Red Lobster 1999 Annual Report Download - page 23

Corporate Responsibility
44
Community involvement is a hallmark of our Company’s
heritage and culture. We’ve positioned this information
here — next to the “numbers” — because we know it’s
equally important to our investors. When guests dine in
our restaurants, they buy more than a great meal; they
also “buy” our corporate ethics. As we see it, it’s our
responsibility to enhance the quality of life in the commu-
nities where we do business, by working to practice and
celebrate diversity and by supporting and funding
programs that promote arts and culture, education,
social services, nutrition and the environment.
Historically, we’ve discovered that economies of scale
are greatly heightened whenever community involvement
efforts extend from the hands-on “sweat equity” of our
employees. For that reason, many projects benefit from
a combination of contributions from Darden Restaurants
Foundation, Darden Environmental Trust, corporate giving,
restaurant giving and employee volunteerism. The result
is more philanthropic “bang for the buck,” and a greater,
lasting impact. Our philosophy is clear: targeted, innova-
tive philanthropic and community involvement is good
for business. And to that end, we’ve made a long-term
commitment to fulfill that mission — for our guests,
employees, investors and communities.
Because this philosophy is such an important part of how
we do business, we want to introduce you to some key
projects that illustrate that philosophy in action:
Investing in the Community
Orlando Science Center
This state-of-the-art facility offers affordable science-
oriented educational programs and wholesome
activities for families and children. This year, the Darden
Restaurants Foundation contributed the last payment on
our $1 million contribution toward the completion of the
Orlando Science Center’s 250-seat Darden Adventure
Theater — our largest commitment ever. The theater
provides a dramatic setting for big-bang, interactive
science demonstrations, and is the home of OSC’s
Einstein Players. Full theatrical techniques, scenery,
special effects and large-scale props are used to engage
visitors in the exploration of science. The theater will
serve as a gem in the community for years to come.
United Arts of Central Florida
Our long-standing commitment to this innovative umbrella
agency, which provides core support to several arts and
cultural organizations, nurtures a thriving local arts
community. Darden contributed $100,000 to UA, whose
beneficiaries include the Orlando Opera, the Orlando-UCF
Shakespeare Festival, The Southern Ballet Theatre and the
Florida Children’s Repertory Theatre.
ABC TV – 9 Family Connection
In partnership with the ABC affiliate in Central Florida,
WFTV Channel 9 and three additional locally based com-
panies, Darden Restaurants sponsors the 9 Family
Connection
— a series of community-based promotions
and activities. Thanks to concerted efforts and prominent
exposure, successful events such as blood drives, Toys for
Tots and Taste of the Nation have provided support to the
Central Florida community.
CITE — The Center for Independence,
Technology and Education
A unique organization catering to the needs of multi-
handicapped children and newly blind adults, CITE
programs teach the skills required to meet the chal-
lenges of everyday life and to enhance and maximize
individual performance. The Darden Restaurants
Foundation helped provide $25,000 in essential
operating support for the center.
Pasta for Pennies
Through Olive Garden’s Pasta for Pennies program, school
children across the United States helped collect pennies
— totaling more than $3 million — for the Leukemia
Society of America.
Drive Against Hunger
Olive Garden kicked off its “Drive Against Hunger”
program in 1999. This innovative effort supports U.S.
food banks, such as the Second Harvest Food Bank
network. The program is linked to Olive Garden’s
sponsorship of Doyle-Risi Racing, the 1996 World Sports
Car Championship Team that enters its two Ferrari 333SP
sports cars in American LeMans Series Championship
races around the nation. When the series held a race in
Atlanta this spring, for instance, Olive Garden donated a
24-foot refrigerated truck and 500 cases of food to the
Atlanta Community Food Bank, and provided more than
200 meals to needy families in the area. The new truck will
allow the food bank to collect and distribute much-needed
fresh foods within the Atlanta community.
A $1 million contribution to the Orlando Science Center helped
create the Darden Adventure Theater, a 250-seat auditorium where
the Center holds interactive science demonstrations and other
entertaining educational programs.