It was so successful, we’re doing it again.
The second annual Restock the Shelves, a food bank initiative co-sponsored by Ante Up and Blue Shark Optics, will be Jan. 18 at casinos and other poker venues across North America.
“Last year, we, and you, exceeded our expectations and made this event a truly worthy event. Poker rooms and other venues participated and raised a great amount of food that went to feed those who needed it. The poker community demonstrated, one more time, that it cares,” Kerry Karoutsos, founder of Blue Shark Optics, said of the event that collected enough food and cash to feed an estimated 43,660 people in the United States and Canada. “We hope that our second event will surpass last year’s results and we will once again be able to contribute along with you and Ante Up Magazine.”
Restock the Shelves is simple in design for good reason, the sole goal is to feed as many people as possible through the generosity of the poker community. Poker rooms and venues across the United States and Canada agree to designate one of their existing tournaments on Jan. 18, or run some other food collection event on that day or as often as they wish. All food and money collected from players goes directly to a food organization chosen by each participating property, so the players who come out to support the events are helping people close to home.
“It was truly humbling for us, seeing so many poker rooms and poker players taking a chance on a new event,” said Scott Long of Ante Up Poker Media. “Many rooms and venues went above and beyond, offering extra incentives to get players to be as generous as possible, including giving them extra tournament chips or entering donors in special drawings or raffles. Derby Lane in St. Petersburg even awarded an Ante Up Poker Cruise package to one generous player.”
Blue Shark Optics and Ante Up seek volunteers to represent the companies at events to help poker rooms get the word out and run terrific events. Many poker companies last time also donated prizes. If you’re interested in hosting a Restock event in your poker venue, volunteering for Team Ante Up or Team Blue Shark Optics, donating prizes or just coming out to play, more information can be found at anteupmagazine.com/restock.
“Our team members will again be involved and so will our Blue Shark Brigade,” Karoutsos said. “I would like to invite all to contribute toward this event, in any capacity possible.”
