White House culinary team member Roberto Mendoza utilized a $250,000 lottery prize from a North Carolina Education Lottery scratch-off ticket to fund over 124,000 meals for individuals facing food insecurity in North Carolina and El Salvador. The former war refugee turned his 2019 scratch-off win into a direct humanitarian campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic, fulfilling a childhood promise made during his youth in El Salvador.
From Salvadoran refugee to White House culinary team
Mendoza grew up during the Salvadoran Civil War, a conflict that lasted from 1979 to 1992 and caused severe economic disruption and food shortages. During his teenage years, Mendoza frequently went to sleep without eating. This period of extreme deprivation led him to pledge that if he ever obtained financial stability, he would dedicate his resources to preventing others from experiencing hunger.
The Salvation Army assisted Mendoza in escaping the conflict zone, facilitating his relocation to Canada. He later migrated to Los Angeles, California, where he entered the culinary industry. Over several decades, Mendoza advanced through the professional kitchen ranks to join the culinary team that prepares meals for the White House. In this capacity, he has prepared meals for five U.S. presidents: Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden.
Details of the $250,000 scratch-off win
In 2019, Mendoza purchased a ticket for the “Hit $500” scratch-off game, which is operated by the North Carolina Education Lottery. The ticket secured one of the game’s top prizes of $250,000.
While some major lottery winners prioritize personal assets or choose to conceal their identities—such as when a Maine Mega Millions winner dropped a lawsuit to protect their privacy—Mendoza used his public platform to document the impact of his prize money. His win occurred during a period where North Carolina lottery funding models were adapting to changing ticket sales trends.
Scratch-off games in North Carolina feature a variety of price points and prize structures. The North Carolina Education Lottery launches new scratch-off tickets monthly, with prize payout percentages typically ranging between 60% and 75% of total ticket sales. Top prizes can range from small cash amounts to multi-million dollar payouts, which are funded through statewide ticket sales revenues.
Funding 124,000 meals in the United States and El Salvador
Mendoza divided the net payout of his $250,000 prize between local hunger relief programs in North Carolina and international aid in his native country. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in North Carolina, Mendoza funded and coordinated the preparation of 64,000 meals. These meals targeted families, unemployed workers, and individuals facing sudden food insecurity due to pandemic-related economic lockdowns.
Mendoza allocated the remaining portion of the funding to El Salvador, where he financed 60,000 meals for low-income families in communities still recovering from long-term economic instability. This large-scale food distribution built upon Mendoza’s previous charitable efforts. Years prior to his lottery win, he organized a Thanksgiving initiative where he obtained 600 turkeys and prepared meals for approximately 10,000 immigrants and homeless individuals.
Mendoza continues to serve on the White House culinary team while managing his own commercial culinary ventures. He is currently opening Tikka Tequila, a new restaurant in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, which features a fusion menu. Chapel Hill is home to the University of North Carolina, making it a competitive culinary market where Mendoza plans to establish his latest business venture.
Taxation on North Carolina lottery prizes
Prizes awarded by the North Carolina Education Lottery are subject to compulsory state and federal tax withholdings. For any prize exceeding $5,000, the lottery administration automatically deducts these taxes before distributing the remaining funds to the winner. This reduces the final take-home lump sum significantly from the advertised jackpot amount.
The table below outlines the standard tax withholding rates applied to North Carolina lottery winnings:
| Tax Type | Withholding Rate | Application Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Income Tax | 24% | Prizes over $5,000 |
| North Carolina State Tax | 4.75% | Prizes over $5,000 |
| Total Combined Withholding | 28.75% | Automatic deduction at payout |
How to play lottery games online
While traditional scratch-off tickets require in-person purchases at authorized retail locations, many states now offer digital options for lottery draw games and instant-win options. Players can legally buy lottery tickets online to participate in major multi-state draw games like Powerball and Mega Millions. These digital platforms verify the player’s age and location to ensure compliance with state-specific lottery regulations, allowing participants to securely manage their tickets, view drawing histories, and check winning numbers.
Frequently asked questions
Which lottery game did Roberto Mendoza win?
Roberto Mendoza won a $250,000 prize playing the “Hit $500” scratch-off game, managed by the North Carolina Education Lottery.
How many meals did Mendoza fund with his lottery prize?
The lottery winnings funded a total of 124,000 meals, with 64,000 distributed in North Carolina and 60,000 distributed in El Salvador.
Which U.S. presidents has Roberto Mendoza served?
Mendoza has worked as a chef for five U.S. presidents: Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden.
Play responsibly. Lottery games are a form of entertainment, not an investment strategy. If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties with gambling, assistance is available through national helpline services.
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission on purchases made through these links.
