NASCAR Foundation joins summer-long food drive

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The NASCAR Foundation has joined forces with Feeding America, the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity, for a summer-long food drive with a goal to provide 350,000 meals in 2009 to children and their families in need.

In partnership with Feeding America, the NASCAR Foundation has created several opportunities for fans to join these efforts including a Track Walk at Chicagoland Speedway and the online virtual food drive conducted throughout the summer Sprint Cup Series season.

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Receiving proper nutrition is critical to the growth and development of a child. Approximately 17.9 million low-income children received free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program last year, but just 2 million of those children participated in the Summer Food Service Program that provides food to children during the summer months when the school session is out. As a result, the need at local food banks during these months increases.

The online virtual food drive begins this week and runs through Aug. 31. Create an online "Foodraising" page and set goals for number of meals raised. Friends and family members can track an individual's progress at his or her personal food drive page, which allows users to do photo uploads, personalized messages and a goal tracker. Participants who raise a minimum of $30 will receive a "Walking the Walk to End Children's Hunger" T-shirt.

NASCAR fans can also participate in the NASCAR Foundation Hunger Walk for Kids presented by Hock Foods held at 8 a.m. on July 11 at Chicagoland Speedway. The NASCAR Foundation Track Walk will give fans the unique opportunity to walk a lap around the track prior to that evening's race.

Registration for the event is $30 online (until July 8) or $35 at the track. Children 14 and under may walk for free with a registered adult. All participants who register online will receive a "Walking the Walk to End Children's Hunger" T-shirt and will automatically be set up to participate in the virtual food drive. T-shirts also will be available for at-track registrants while supplies last.

Fund-raisers who collect $500 or more in donations will receive a VIP tour at the track on July 11 and the top fund-raiser will receive a pace-car ride from a track official around Chicagoland Speedway after the walk.

Proceeds from all of these initiatives will go to benefit the NASCAR Foundation and Feeding America. To get started today or to learn more, visit the NASCAR Foundation.