Inside a small kitchen in Lexington, Kentucky, Adam Dahl films social media videos while packing orders, dancing, and lip-syncing to alternative rock. Behind him, trays of fudge cool on the counter and chocolate melts on the stove. He’s not simply creating lighthearted content; the approachable tone is intentional. Each 60–second TikTok video generates revenue that supports his charitable work, and 100 percent of what he earns goes toward a cause close to his heart.
Dahl is the owner of Dahlhus Fudge, a small-batch shop using its online platform to raise awareness about Kentucky’s staggering $110 million school lunch debt. Many families do not qualify for free or discounted meals, leaving children with account balances that can lead to stigma, bullying, or even being barred from school activities. Funds earned through Dahl’s TikTok go directly to his nonprofit, which donates to local schools to pay off those unpaid balances. He and his viewers also support classrooms by purchasing and donating supplies. What began as making fudge for teachers and selling it at farmers’ markets quickly grew into a storefront and an opportunity to make a meaningful difference.
The spark to give back came after Dahl watched a video from fellow creator Lomax the Lorax, who announced he was donating his TikTok earnings to help pay off school lunch debt. Inspired, Dahl decided to do the same. He partnered with the Bluegrass Community Foundation to create The Dahlhus Fund, and since its launch, he and his supporters have raised more than $30,000, providing nearly 60,000 meals for struggling students.
Dahl realized he could make a living, help others, and stay true to himself by creating the perfect philanthropic recipe: humor plus activism. His content leans on what he calls “dancing (badly), dad jokes, and fudge shop life.” In an interview with Beyondish, Dahl explains, “I have always said in my videos that you get 100 percent authentically me. I am usually joyful and don’t take myself too seriously. I make fudge professionally. It’s not that serious.” That sincerity pulls viewers in. Every view, interaction, and donation helps fight childhood hunger.
Although the scale of school lunch debt is daunting, Dahl remains focused on helping as many families in his neighborhood as possible. “The thought of anyone in that building not being able to afford lunch – no matter the circumstance – really bothers me,” he says. He wants to support whoever needs it, without hesitation. “No questions asked. No judgement. No second thought. We’re all in this together, and we don’t make it out without each other. No child should be hungry or feel less than for circumstances out of their control.”
To him, the issue is straightforward. “It’s simple. We want our test scores to go up and our kids to get a good education. Start by cutting out distractions like the hunger, shame, and anxiety that comes with having lunch debt in our public schools. Lunch DEBT? For children? Are we serious?” He knows it’s a delicate topic that can spark political debates, so he works steadfastly behind the scenes — submitting grants, dropping off donations, and helping wherever he can without fanfare. What matters most is ensuring no child goes hungry.
Overall, the response has been overwhelmingly positive, with many eager to support his work. As his online presence grows, so does his business. For the holiday season, Dahlhus Fudge released an Advent calendar and sold more than 600, up from 175 the year before. With such a small team, the workload was enormous. He put out a call for help and the community showed up. “Every day for the past week my shop has been filled with dozens of volunteers (3–4 at a time since my shop is so small) wrapping fudge, folding boxes, putting orders together,” he says. “They’re doing it all out of support for me and my shop. This is a mess I got myself into and the community doesn’t owe me anything, but they’re still stepping up to help anyway.” This highlights how generosity often comes full circle.
Dahl has no intention of slowing down. Running a small business in the current climate is challenging, but he stays grounded by drawing inspiration from his family, especially his late father, who passed away in 2022. His dad’s personal mantra has become the shop’s mission statement: “Spread the message, not the mess.” It’s the guiding principle behind Dahl’s work, prioritizing the well-being of students over the policies that complicate the issue. He plans to open a larger shop someday, complete with a mural bearing that quote. For now, he will continue supporting his community and doing his part to ensure no child goes hungry.
To support Dahl’s efforts, donations can be made through The Dahlhus Fund, and classroom supplies can be purchased through his Amazon Wishlist.
AUTHOR
Meet Becca, a delectable combination of food enthusiast, intrepid traveler, humorous soul, and wordsmith extraordinaire. With a passport in one hand and a fork in the other, she embarks on adventures, savors cuisines, and collects witty anecdotes. She works in media and is a freelance writer.
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