Why the Kalamazoo Hot Dog Walk Means So Much to Me
There are so many moments in life that remind me just how blessed I am — and one of the biggest is realizing I never have to wonder where my next meal is coming from.
That’s something I never want to take for granted.
Building my YouTube communities through Intermittent Fasting Foodie and Grocery Addict has completely changed my life. What started as simply sharing my love of food, grocery finds, and intermittent fasting has grown into something I could never have imagined. Because of your support, I’m able to help contribute financially to my family, create content I genuinely enjoy, and make a living talking about food freedom, joy, and balance.
But the more I’ve experienced that freedom, the more I’ve realized something important:
Food freedom is a privilege.
And because I’ve been blessed, I truly believe it’s my responsibility to be a blessing to others.
Why I Love the Kalamazoo Hot Dog Walk
A few years ago, I stumbled across the Kalamazoo Hot Dog Walk while reading online, and immediately, I was interested.
If you know me at all, you know this was basically made for me.
I love hot dogs.
From novelty hot dog accessories, to hot dog festivals, to celebrating milestones with a classic New York City hot dog — it’s become a running joke in my life at this point. So naturally, a community event centered around hot dogs instantly caught my attention.
But once I started learning more about the event, I realized it was about something so much bigger.
The mission of the Kalamazoo Hot Dog Walk is to raise awareness and money for people experiencing food insecurity right here in Kalamazoo. Participants travel around the community visiting several local restaurants and businesses, enjoying different hot dogs while supporting an incredible cause.
And the best part?
The event benefits Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes — an organization doing truly life-changing work for families and individuals in our community.
Why This Cause Matters to Me
I spend a lot of time talking about enjoying food, finding peace with eating, and embracing flexibility through intermittent fasting. I love sharing fun grocery finds, seasonal treats, and meals I genuinely enjoy.
But the reality is that many people — not just in Kalamazoo, but everywhere — don’t have consistent access to food.
That reality is heartbreaking.
One of the reasons I admire Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes so much is because they provide comprehensive support for people facing food insecurity. Every dollar donated helps provide meals to those in need, and the impact is truly significant.
This year, I’m incredibly honored to once again sponsor the Hot Dog Walk through my channels.
No matter what, I am personally donating $500 directly to Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes.
That base donation alone will help provide approximately 1,500 meals to people in our community — and thanks to any additional donations, that number will only continue to grow.
That is powerful.
Thank You for Helping Me Give Back
One thing I really want you to know is this:
Your support of my channels is what allows me to do things like this.
Every view, comment, share, subscription, and interaction helps create opportunities for generosity. Without this community, I simply wouldn’t be in a position to contribute in the way I can today.
So truly — thank you.
I never want this platform to be *only* about income or views. I want it to be something meaningful. I want my kids to grow up seeing generosity in action. I want to use this space for something bigger than myself.
And that’s why this event means so much to me.
Elsie & I Are Walking Again This Year ❤️
This year marks my third year sponsoring the Kalamazoo Hot Dog Walk, and Elsie and I are so excited to participate again next week.
One of my favorite parts of this tradition is experiencing it together. We’ve had so much fun over the years exploring local businesses, trying unique hot dogs, and connecting with our community.
Last year we weren’t able to attend because I was chaperoning Elsie’s Washington D.C. school trip, but we still proudly sponsored the event. This year, we’re thrilled to be back in person.
And yes… I will absolutely be fasting beforehand so I can fully enjoy all the hot dogs. 😂
If You’d Like to Help
If you feel moved to support this cause, any additional donation will go directly toward increasing the total amount donated to Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes.
This does not replace or offset my $500 donation in any way — every additional dollar simply adds more meals for people in need.
Venmo: @jackielayne (or see QR Code)
PayPal: mittenadservices@gmail.com
Together, we can make an even bigger impact.
You can learn more about the event here:
👉 Kalamazoo Hot Dog Walk Website
And learn more about the incredible work being done by:
Thank you for supporting my channels, supporting this mission, and helping me use this platform to give back to the community that means so much to me. ❤️
