
Champions of Hope is designed to support any Inspire company team member.
Champions of Hope provides support in two ways through our partnership with the Giving Kitchen: Financial Assistance and Stability Network.
- FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: Financial assistance is awarded based on the team member’s financial need as well as a set of criteria according to the type of crisis.
- Qualifying crises are listed below; more information can be found HERE.
- Injury: Breaks, bumps or another physical ailment causing a team member to miss work.
- Illness: Coughs, colds, or worse; a sickness causing a team member to miss work. In-patient treatment for substance abuse is included in this category.
- Death of a Family Member: Death in a team member’s immediate family (spouse, parent, sibling, child, or caregiver).
- Housing Disaster: Flood, fire or storm damage disrupting a team member’s work schedule and housing.
- Most often, Giving Kitchen’s financial assistance covers the cost of rent and utilities paid directly to the billing companies. Please note: Giving Kitchen does not cover payments for medical bills, cell phones, insurance, internet, cable, or similar expenses.
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- STABILITY NETWORK: Giving Kitchen’s Stability Network connects team members to social services. Through partnerships with national, regional, and local service organizations Stability Network connects team members to resources related to mental health & substance misuse, physical health and wellness, employment, housing & utilities, and family & social services.
Team members can apply for assistance directly through Giving Kitchen at https://givingkitchen.org/help/.
- All applications are reviewed by Giving Kitchen case managers. Inspire does not participate in the review and decision-making process and financial support is not guaranteed.
- Team members can apply for assistance for up to six months after a crisis occurs. Once their application is completed and employment verified, the average time to process the application is one week.
Giving to Champions of Hope allows you to support your fellow team member. Lives can change in an instant and by supporting Champions of Hope, you can feel confident that your donation is making an impact in the life of a team member when they need it most.
You can give through payroll deduction by signing up in Workday. Just follow the steps below.
- Click “Menu” and select the “Pay” application in your Workday profile.
- In the “My Tasks” section, select “Voluntary Deductions.” You may have to select “More” first.
- Select “Add” followed by Champions of Hope.
- Choose your desired amount and frequency from the drop-down list.
It isn’t required that you donate to the fund to receive assistance. Similarly, just because you donate does not guarantee you will qualify for assistance. Each request for support is reviewed by the Giving Kitchen team and decisions are made based on need and qualifying criteria.
Below are just a few of the team members that have been helped by Champions of Hope and your generosity.
“My Daughter has been diagnosed with Intractable Epilepsy and Increased Seizure Activity and I have 6 children with 4 of them home and I have been out of work for 2 months and will continue to be out of work until she is better.” Sonic Cashier – single mom, 4 children at home, received 2 months of assistance
“I had a fall due to a broken chair leg. I hurt my right foot, my back, left hand and hit my head on the windowsill which caused a stiff neck. I ended up in the hospital. My ankle surgery will have me out for 3 months. I will receive no paychecks the time I’m out of work. I’m using my last 4 days of PTO time and I borrowed 5 days of PTO which I have to pay back after my leave. I am the head of household where I cover a large percentage of the bills and cost of living. Thanks.” Arby’s Manager – wife and adult son at home, received 2 months of assistance
“In July, I suffered a stroke. I went to the hospital and thankfully they operated on me in time to relieve fluid in my brain. I am still struggling with recouping my mobility and speech. I am still out of work earning zero dollars for my bills. Doctors say I am doing well, but no determined date on my ability to return to work. Obviously, I am burning through all savings and struggling.” Buffalo Wild Wings AGM, received 1 month of assistance