[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 93 (Wednesday, June 26, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E981]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE TIRELESS SERVICE AND EARNEST DEDICATION OF THE DARDEN 
       FOUNDATION AND SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK OF CENTRAL FLORIDA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANIEL WEBSTER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 26, 2013

  Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to recognize the 
tireless service and earnest dedication of the Darden Foundation, the 
charitable arm of Darden Restaurants, Inc., on their awarding of over 
$200,000 during the month of April 2013 to Florida non-profit 
organizations through their Restaurant Community Grants program. The 
altruistic aspiration to improve Florida through their philanthropic 
support of charitable organizations is to be admired.
   The value of service for Darden Restaurants was defined over 40 
years ago by Darden's founder, Bill Darden, who established a culture 
that rewards caring for and responding to people. Darden's Restaurant 
Community Grants program is a local initiative which strives to make an 
impact in the communities Darden and its restaurant brands serve by 
engaging and supporting nonprofit community organizations. The Darden 
Foundation focuses its efforts on three key program areas: access to 
postsecondary education, preservation of natural resources and 
elimination of hunger. Every restaurant in the Darden family of brands 
is empowered with the opportunity to help award a $1,000 grant to 
exceptional nonprofit organizations that align with Darden's three 
areas of focus.
   In addition, it is my pleasure to recognize Second Harvest Food Bank 
of Central Florida, which has partnered with Darden in a joint effort 
to combat hunger. For nearly three decades, Second Harvest has fought 
hunger by collecting, storing and distributing donated food items to 
over 500 partnering agencies throughout six Central Florida counties. 
In partnership with Darden, Second Harvest's Food Rescue Program picks 
up prepared food items from various Central Florida Darden restaurants 
and delivers the food items to surrounding nonprofit agencies who serve 
meals to people in need. Darden has also united with Second Harvest's 
``Building Solutions to Hunger'' campaign with a leadership gift of 
$750,000 to assist Second Harvest's construction of a new facility that 
will be better equipped to meet the needs of the Central Florida 
community.
   On behalf of the citizens of Central Florida, it is my pleasure to 
recognize the selfless work of the Darden Foundation and Second Harvest 
Food Bank of Central Florida. May their example of continuous service 
and generosity inspire many to follow in their footsteps.

                          ____________________