P.F. Chang’s Launches Spirit of the Zodiac Campaign to Support Starlight Children’s Foundation

P.F. Chang’s is launching a new annual charitable initiative designed to bring comfort to children during hospital stays. The Scottsdale-based restaurant brand announced Spirit of the Zodiac, a giving program inspired by the Chinese zodiac, with its inaugural campaign—Year of the Fire Horse: Spirit of Strength—benefiting Starlight Children’s Foundation.

What the campaign supports

Starlight Children’s Foundation serves more than 800 children’s hospitals nationwide, providing programs such as toy deliveries, hospital gowns, gaming stations, and other experiences intended to help kids feel more comfortable, connected, and supported during medical care.

How guests can participate (Sept. 2–Sept. 30)

From September 2 through September 30, 2026, guests can purchase Bao, a limited-edition horse plushie, for $10 through dine-in transactions at participating P.F. Chang’s restaurants (while supplies last). For each Bao purchased, P.F. Chang’s will donate an identical Bao plushie to Starlight for distribution through its hospital network—up to 20,000 donated plushies.

Guests can also support the campaign by rounding up their checks or making a direct donation in restaurant. The overall effort aims to raise $500,000 to support Starlight’s work with children and families.

Bonus offer for donors

P.F. Chang’s says guests who purchase Bao or make an in-restaurant donation of $10 or more to Starlight will receive an offer for a complimentary appetizer with the purchase of an entrée on a future dine-in visit, valid through October 31, 2026 (restrictions apply; participating locations only).

A story component for families

The campaign also includes a storytelling element: Bao’s journey will be featured in a digital story and an original children’s book by author Jenny Liao and illustrator Adriane Tsai, expected to publish later this month.

What to watch for

P.F. Chang’s and Starlight plan to continue the partnership beyond September, including in-hospital catering and plush deliveries in early October.

For more information, visit www.pfchangs.com/offers/spirit-of-the-zodiac. To learn more about the partnership, visit starlight.org/pfchangs.

💪 Your health journey starts here! Explore the latest health news, fitness tips, wellness trends, and healthy living advice. Share your thoughts in the comments and subscribe to the STM Daily News newsletter to stay informed and inspired every day.

Child hunger isn’t an abstract issue—it’s a daily reality for families in communities across the U.S. That’s why StarKist® is renewing its long-running partnership with Feed the Children through the Put Child Hunger to Bed™ campaign, turning simple, everyday actions into tangible support for kids who need it most.

Announced April 30, 2026, the campaign runs May 1 through September 30, 2026, and gives consumers two straightforward ways to participate: buy a product many already keep in their pantry, or donate directly online. Either way, the goal is the same—help more children and families access nutritious food and essential resources.

Two ways everyday choices can make an impact

StarKist is inviting shoppers to join the movement with built-in giving tied to routine purchases:

• Buy a tuna pouch, give a pouch: For every StarKist tuna pouch purchased, StarKist will donate one pouch to Feed the Children, up to 100,000 pouches.
• Donate online, double the impact: StarKist will match consumer donations dollar-for-dollar, up to $100,000, when donations are made through the campaign site.

Consumers can learn more or donate directly at StarKist.com/feedthechildren.

A partnership with more than 15 years behind it

StarKist and Feed the Children aren’t new collaborators. According to StarKist, the organizations have worked together for more than 15 years, combining product donations and financial contributions to support children and families experiencing hunger and hardship.

Michael Merritt Jr., Vice President and Head of Marketing & Innovation at StarKist, said the campaign is designed to make participation easy and meaningful—so consumers can be part of the solution through actions that fit naturally into everyday life.

Feed the Children also emphasized the broader impact: when families have reliable access to food and essentials, it doesn’t just help them get through today—it supports children’s development and future opportunities.

Jax joins the campaign to amplify awareness

To help bring the message to more families and communities, StarKist is partnering with a group of creators and advocates, including musician and mom Jax (@jax), who has 14.7 million TikTok followers and is known for uplifting, relatable content.

Jax shared that becoming a mom has deepened her perspective on food insecurity—and that no child should have to wonder where their next meal is coming from. As part of the collaboration, she’s also teaming up with Charlie The Tuna® for a new jingle tied to the campaign.

More voices joining the movement

Alongside Jax, StarKist is working with additional creators to encourage participation and share practical ways to support families:

• Becca Kufrin (@bkoof) – TV personality and mom
• Kit Hoover (@kithoover) – TV host
• Marina Chaparro (@nutrichicos) – Registered pediatric dietitian
• Samantha Busch (@samanthabusch) – Lifestyle influencer and philanthropist

The mix of entertainment, family lifestyle, and nutrition voices is intentional: the campaign is built to meet people where they already are—online, in stores, and in daily routines.

Why tuna pouches are the campaign’s centerpiece

StarKist is centering the campaign around its tuna pouches because they’re designed for convenience and nutrition—ready-to-eat, fully cooked, and available in more than 20 varieties. The company notes that each pouch delivers 12 grams or more of protein, making it an easy option for quick lunches, snacks, or on-the-go meals.

The bigger idea: when a product is already part of a household routine, tying it to giving can help scale impact—turning a small choice into support for families facing food insecurity.

How to get involved

If you want to participate between May 1 and September 30, 2026, you can:

1. Purchase any StarKist tuna pouch (any size, type, or flavor) at your local grocery store or retailer
2. Visit StarKist.com/feedthechildren to learn more or donate (with matching available up to the campaign limit)

Together, StarKist and Feed the Children say they’re working toward a shared goal: helping ensure kids can focus on growing, learning, and dreaming—rather than worrying about their next meal.

About the organizations

• StarKist Co. is a socially responsible company focused on convenient, nutritious proteins, known for its single-serve pouch products and its longtime mascot, Charlie The Tuna®.
• Feed the Children is a global nonprofit working to end childhood hunger in the U.S. and around the world by providing food, essentials, and opportunities to children and families.

To read more about community-related events, visit www.stmdailynews.com and search for “community.”

Advertisement

Chicken Salad Chick and the guests who keep its dining rooms busy just delivered a major win for pediatric cancer research and family support in Atlanta and beyond.

The fast-casual chicken salad brand announced that through the Chicken Salad Chick Foundation, it raised a record-breaking $382,604.30 for CURE Childhood Cancer throughout 2025. The donation was presented at the companys annual owner conference on March 23, 2026, surpassing last years total by more than $50,000 and marking the largest single gift in the partnerships history.

A hometown partnership with real-world reach

Both organizations are headquartered in Atlanta, and the relationship has become a consistent, community-powered pipeline of support for families navigating childhood cancer. For CURE, that support helps fund targeted research and provide crisis-oriented assistance to patients and caregiversthe kind of help that matters immediately when a diagnosis changes everything.

For families facing a diagnosis right now, that impact is real, said Kristin Connor, CEO of CURE Childhood Cancer. It means more options, more precision, and a better chance at a good outcome.

How the $382K was raised: cookies, cards, and local giving

The 2025 total came from two guest-facing initiatives that have become annual traditions:

• Cookies for a CURE (September 2025): During Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Chicken Salad Chick sold its Lemon Burst Buttercream Cookies, with proceeds benefiting CURE Childhood Cancer through the foundation.
• Giving Card program (NovemberDecember 2025): The program splits proceeds50% to CURE Childhood Cancer and 50% to local charities chosen by individual restaurants. Those local partners often include organizations focused on food insecurity and other cancer-related causes.

That second piece is what makes the campaign feel especially community-forward: each restaurant can support national research while also backing on-the-ground organizations in its own neighborhood.

A testament to the generosity of our guests

Chicken Salad Chick President and CEO Scott Deviney credited the milestone to the people who show upguests, franchise owners, and teams across the brands footprint.

Surpassing last years total and reaching a new record is a testament to the generosity of our guests, the dedication of our franchise owners, and the passion our teams bring to serving others, Deviney said. Together, we are making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families facing childhood cancer.

The foundations broader mission: fighting cancer and feeding the hungry

Founded in 2014 by Kevin and Stacy Brown, the Chicken Salad Chick Foundation focuses on two core missions: fighting cancer and feeding the hungry. Since launching in 2017, the foundation has donated more than $2 million to support pediatric cancer research and address food insecurity in local communities.

The brand itself has grown to more than 335 restaurants across 22 states, giving campaigns like Cookies for a CURE a national platformand turning small guest choices into a measurable annual impact.

What to watch for

Cookies for a CURE is set to return this September, again aligning with Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. For guests, its a familiar way to participate: order cookies, support families, and help fund research aimed at improving outcomes for kids facing cancer.

For more information, visit www.chickensaladchick.com and www.curechildhoodcancer.org.

Advertisement

At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.

Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience. https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink/

Want more stories that spotlight the people, places, and moments shaping our neighborhoods? Visit STM Daily News’ community section, The Bridge, for fresh local features, community voices, and impact-driven coverage: https://stmdailynews.com/the-bridge/