How Noodles & Company Builds Holiday Connection Through the Feed Our Family Turkey Drive

Since 2017, Noodles & Company, a national fast-casual restaurant known for serving globally-inspired noodles, has brought its values of care and community to life through the annual Feed Our Family Holiday Turkey Drive. Each October, team members come together to ensure that every colleague can enjoy a holiday meal. Over the years, this beloved tradition has raised enough funds to provide nearly 6,000 meals for team members and their families, showcasing the generosity and unity that define the company’s culture.

A Tradition Rooted in Caring

The Feed Our Family Holiday Turkey Drive began with a simple goal: to make sure no team member goes without a holiday meal. Recognizing that some employees face additional challenges during the holidays, the company sought a way for everyone to meaningfully support one another.

Each October, during the second week of the month, team members are invited to contribute. Every $20 donation provides a Turkey, Ham, Fruit and Vegetable Gift Certificate, helping ensure that every family can enjoy a festive and nourishing meal.

This year, after recognizing a slowdown in fundraising caused by tighter team member budgets, Noodles & Company expanded the drive by inviting their vendors to take part. The response was immediate and heartfelt. Vendors stepped up without hesitation or questions, demonstrating the true spirit of community and generosity that defines the program.

Simple Systems, Big Impact

From the beginning, the company’s leaders wanted to keep the process easy to manage and focused on impact– not logistics. That’s where gThankYou comes in.

“Working with gThankYou has been wonderful,” says Benefits Manager Jennifer Saperstein. “The team is so efficient, responsive, and accommodating, which makes the entire process seamless for us year after year. They’ve taken what could be a complex, time-consuming effort and made it simple and stress-free.”

With gThankYou’s flexibility, certificates are distributed quickly to Area and General Managers, who ensure that the support reaches the team members who need it most. The streamlined process allows the company to focus less on administration and more on connection and strengthening bonds within the workplace during one of the most meaningful times of the year.

A Program That Makes a Difference

Area Managers distribute the certificates through their General Managers, who often share heartfelt stories of gratitude and appreciation from their teams.

“Our General Managers shared that this program truly makes a difference in the lives of our team members,” Saperstein shares. “It really shows how much we care and provides meaningful support during the holidays.”

Over time the Turkey Drive has become more than just a seasonal event, it’s a symbol of the company’s commitment to its people. It reflects a culture that values compassion, connection, and taking care of one another.

Advice for Other Organizations

For companies considering a similar initiative, Saperstein offers this advice:

“Keep the focus on simplicity and impact. Partnering with a provider like gThankYou makes the process very straightforward, which allows you to put your energy into engaging your team and communicating the purpose behind the program. Involve your field leaders—they know their teams best and can make sure the support goes where it’s needed most. And above all, emphasize the why. When people understand that their donations directly help their coworkers and their families enjoy a holiday meal, participation becomes very meaningful and the program builds a real sense of community.”

A Culture of Gratitude

The Feed Our Family Holiday Turkey Holiday Drive continues to grow each year, but its heart remains the same: bringing people together through kindness and gratitude. By combining thoughtful organization with genuine care, Noodles & Company has built a holiday tradition that nourishes both bodies and spirits.

“The holidays can be a joyful time, but they can also bring added stress for many families. By providing Turkey, Ham, Fruits and Vegetables certificates we’re ensuring that every Noodles Team Member has the opportunity to share a holiday meal with their loved ones, without having to worry about how to afford it. This program is about more than food, it’s about showing care, strengthening our community, and living our values by supporting one another. Over the past eight years, nearly 6,000 gThankYou certificates have gone directly to our team members who needed a little extra support. That’s thousands of meals shared, thousands of moments of relief, and countless reminders that we take care of our own. When team members contribute, they’re helping ensure that no one in our Noodles family has to go without during the holidays.” says Saperstein.

Each year, as team members donate and managers distribute certificates, the program reinforces a simple but powerful message: we’re all in this together.