The food aid non-profit TABLE in Carrboro recently earned a grant from the Jimmie Johnson Foundation and ice cream maker Blue Bunny.

The popular NASCAR driver’s organization announced five recipients of the 2020 Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope grants on Thursday, awarding TABLE $25,000. Other non-profits that won included groups based in New York City, Chicago, Sioux City and Atlanta.

TABLE was selected from ten semi-finalists and chosen over a week of public voting. Organizers said the Carrboro group received more than 31,000 votes from community members and people across the nation.

“We are so excited to be a recipient of this year’s Jimmie Johnson Foundation’s Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope,” said TABLE Executive Director Ashton Tippins in a release. “We are currently feeding over 670 children every week in Orange County, NC and we anticipate that number to grow as school begins. This grant will allow us to support that growth and deliver an additional 10,250 snacks and meals to the kids we serve. The support from our community has been overwhelming and this is another example of their commitment to helping ensure our kids receive equal access to healthy, fresh and nutritious food.” 

According to the Jimmy Johnson Foundation, the Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope program invites fans and consumers across the country to nominate not-for-profit organizations that specifically support K-12 public education. This year, the nomination process for grants was expanded to include non-profits that have been directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, the Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope program has contributed more than $1.3 million to 121 different charities.

In addition to a $25,000 grant, each of the five recipient organizations will receive a Blue Bunny Ice Cream party and special recognition on Johnson’s race helmet during a NASCAR Cup Series race this season.

“There are so many deserving organizations and now more than ever, they need our help,” wrote Johnson in a release. “These grants are one small way we can help make a difference. [My wife] Chani and I appreciate the partnership that we have had with Blue Bunny over the years. This program has not only brought some needed funding to various organizations but a little recognition as well, with their names on my helmet. It’s also brought a little fun, because, let’s be honest, who doesn’t love an ice cream party?”

TABLE was founded in 2008 and is currently feeding 730 children on average every week. More information about the organization’s hunger relief and nutrition education programs can be found on their website.

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