July 29 is National Lasagna Day

Fazoli's Donates Nine Tons of Lasagna to Feed The Children

LEXINGTON, Ky., July 26, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Lasagna, with origins that date back to the first century B.C., is a favorite dish among millions of Americans.  This popularity has earned the classic Neapolitan entree its own day of honor.  Sunday, July 29th is National Lasagna Day, and Fazoli's is celebrating by donating nine tons of lasagna to Feed The Children, a non-profit hunger relief organization.  In addition, the Italian restaurant chain is encouraging guests to stop by a Fazoli's this Sunday, order some lasagna, and make a  $1 donation to Feed The Children as part of the restaurant's Breadstick Tour.  In return, the guest will receive a coupon for $5 off any Family Meal purchase.

The nine-ton food donation equates to 37,500 lasagna serving portions.  Feed The Children will receive the lasagna at the organization's Oklahoma City cold storage distribution center.  The organization will then work with local community groups across the country to determine areas of need, and make smaller shipments of the lasagna to these locations.

Cathy Hull, Fazoli's Chief Marketing Officer, is pleased that Fazoli's is able to support such an important cause.  "Fazoli's and its vendors are committed to helping reduce childhood hunger in America," said Hull.  "There are a growing number of families today who are finding it difficult to put food on their table and Fazoli's hopes to ease that burden for some with the lasagna donation.  And based on their past generosity, we know our guests will help as well."

Kevin Hagan, CEO of Feed The Children, believes the timing was right for this donation.  "This is a tremendous commitment on the part of Fazoli's and will prevent thousands of children and families from going to bed hungry," said Hagan.  "The donation comes at a critical time for many who would otherwise face the prospect of not having anything to put on their table."

Summer is a time when childhood hunger is the greatest.  With schools out, children do not have access to school lunch assistance programs.  According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, there are as many as 16 million American children at risk of hunger.

To further help combat childhood hunger this summer, Fazoli's and Feed The Children teamed up to create the Breadstick Tour, making stops in 15 markets across the United States. In each city along the route, volunteers for Feed The Children are handing out breadsticks and flyers in downtown areas, neighborhood parks, and at local events.  The centerpiece of the tour is a uniquely wrapped Fazoli's food truck capable of making thousands of breadsticks at each stop.  The tour is currently in Lincoln, Nebraska.  Details on the tour route are available on www.facebook.com/fazolis.

An American family favorite for more than 20 years, Fazoli's is a leading next generation QSR.  With an all new premium menu and fresh restaurant design, Fazoli's is expanding in select markets throughout the country.  The restaurant chain was founded in Lexington, Kentucky back in 1989, and was acquired by Sun Capital Partners in 2006.

Since 1979, Feed The Children has consistently ranked as one of the largest international charities in the U.S., based on private, non-government support. Our mission is providing hope and resources for those without life's essentials. In FY 2011, Feed The Children distributed more than 104 million pounds of food and other essentials to children and their families in all 50 states and internationally. For more information, visit www.feedthechildren.org.

Contact:
John McCauley
Brokaw Inc. 440.263.3964  
[email protected]

SOURCE Fazoli's