Austin, TX, September 16, 2019 – The Central Texas Food Bank announced today a $24,000 grant from The Darden Foundation to help provide hunger relief to Central Texas families. The funds will be used to provide nutritious grocery staples and fresh produce to those in need in the Food Bank’s 21-county service area.
“One in seven people struggle with hunger in Central Texas; for children that figure is one in five,” said Derrick Chubbs, President and CEO of the Central Texas Food Bank. “We are thankful to the Darden Foundation for helping to ensure that people who struggle with hunger have access to fresh, nutritious food. This grant will go a long way in helping the Food Bank and our Partner Agencies serve our neighbors in need here in Central Texas.”
The Central Texas Food Bank, a member of the Feeding America® network, is one of 193 food banks to receive this funding from The Darden Foundation. It is projected that this grant will enable the Food Bank to fund several initiatives, including targeted programs that serve populations most vulnerable to hunger. The Food Bank’s Mobile Food Pantry and the Fresh Food for Families programs bring fresh produce directly to those who live in remote areas where food assistance is limited. Kids Cafe®, BackPack, and the Healthy Options Program for the Elderly (HOPE) provide nutritious food on a regular basis for children and older adults
The Darden Foundation is committed to supporting families facing food insecurity in communities across the United States. Their commitment to help is demonstrated through their partnership with Feeding America and their network of 200 food banks across the nation. Locally, two members of the Darden Restaurants family – The Capital Grille and Eddie V’s Prime Seafood – also support the Central Texas Food Bank through their participation in Austin Restaurant Weeks.
Feeding America has worked alongside The Darden Foundation for seven years in the fight to end hunger. Thanks to their ongoing support, the Feeding America network has been able to help provide even more meals to families in need.
To learn more about the Central Texas Food Bank, visit centraltexasfoodbank.org.
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ABOUT DARDEN RESTAURANTS AND THE DARDEN FOUNDATION
Darden is a restaurant company featuring a portfolio of differentiated brands that include Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen, Yard House, The Capital Grille, Seasons 52, Bahama Breeze and Eddie V's. Our people equal our success, and we are proud to employ 185,000 team members in more than 1,700 restaurants. Together, we create memorable experiences for nearly 400 million guests each year in communities across North America. The Darden Foundation works to bring to life our spirit of service through its philanthropic support of charitable organizations across the country. Since 1995, The Darden Foundation has awarded more than $90 million in grants to non-profit organizations such as Feeding America, National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) and American Red Cross. For more information, please visit www.darden.com.
