Virtual Event and Campaign Designed to Unite Local Dining Communities and Support March of Dimes Motherhood Programs From Prenatal to Postpartum
“Signature Chefs Feeding Motherhood” Virtual Events to Take Place Throughout the Fall and Feature Hundreds of Chefs Across the United States
ARLINGTON, VA – March of Dimes, the nonprofit organization leading the fight for the health of all mothers and babies, has announced that philanthropist, restauranteur, and celebrity chef, Emeril Lagasse, and actress, producer, and New York Times best-selling author, La La Anthony, will headline the March of Dimes Signature Chefs Feeding Motherhood Celebration on Friday, November 13 at 7:30 p.m. ET. The event, which will raise critical funds for research, programs, and services that support moms, moms-to-be, and babies, will be livestreamed on March of Dimes’ Facebook and Instagram pages.
Even before the onset of COVID-19, the United States faced an urgent maternal and infant health crisis and remained among the most dangerous developed nations for childbirth, with more than 50,000 women annually experiencing life-threatening complications as a result of pregnancy and childbirth, and nearly 400,000 babies born prematurely each year. Additionally, the crisis has been significantly driven by the healthy equity disparity in the country, with Black women being three times more likely to die from pregnancy compared to White women. March of Dimes’ virtual Signature Chefs Feeding Motherhood Celebration, and ongoing Signature Chefs campaign, seeks to unite local dining communities to build awareness for the maternal and infant health crisis in the United States, as well as raise funds to nourish all aspects of March of Dimes’ motherhood programs, from prenatal to postpartum.
“At a very young age, by spending time with my mother in the kitchen, I learned that a delicious meal was defined by so much more than just exceptional taste – food feeds our soul, brings us joy and gives families a reason to come together around the table,” said Lagasse. “In honor of my mother, my family and families around the world, I am grateful to be able to share my culinary passion by joining March of Dimes in an effort to help every mom and baby get the best possible start in life.”
“Food has the magical ability to connect different generations as favorite family recipes are passed down through the years. During the pandemic, food can also help us build a sense of family and community as we gather virtually from afar,” said Anthony. “And for generations, March of Dimes has been there to nourish healthier pregnancies for mothers everywhere. That’s why it’s crucial we support their vital work and ensure every mom and baby can be healthy.”
To help combat this issue, March of Dimes has partnered with Lagasse and Anthony for the Signature Chefs Feeding Motherhood Celebration. As part of the event, Lagasse and Anthony will welcome viewers from around the world to a virtual celebration and cooking class, as the two stars prepare one of Lagasse’s very special recipes – Meril’s Pasta Nero – named in honor of his daughter and featuring his mother’s favorite food.
Additional guests will also join the celebration, including film and TV producer, advocate for moms and babies, and Signature Chefs Feeding Motherhood National Event Chair, Tonya Lewis Lee, as well as broadcast journalist, author, advocate for women, and March of Dimes National Board of Trustees member, Gretchen Carlson.
In addition to the upcoming event on Nov. 13, March of Dimes chapters across the country will host a series of Signature Chefs Feeding Motherhood virtual events throughout the Fall, with hundreds of chefs from across the U.S. scheduled to participate.
“Feeding Motherhood is a movement to fuel change and ensure all moms have access to care from prenatal to postpartum. We thank Emeril, La La, and all the chefs taking part in virtual events for stepping up to fight for the health of all moms, moms-to-be, and babies, by drawing attention to the critical need for more research and programs, as well as promoting healthy living,” said Stacey D. Stewart, President and CEO of March of Dimes.
March of Dimes worked with Rogers & Cowan PMK CEO and March of Dimes Los Angeles Chapter Board Member, Mark Owens, to develop the Signature Chefs Feeding Motherhood Celebration event and campaign.
“Now more than ever, it’s incredibly important for organizations, industry leaders, and all people to come together to help vital causes and those in need. As a purpose-driven agency and influencers of culture, R&CPMK has a long history of helping shine a light on worthy causes to raise awareness and create change. We are proud to work with March of Dimes to amplify Signature Chefs Feeding Motherhood, the critical need for health equality, and the fight for the health of mothers and babies,” said Owens. “From our ongoing work helping to promote social justice and equality for all, to our efforts creating necessary platforms for multicultural and inclusive diversity awareness, to our long-standing partnerships and advocacy efforts with the LGBTQ+ community, to representing and supporting both talent and brand clients who are champions for progress, social action and activism is in our DNA. It’s not just the right thing to do, but the only way to do business.”
Nearly 7 million American women of childbearing age live in countries with limited or no maternal care. Earlier this year, March of Dimes released a groundbreaking report, Nowhere to Go: Maternity Care Deserts Across the U.S., highlighting the crisis.
For more information and to find local events, visit feedingmotherhood.org.
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About March of Dimes
March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. We support research, lead programs and provide education and advocacy so that every baby can have the best possible start. Building on a successful 80-year legacy of impact and innovation, we empower every mom and every family. Visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org for more information. Visit shareyourstory.org for comfort and support. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter.