Butterball and DHL, long-time sponsors and partners with Ryan Hunter-Reay and Andretti Autosport, recently joined forces with driver and team to donate food to the Midwest Food Bank, which helps collect and distribute food donations to not-for-profit organizations in an effort to alleviate food shortages.
As part of a tradition that dates back to 2014, the 2017 iteration gathered at an Indianapolis Kroger and helped distribute over 700 turkeys and 1,000 boxes of stuffing to a number of missions supported by Midwest Food Bank.
The combined effort was able to distribute food to such organizations Wheeler Mission, St. Vincent de Paul, Westminster Neighborhood Services, Damar Academy and Mary Rigg Community Center, all organizations based in the Indianapolis area.
“We’ve been doing this since 2014 in honor of our Indianapolis 500 win,” Hunter-Reay said of the effort. “This year Butterball has increased the number from 500 to over 700 turkeys distributed. Butterball has supplied the turkeys and DHL hopped on board for the logistics side of it. It’s great to see the Andretti Autosport partners coming together to give back to this community that gives so much to us. I’m happy to be here giving back to the community and happy to be a part of everything that both Butterball and DHL stand for.”
Kerry Doughty, Butterball CEO, added that being able to help those in need is a driving value behind the Butterball brand. “At Butterball, giving back to those in need in the communities where our employees are based is part of our core values, and partnering with Andretti Autosport and Kroger allows us to fulfill Ryan Hunter-Reay’s desire to do the same. As a native Hoosier, this is an event I look forward to every year, because this community means so much to me. We hope each turkey is a bright spot in someone’s Thanksgiving this year.”
Christine Nashick, Chief Marketing Officer for DHL Espress Americas, asserted similar thoughts and was more than happy to support the effort.
“We are fortunate to work with great community partners like our DHL-sponsored Andretti Autosport team and Butterball, to help bring a festive Thanksgiving holiday to those in need,” she expressed. “This time of year especially, DHL works to deliver happiness to those who need a little help to truly enjoy the holidays. We are thankful to the many communities we serve, and this is one way we can show our appreciation.”
