Earnhardt Family Honors 75th Anniversary With Donation of 75,000 Meals and 75,000 Water Bottles to St. Mary's Food Bank

PHOENIX, AZ / ACCESS Newswire / June 16, 2026 / Continuing a celebration of its 75^th Anniversary by way of surprise-giving to local charities, Earnhardt Auto Centers and the Earnhardt Family are donating to the St. Mary's Food Bank. The family will personally present a monetary donation at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, to cover the cost of much-needed meals and water.

"Equivalent to 75,000 meals and 75,000 water bottles, this surprise donation of $22,500 comes at the perfect time," said Jerry Brown, Director of Public Relations at St. Mary's Food Bank. "It will go a long way toward meeting the extra needs caused by our extreme summers. Plus, it will help us fill the gap for kids who are on summer vacation and don't have the regular meals they get at school!"

"In the spirit of Tex - and to celebrate our company milestone - we are carrying on a company and family tradition of giving to the community," said grandson Derby Earnhardt.

A check presentation ceremony will take place at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, June 17, inside the St Mary's Food Bank Volunteer Center, located at 2804 North 29th Avenue, Phoenix, 85009.

"Our surprise-giving to honor our 75^th anniversary is a natural extension of the company's charitable efforts," said Dodge Earnhardt. "As our business has expanded from a single car in 1951 to 17 new car dealers in 2026, our community outreach has grown along with it!"

"The 'Spirit of Tex,' is with us in all that we do at Earnhardt Auto Centers," says granddaughter Nature Earnhardt. "And, part of that spirit includes a legacy of service."

To support that sense of community service, various Earnhardt employees are also volunteering to take a shift in food-box preparation, following the donation ceremony.

For 75 years and counting, the Earnhardt family have been more than just local business owners; they have been dedicated champions for the Phoenix community. Moving past the dealership floor, the family invests deeply in the region through both generous financial backing and active, hands-on service.

"Tex was the first to remind us that our success is due to the people who walk through our doors," noted sons Hal Earnhardt III and Jim Babe Earnhardt. "Dad built this company on the principle that a business must strengthen the community around it. Giving back is a lifelong family tradition and a debt of gratitude we will always pay forward."

"We are truly so grateful for St. Mary's Food Bank to be part of this 75th celebration," added Jerry Brown. "The Earnhardt family's gift is sure to touch the lives of many Arizona families and individuals who are struggling with food insecurity."

St. Mary's Food Bank distributed more than 102 million pounds of food last year through its work with individuals and agency partners like Earnhardt.

About Earnhardt Auto Centers

Earnhardt Auto Centers (EAC) is one of the oldest and most prominent privately owned auto dealer groups in the United States. Founded in 1951 by Hal Earnhardt, Jr. ("Tex Earnhardt") and made famous by their "No Bull" slogan, Earnhardt Auto Centers is consistently recognized by Automotive News as one of the top dealership groups in the country. EAC operates 17 new car dealerships, representing 15 brands. EAC remains locally owned and operated by multiple generations of the Earnhardt Family and over 2,000 loyal, dedicated employees. In 2026, Earnhardt Auto Centers celebrates its 75th Anniversary as an Arizona company. The company website is famously known as NoBull.com

ABOUT ST. MARY'S FOOD BANK: Serving Arizona area families and individuals since 1967, St. Mary's Food Bank provides extensive food distribution, emergency food boxes, and job training programs. The Main Warehouse (2831 N. 31st Avenue, Phoenix, AZ) handles Food Assistance & Donations. Additionally it operates the Phoenix Neighborhood Food Center (3131 W. Thomas Rd., Phoenix, AZ) and the Surprise Neighborhood Food Center (13050 W. Elm St., Surprise, AZ). The AZ Food Help Agency Finder or the St. Mary's Food Bank Agency Locator can be used to find the nearest food source or donation location.