Drive to End Hunger launches 2013 season in Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – AARP and AARP Foundation are launching the third season of Drive to End Hunger in NASCAR with exciting new opportunities for fans to engage in the fight against older adult hunger, as well as innovative solutions to help the nearly nine million older Americans who struggle to put food on the table.

“The Gen-6 cars aren’t the only new things at the tracks this year,” said Jo Ann Jenkins, AARP Foundation president.  “NASCAR fans have shown us their compassion and commitment over and over, so we’re offering new ways for them to help older Americans who struggle with hunger every day in communities across the country.”

This week, Drive to End Hunger is rolling into Daytona International Speedway (DIS) with its new mobile display, which will appear at select tracks throughout the season.  The “Drive to End Hunger Experience” will offer fans the chance to play live trivia games and win a variety of fun prizes.

Throughout the season, Drive to End Hunger also will offer fans opportunities to share stories of older adult hunger in their communities, demonstrate their fanaticism for the No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet SS and win the chance to connect directly with four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon. Connect with us on Twitter at @Drive2EndHunger and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DriveToEndHunger.

As part of its 2013 season launch, Drive to End Hunger is hosting a two-day food packing event at the “Drive to End Hunger Experience” mobile display at DIS.  Twenty-five fans will be able to volunteer for one-hour shifts on Friday, Feb. 22, and Sat., Feb. 23, where they will pack boxes of food to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.  Space is limited, so interested fans should visit the “Drive to End Hunger Experience” display to learn more.

“I’ve been blown away by the heart and generosity of NASCAR fans who have volunteered their time, reached for their wallets, or texted donations to help people put food on the table,” said Gordon, driver of the No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet SS for Hendrick Motorsports.  “I’m looking forward to seeing them again this year helping others, having fun, and maybe winning a few prizes along the way.”

Drive to End Hunger is the national effort by AARP and AARP Foundation to help the millions of older Americans who face hunger across the United States. Drive to End Hunger is not only raising awareness of the problem, but also the funds to fight it.  Drive to End Hunger engages corporate sponsors and individuals across the country, as well as funds innovative programs with promising results that can be applied elsewhere to prevent hunger.  

Hendrick Motorsports joined with AARP and AARP Foundation in a multi-year agreement to make Drive to End Hunger the first cause-based primary sponsor in NASCAR.  The 2013 season will be the third in which Gordon will drive the No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet SS in 22 races, including the Daytona 500. 

Since AARP and AARP Foundation launched Drive to End Hunger, it has donated nearly 16 million meals and driven corporate and individual donor commitments with an expected value of $18.1 million.  All contributions to Drive to End Hunger go to support the hunger solutions of AARP Foundation.  

To learn more, please visit www.DriveToEndHunger.org.