Busy season is here. And at GTN, that means tax forms, deadlines, and a little extra facial hair and flair.
GTN’s 13th annual Beards and Braids for Busy Season (BBFBS) campaign is officially underway, and once again we are turning a demanding time of year into an opportunity to do some real good. BBFBS is more than a tradition. It is a chance to come together, have a little fun, and make a meaningful impact in the communities we serve.
Since launching BBFBS in 2013, GTN employees, friends, and families have embraced the spirit of the campaign by growing beards, braiding hair, sparking conversations, and most importantly, raising funds for incredible causes. Over the past 12 years, BBFBS has raised more than $51,000 for non-profit organizations such as Canines for Disabled Kids, International Rescue Committee, No Kid Hungry, and The Malala Fund.
This year, we are proud to take that energy and direct it toward an urgent, human cause: the fight against food insecurity.
For the 2026 BBFBS campaign, GTN is honored to support Move For Hunger, a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to reducing food waste and fighting food insecurity by delivering surplus food from people on the move to communities in need.
Founded in 2009, Move For Hunger has provided more than 62 million meals by mobilizing the leaders across the moving, multifamily, and relocation industries. Their model is simple, practical, and powerful. When people move, extra food does not have to go to waste. Instead, it can go to families who need it most.
Move For Hunger addresses a critical and alarming reality. Close to 40% of food produced in the US is wasted each year. At the same time, over 47 million Americans face hunger each day, including 1 in 5 children.
By connecting surplus food with communities in need, Move For Hunger offers a practical and sustainable solution to this inexcusable paradox. Food that might otherwise be thrown away is instead recovered and delivered to families who need it most. It is a simple idea with a powerful impact.
Food insecurity affects more than empty stomachs. It can shape health, education, and opportunity for years to come.
Children who experience hunger are more likely to struggle academically, miss school due to illness, and fall behind their peers. Research shows that 46% of students from low-income households say hunger impacts their academic performance, and three out of four teachers report seeing students come to school hungry on a regular basis. When hunger affects children during their formative years, the consequences can last a lifetime.
Adults facing food insecurity are also at greater risk for chronic health conditions, including diabetes and obesity. Many are uninsured or forced to pay medical costs out-of-pocket, which can deepen cycles of financial instability. When hunger goes unaddressed, entire communities feel the strain, from workforce limitations to overburdened healthcare and education systems.
Move For Hunger helps to reduce these impacts by delivering immediate relief while also advocating for long-term solutions, such as:
By supporting Move For Hunger through GTN's 2026 BBFBS campaign, you help turn surplus food into reliable nourishment for families and individuals across the country. Every dollar donated supports the recovery and delivery of meals where they are needed most.
Here’s the tangible impact your support can make:
Please consider donating to Move For Hunger today. 100% of the funds raised through GTN’s 13th annual BBFBS campaign will go directly to Move For Hunger and the communities they serve.
The 2026 BBFBS campaign will run through April 15, 2026, aligning with the US tax filing deadline. GTN employees, families, and friends are encouraged to participate in whatever way feels right.
That might mean growing a beard, braiding your hair, spreading the word, making a donation, or supporting the campaign in more than one way. Every action helps move the mission forward.
As we kick off another Beards and Braids for Busy Season, we invite your continued support this year as we work together to fight hunger, reduce food waste, and build stronger, healthier communities.
Thank you to everyone who has supported these campaigns over the years. Your generosity has fueled meaningful change, year after year.