Earnhardt family donates 75,000 meals to St. Mary’s Food Bank for 75th anniversary

The Earnhardt family marked 75 years in the Arizona auto business Wednesday with a $22,500 donation to St. Mary’s Food Bank. That is enough to cover 75,000 meals and 75,000 water bottles heading into the hottest stretch of summer.

Members of the family personally presented the check during a ceremony at St. Mary’s Volunteer Center in Phoenix, continuing what the dealership group called a series of “surprise-giving” events tied to the company’s 75th anniversary.

“It will go a long way toward meeting the extra needs caused by our extreme summers,” St. Mary’s Director of Public Relations Jerry Brown said. “Plus, it will help us fill the gap for kids who are on summer vacation and don’t have the regular meals they get at school.”

Earnhardt family says food bank donation honors company tradition

Earnhardt Auto Centers was founded in 1951 by Hal Earnhardt Jr., known widely as Tex Earnhardt, and has grown from a single dealership to 17 new car locations representing 15 brands. The family said the donation reflects the company’s longtime commitment to community giving.

“In the spirit of Tex, and to celebrate our company milestone, we are carrying on a company and family tradition of giving to the community,” said grandson Derby Earnhardt.

Several Earnhardt employees also volunteered to prepare food boxes at the facility following the ceremony.

St. Mary’s Food Bank distributed more than 102 million pounds of food last year. Brown said the timing of the donation is critical as demand rises during the summer months.

“The Earnhardt family’s gift is sure to touch the lives of many Arizona families and individuals who are struggling with food insecurity,” Brown said.

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