To support Hunger Awareness Month, Redken 5th Avenue NYC teamed up with Essie to host the Trim Hunger Cut-A-Thon at the Redken Exchange on Thursday, September 10, benefitting City Harvest, the world’s first food rescue organization dedicated to helping feed the nearly 1.4 million New Yorkers facing hunger. The event raised a grand total of $16,310 for City Harvest in just 5.5 hours ($3,000 per hour). A team of 65 volunteers and top Redken stylists gave haircuts, blowouts, and braids to 90 guests from Manhattan to Milwaukee, while Essie, also a sponsor of the event, gave guests “orange thumbie” manicures in their Roarrrrange shade as a symbol of support in the fight against hunger.
Trim Hunger is the most recent non-profit endeavor of Redken stylist Josif Wittnik, owner ofSalon CTI and Day Spaand The Salon Professional Academy in Appleton, WI. Following a local project to help feed families in need in his community, Josif developed Trim Hunger to raise awareness for the cause and feed the hungry on a national level. “I am so proud that Josif, who has been with the Redken family for more than 20 years, is the visionary behind such an important event that will help feed the 49 million people who go hungry every year, which is a number that is hard to even fathom,” says Leslie Marino, general manager for Redken US. “I’m so glad and so proud that the Redken family came together with the community to support such a great cause. That’s what helps makes this industry so special. Everyone wants to give back so badly and has such a big heart.”
At the end of the month, The Salon Professional Academies (TSPAs) will attempt to break the Guinness Book of World Records’ existing record for the most people cutting hair at the same time when 22 Trim Hunger Cut-A-Thons will be held simultaneously across the nation. To learn more about the Trim Hunger Cut-A-Thon or to make an online donation, which will be immediately put to work to help put food it in the hands of hungry New Yorkers, visit www.redken.com/whats-hot/trim-hunger/or www.trimhunger.com.