BCG Community Kitchen

Origins:

Brookshire Grocery Company’s (BGC) Community Kitchen is a full-service kitchen on wheels, created to meet community needs and bridge gaps in food access, whether in the aftermath of disaster or in celebration of meaningful moments. Launched in September 2020, through intentional planning and in alignment with the company’s core values, the Community Kitchen made its debut with a team of employees deployed to Louisiana to support those affected by Hurricane Laura. Since then, the program has grown into a vital, flexible resource, providing thousands of meals each month. Whether responding to crises, participating in local events, or showing appreciation to employees, the Community Kitchen continues to serve by offering meals to anyone in need. The kitchen has been deployed in the four states where the company operates, following major storms. In June 2025, the Community Kitchen served more than a thousand hot meals to storm-impacted residents in Bonham, Texas, following widespread damage and power outages. The next trip will be to Central Texas to serve those impacted by the recent flooding. The mobile kitchen also plays an important role in community celebrations and cultural recognition. On June 14, 2025, a team of partners served more than 2,000 free, hot meals to Tyler residents during a Juneteenth event. Beyond emergency response and public events, the Community Kitchen has supported numerous first responder appreciation days, monthly meal distributions to employee-partners, and store openings. It also plays a central role at major company events such as groundbreakings on new store locations.

Contribution:

• BGC has invested in expanding the Community Kitchen’s capabilities, including a mobile grill and a 30-foot cargo utility trailer to meet growing program demands.

• BGC provides funding for food, staffing, and operations, ensuring the program’s sustainability and ability to respond quickly.

• The program embodies the Company’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and service, with a goal to continue expanding its reach and impact. Community Participation

• Since 2020, the Community Kitchen has served thousands of meals across Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, helping neighbors during times of crisis and celebration.

• Employee-partners are encouraged and supported to volunteer their time, helping to staff numerous Community Kitchen events.

• Each deployment and event receives strong community praise, reinforcing the program’s positive local impact and ongoing relevance.

Objectives:

Since 1928, BGC has prioritized exceptional service in its stores and communities. Guided by core values of service and integrity, it supports key causes like hunger relief, family health and honoring first responders. The Community Kitchen advances these efforts. The Community Kitchen aims to provide disaster relief by delivering hot meals to communities affected by natural disasters across Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. It fosters community connection by serving meals at cultural celebrations and appreciation events for veterans, first responders and employee-partners. Operating as a fully equipped mobile kitchen, the program expands access to nutritious food with dignity and inclusivity, offering meals with no questions asked. It actively engages employee-partners through volunteer opportunities, promoting a culture of service aligned with BGC’s Core Values. Committed to sustainability and growth, the Community Kitchen continually invests in resources to meet increasing demand and address emerging community needs.

Impact:

The Community Kitchen’s success is driven by strategic investments in mobile infrastructure, such as a fully equipped mobile kitchen, a mobile grill, and a 24-foot cargo trailer, that enable rapid deployment across Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. Since 2020, the program has served thousands of meals annually, including over 2,500 meals each Juneteenth and more than 8,500 meals to employee-partners, veterans, and first responders. This scale of service ensures consistent food access during disasters and community events. The program’s volunteer base, composed primarily of employee-partners, strengthens operational capacity and fosters community engagement. The program engages employee volunteers who contribute many hours each year serving local communities. By serving meals with no questions asked, the Community Kitchen removes barriers to food access, promoting dignity and inclusivity. Community feedback and repeat event participation demonstrate strong public approval, with measurable benefits including thousands of meals delivered during emergencies and ongoing support to vulnerable populations across multiple states.

Quote:

“For nearly a century, our Company has been dedicated to giving back and supporting our partners, customers, and neighbors within the communities we serve,” said Brad Brookshire, Chairman and CEO of Brookshire Grocery Company. “Our Community Kitchen has proven to be a great way for us to show our support, both in good times and in crisis times when our neighbors need us most. We make it a top priority to not only help those in need but to build strong relationships within these communities.”

Support Statement:

The following statements were posted on Facebook while the Community Kitchen served free, hot meals in Bonham, Texas on June 10, to those who were impacted by storms. https://www.facebook.com/share/1EHFsd7qur/

“This is why I love shopping at Brookshire's. Family and community first.” - Sarah E. Duhon

“Thank you Brookshires for supporting the community that supports you!” - Debbie Noble Baecht.

“Thank you so much for this, it means more than you can even imagine.” - Laquetta Dukes.

“God Bless you all - this is such a great community building gesture!!!” - Laura Robinson