September 30, 2024 – Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland (FAKH), a member of the Feeding America® network, is excited to announce the arrival of a new refrigerated truck and an additional $10,800 in operating support. The Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation – the charitable arm of Darden Restaurants – and Penske collaborated on this opportunity to help support communities that are disproportionately impacted by hunger.
These donations will be used to further support FAKH’s work to provide equitable access to nutritious food across its 42 county region.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation and Penske for this generous support,” said Charles Dennis, Executive Director of FAKH. “This new refrigerated truck and additional funding will greatly enhance our ability to distribute fresh, nutritious food to families across our service area. Their commitment to fighting hunger, which extends throughout the country, helps us make a significant impact on hunger here in our community.”
FAKH is one of 10 Feeding America partner food bank that the Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation and Penske are supporting through this grant. In the past four years, 45 trucks have been added to the fleets of 45 food banks through donations from Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation. Each 26-foot refrigerated box truck can transport 12,000 pounds of food at a time.
“Hunger remains a widespread issue that touches lives in every corner of our country. At Darden and the Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation, we believe in taking action to make a difference. By partnering with Feeding America member food banks, we’re not just raising awareness – we’re providing the resources needed to help families access the food they deserve,” says Stephanie Ghertner, Executive Director of the Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation.
About Darden Restaurants and The Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation
Darden’s family of restaurants features some of the most recognizable and successful brands in full-service dining – Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Yard House, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, The Capital Grille, Seasons 52, Eddie V’s and Bahama Breeze. For more information, visit www.darden.com
The Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation works to bring to life our spirit of service through its philanthropic support of charitable organizations across the country. Since 1995, the Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation has awarded more than $110 million in grants to non-profit organizations such as Feeding America, National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) and American Red Cross.