News Summary
River Street Sweets in Savannah will celebrate National Pralines Day from June 24 to June 28, aiming to donate over 112,000 meals to hungry children in partnership with Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia. The event includes praline sales, activities, and special guest appearances, while donations will support the local Kids Cafe program providing nutritious meals during the summer months. Participants can also enter the Golden Ticket Summer Sweetstakes for a chance to win a vacation in Savannah.
Savannah – River Street Sweets is set to celebrate National Pralines Day on June 24, 2025, marking the ninth consecutive year of this sweet tribute with an ambitious goal of donating over 112,000 meals to hungry children in need. This year’s target represents a 10% increase from last year’s impressive total of 100,000 meals.
The donation initiative is a collaborative effort with Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia, which River Street Sweets has been partnering with since 2016. The contributions will benefit the local Kids Cafe program, which provides children with nutritious meals during the summer months when school is out and access to food is often limited.
Throughout the celebration, which runs from June 24 to June 28, River Street Sweets will contribute proceeds from praline sales at its retail locations and online. Specifically, for every $1 donated, approximately five meals can be provided to local children. Additional opportunities for donations include cash contributions in store and online, which will be accepted through July 31. Customers can also choose to round up their purchases at participating locations to directly funnel additional donations to Kids Cafe, or they can provide contributions through the company’s website, riverstreetsweets.com.
In an effort to enhance community involvement, the National Pralines Day festivities will take place at the River Street Sweets store on Broughton Street in Savannah from noon to 3 PM on June 24. The event promises to be lively with activities including balloons, giveaways, candy sampling, and special tee-shirts featuring Pete the Cat, created by children’s author James Dean.
Adding excitement to the occasion, local celebrity guests will participate as praline dippers. Notable figures include Davy, the mascot of the Ghost Pirates ice hockey team, WSAV’s Tina Tyus Shaw, Mary Jane Crouch of Second Harvest, and Shirley Jenkins, recognized as River Street Sweets’ first “candy girl.” Additionally, co-owner Tim Strickland along with Savannah Mayor Van Johnson is expected to be present to support the initiative.
A special attraction at the event is the “Golden Ticket Summer Sweetstakes,” where attendees have the chance to win a three-day, two-night vacation in Savannah, complete with dinner and a historic walking tour. U.S. residents aged 21 and older can enter without making a purchase; they can submit entries by scanning a QR code located at donation boxes, via online orders, or through a link printed on store receipts. However, employees of River Street Sweets and its franchisees are excluded from the sweepstakes.
In light of the ongoing challenges families face during the summer regarding food access, co-owner Jennifer Strickland emphasized the significance of giving back to the community. This year, the goal of 112,000 meals aims to help alleviate hunger among local children who need it most.
For further information on the National Pralines Day event, including details on the donation process and participation, interested individuals are encouraged to visit the official website at riverstreetsweets.com.
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Additional Resources
- Savannah Business Journal: Savannah’s Original Candy Store Pledges 112,000 Meals for Kids
- Wikipedia: Praline
- WSAV: Savannah’s Candy Kitchen’s Founders Day to Benefit Local Children
- Google Search: National Pralines Day
- WJCL: Savannah’s Candy Kitchen Makes Huge Donation to Charity
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Feeding America
- Savannah Business Journal: Savannah’s Candy Kitchen to Celebrate Founder’s Day
- Google News: Feeding Children in Summer
Author: STAFF HERE SAVANNAH WRITER
SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER The SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESavannah.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Savannah, Chatham County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Savannah Music Festival, St. Patrick's Day Parade, and Savannah Jazz Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Coastal Empire, plus leading businesses in aerospace, education, and logistics that power the local economy such as Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah College of Art and Design, and Colonial Group. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HEREAugusta.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
