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Future casino works with food bank to donate 400 turkeys to Gary residents

Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana collaborates with Food Bank of Northwest Indiana to meet needs

Information provided by Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana

GARY, Ind. (December 16, 2020) – At 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, in partnership with the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, hosted a drive-through holiday giveaway of 400 turkeys to Gary residents at the construction site of the new casino on the southwest corner of Interstate 80/94 and Burr Street in Gary.

COVID protocols were followed at event as staff members wore masks and practiced social distancing while distributing the turkeys. Recipients were asked to remain in their cars as volunteers from Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana and Food Bank of Northwest Indiana handed out the food in a drive-through set up in the parking lot of the new casino property.

Many people need help

Matt Schuffert, president of Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, said, “We recognize that local residents are experiencing a great deal of food insecurity during the coronavirus pandemic. Many people have lost their jobs due to COVID and their needs have never been greater. Hopefully, a delicious turkey will provide a little joy as a gift to our new Gary neighbors.”

Gary
Victor Garcia, CEO of the Food Bank of Northwest
Indiana (left) shakes hands with Matt Schuffert, President of Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana (right), along with Joseph
Branchik, VP of Marketing for Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana (center). (Photo: Benjamin Gonzalez, © Hard Rock International)

Since April of this year, the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana has seen the need for assistance increase by 60 percent. In 2019, the food bank distributed 6 million pounds of food for the entire year, compared with the 10 million pounds of food they have distributed so far in 2020 while responding to the COVID crisis.

“The need for donations is at an all-time high,” said Victor Garcia, CEO of the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana. “With the increased demands due to the current economic crisis, we depend on the support of partners like Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana. We truly appreciate their involvement.”

Gary
Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana bagged up 400 turkeys for a drive through food donation event in partnership with the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana. (Photo: Benjamin Gonzalez, © Hard Rock International)

People who would like to donate or volunteer to help feed the hungry can visit www.foodbanknwi.org or call 219-980-1777.

Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana

Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana’s $300 Million casino and entertainment destination will open in Spring of 2021. Hard Rock’s 200,000-square foot entertainment complex will feature over 1600 slots and 80 table games totaling more than 2,100 gaming positions. The Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana will be located adjacent to the 80/94 Burr Street Interchange in Gary, Indiana. Visit www.hardrockcasinonorthernindiana.com for more information.

Food Bank of Northwest Indiana

The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana has been leading the region’s fight against hunger since 1982 and distributes more than 5 million meals each year to hungry kids, adults, and seniors across Lake and Porter counties. Each month the Food Bank serves more than 30,000 individuals through its 100+ partner agencies and programs like Mobile Marketplace, Commodity Supplemental Food Program for seniors and the BackPack program. The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization and a member of Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization and a network of 200 food banks across the country.

Related

Hard Rock Casino
Hard Rock Casinohttps://www.hardrockcasinonorthernindiana.com/
Hard Rock Casino provides information about the variety of entertainment scheduled on their three stages. The Hard Rock Live venue seats 2,700 and hosts performances from big names in the industry. Free live performances are booked at the Hard Rock Cafe and Council Oak Bar stages on Friday and Saturday nights. Located in Gary, Indiana, Hard Rock Casino is about a six-minute drive from Lansing, Illinois.