Oct. 26, 2023 – The Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation has donated a refrigerated truck and $20,000 to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. The Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation, the charitable arm of Darden Restaurants, Lineage Logistics and Penske collaborated on the donation to help support communities disproportionately impacted by hunger.

“Oklahoma consistently ranks as one of the hungriest states in the nation and the Regional Food Bank’s network of partner agencies continue to report a rise in the need for food assistance over the past year,” said Stacy Dykstra, chief executive officer of the Regional Food Bank. “We are proud to partner with the Darden Restaurants Foundation for this important donation to help increase access to food across central and western Oklahoma.”

The 26-foot refrigerated truck can transport up to 12,000 pounds of food per trip. The truck will bolster the Regional Food Bank’s fleet of vehicles by picking up surplus food at retail partners for the Regional Food Bank Food & Resource Center.

“Families face hunger in every community across the country; your neighbor, a child’s classmate or even a co-worker may be struggling to get enough to eat. Darden and the Darden Restaurants Foundation are proud to partner with Feeding America member food banks to address the significant issue of hunger in a tangible and meaningful way,” says Stephanie Ghertner, executive director of the Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation.