Hunger exists in every community in the U.S. and partners like the Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation (Darden Foundation) provide critical support to help Feeding America bolster food distribution to reach neighbors in communities facing the greatest need.
Over the course of its partnership with Feeding America, which began in 2012, the Darden Foundation, a Feeding America Leadership Partner, has invested more than $20 million in our mission to end hunger in the U.S.
Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Darden Restaurants, whose brands include Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Yard House, Ruth's Chris Steak House, and more.
In addition to tremendous financial support, the Darden Foundation is an instrumental partner in building network capacity through the donation of refrigerated trucks, which are essential for network members to transport fresh and perishable foods more efficiently for neighbors facing hunger. Since 2021, 54 partner food banks across 23 states each have received a refrigerated truck. The truck donations are made possible by the Darden Foundation and support from Penske Truck Leasing.
“Collaboration allows us to have a far greater impact,” said Stephanie Ghertner, Executive Director of the Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation and head of community affairs for Darden Restaurants. “Our partnership with Penske and Feeding America expands the capacity of food banks to distribute millions of pounds of food to households across the country.”
More Wheels on the Road to End Hunger
This initiative launched after the Darden Foundation worked with Feeding America to design a grant program to address two critical needs facing food banks: transportation and food distribution. During the pandemic, access decreased—despite elevated need—because many neighbors facing hunger were unable or hesitant to visit food banks.
“We wanted to be part of the solution, to help households access the meals they needed,” Ghertner said. “The trucks enable food banks to meet people where they are and distribute more food safely to those who need it most.”
In 2021, the first set of trucks was delivered to five food banks; the second donation doubled to 10 trucks, and so on. Since the program’s launch, the 54 total trucks donated to date have helped members distribute more than 16 million meals to local communities. In addition, the trucks have supported over 7,600 mobile pantry programs, helping members reach nearly 870,000 neighbors facing hunger.
“We never imagined the program would be this successful,” Ghertner said. “Across Darden Restaurants, we are proud to provide food banks with trucks and operating support to serve more households facing hunger.”
Partners such as the Darden Foundation recognize that hunger doesn’t discriminate and in order to achieve food security in America, it will take all of us working together.
“Hunger affects every community where our restaurants operate, where our team members and guests live and work,” Ghertner said. “We’re committed to building communities where people can thrive, and access to nourishing food is fundamental to that effort.”
