NASCAR legend Darrell Waltrip and members of his family were among the dedicated volunteers who helped distribute food to 400 families in need on Tuesday, June 28, in Franklin.

Feed The Children provided the 20,000 pounds of non-perishable food and personal hygiene items that were distributed at the event, as part of its Americans Feeding Americans Caravan.

The host agencies for the event were Feed America First, a non-profit hunger relief agency, and OneGenAway, a ministry of Nashville Family Church.

“It was just an honor to be able to serve, and I’m just really grateful for Feed America First and Feed The Children, for giving us the opportunity to be a part of serving our community,” said Chris Whitney, director of OneGenAway. “I especially want to thank the Waltrip family for using the platform God has given them to shine a light on hunger, not only in our region, but in America.”

Darrell and his wife, Stevie, and their daughter and son-in-law, Jessica and Fausto Rocha, helped carry cases of food and supplies to the vehicles of the families in need. Along the way, they took time to talk and pray with the families.

“It’s in our community, and it’s just such a wakeup call to think that there might be some kids who might go to bed hungry tonight,” Darrell said. “To give them a helping hand just makes you feel good.”

Waltrip, a Franklin resident and three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, is one of five new members to be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. He is currently lead racing analyst and commentator on FOX Television and Speed TV.

“Just think of the stuff we waste,” Darrell continued. “It makes you so much more aware of what you have and what others don’t have.”

Darrell and his family are Franklin residents and members of Parish Presbyterian Church.

During the event, Darrell’s wife, Stevie, met a woman who has four children and is about to adopt a fifth, and is preparing to begin school.

“Any help that people like that can get is monumental,” Stevie said. “Here she is raising all these children by herself and trying to better her life to provide for those children. I’m just glad there are organizations like these that can help provide for people like that.”

She has encouraged her family throughout the years to position themselves at the feet of other people in a posture of giving.

“We think that we are giving, but we are really receiving blessings from the Lord, and I am happiest when I am serving others,” she said.

Her daughter, Jessica, and son-in-law, Fausto, said they really had a great time at the event, working beside other volunteers.

“It was more than just handing out boxes,” Fausto said. “We connected with people and bonded with them.”

They say they plan on volunteering at more local hunger relief events in the future.

“It’s very eye-opening,” Jessica said. “It’s surprising there are so many people in need, even in Williamson County, and hopefully we helped them out a little bit.”

Stevie said she thought the event was well organized and that the supplies included much-needed items and even a few little luxuries, like perfume and cosmetics.

“I was really touched by the people who were here to receive food – they were very thankful and kind,” she said. “Our family was grateful to be a part of this, and we’re grateful for whatever comes down the road that we can be a part of.”