Chris Dharod (Applebee’s and Dharod Food Foundation), Sharmila Dharod (Applebee’s and Dharod Food Foundation), Kathy Kidwell (Volunteer Coordinator at Family Gateway), Laura Hoagland (Manager of Corporate Engagement at North Texas Food Bank), Cathy Packard (Director of Development at Family Gateway), Sunil Dharod (Owner of 68 Texas Applebee’s and Dharod Food Foundation).

Texas Applebee’s restaurant owner and his family launched their food foundation during Diwali by feeding the homeless in North Texas

The Dharod family, owners of 68 Texas Applebee’s, recently launched the Dharod Food Foundation, a non-profit whose mission is to ignite passion for food culture in Texas, to bring awareness and education about nutrition and food choices, and to help battle the fight against hunger in Texas.

In partnership with North Texas Food Bank, the Dharod Family and Applebee’s volunteers hosted  and served traditional American Thanksgiving dinners to over 1,350 people in need at The Stewpot, Family Gateway and Union Gospel in Dallas in celebration of Diwali. Similar kick-off festivities occurred in Austin and Houston, providing food for over 2,000 people in need across Texas. The Dharod Food Foundation donated over $10,000 combined to North Texas Food Bank, Capital Area Food Bank and Houston Food Bank.

The North Texas Food Bank (NTBF) is a top-ranked nonprofit relief organization.  Leading the fight against hunger in our community, we distribute donated, purchased, and prepared foods through a network of more than 1,000 feeding programs and 262 Partner Agencies in 13 counties.  Since 1982, NTFB has distributed more than a half a billion pounds of food.  NTFB supports the nutritional needs of North Texans through research, education, advocacy and strategic partnerships.  In fiscal year 2013, NTFB provided access to 62 million nutritious meals.  NTFB is a member of Feeding America, a national hunger relief organization (feedingamerica.org).

Photo Credits: Jonathan Zizzo