DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — AARP and AARP Foundation are launching the fifth season of Drive to End Hunger in NASCAR, using the groundwork of the program's previous success to build a track towards solving the threat of hunger for the long-term. With help from Jeff Gordon, four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and driver of the No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet SS for Hendrick Motorsports, AARP Foundation will increase awareness of – and support solutions to – the root causes of hunger faced by nearly 9 million Americans 50-plus.
AARP Foundation's goal is to increase the access to safe, nutritious, and affordable foods for Americans 50-plus who may face the risk of hunger. In 2015, AARP Foundation will build on gains made over the last four years of Drive to End Hunger to address the root problem of hunger. AARP Foundation is working to address the inability of many Americans to buy healthy food in their home communities, including efforts to improve the nation's food supply chain by engaging producers, distributers, and hunger relief organizations.
"Just like the rest of NASCAR nation getting ready for Daytona, the Drive to End Hunger team is excited and optimistic about the season ahead – and not just because we like Jeff's chances to win the Sprint Cup," said Lisa Marsh Ryerson, AARP Foundation president. "We have some great work coming this year that will help not only the millions of people who today face the risk of hunger, but also help eradicate that threat for millions more people moving forward."
"I understand that a lot of my fans will spend some time this year remembering all the things we've done in the past," said Gordon, who has announced that 2015 will be his last season as a full-time driver in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. "They should know, though, that I'm looking straight ahead, not just in the race to win another championship, but also in our efforts to help people who struggle to put food on their tables."
Through AARP's sponsorship of the No. 24 Chevrolet, the AARP Foundation's Drive to End Hunger program will once again offer fans the opportunity to directly engage in hunger relief efforts by participating in several meal packaging events across the country. AARP Foundation will also work to increase public understanding of older adult hunger through the release of impactful new research.
"This is a big season for some big reasons," added Ryerson. "We hope that, as people take the coming year to reflect on Jeff's achievements as a champion driver, they also appreciate all his work with Drive to End Hunger to help the fight against older adult hunger."
For more information or to get involved, please visit www.DriveToEndHunger.org. Join the conversation on Twitter by following @Drive2EndHunger and using #endhunger.