A Fender Bender Created A Special Bond Between An Evansville Restaurant And The ERM
I've known about Tracy Gorman's love of Chick-fil-a for many years, but I recently found out that the bond is deeper than just his love of chicken biscuits.
When Rich Stierwalt, Chick-fil-A Cross Pointe Owner-Operator, accidentally backed into Evansville Rescue Mission CEO Tracy Gorman’s car at a local baseball game, neither could have predicted the impact of their fateful meeting. This small fender-bender led to a deep-rooted, community-focused partnership that has grown over 12 years. Here’s a closer look at the bond between these two Evansville organizations and how they’re working together to uplift the community.
Building a Bond Through Shared Values
From that first encounter, Rich and Tracy quickly discovered their shared passion for giving back. Tracy introduced Rich to the work of Evansville Rescue Mission, which has been a cornerstone of support in the Evansville area for over a century, providing meals, housing, and other essential services to those in need. Rich and his Chick-fil-A Cross Pointe team saw an opportunity to support this mission through volunteering, food donations, and more. Over time, this simple act of kindness evolved into a partnership where Chick-fil-A now serves as a reliable ally to Evansville Rescue Mission, with Rich even joining the nonprofit's board of directors.
Read More: Evansville Rescue Mission Seeks Donations for Gobbler Gathering
42,000 Meals and Counting
One significant way Chick-fil-A Cross Pointe supports the mission is through the Chick-fil-A Shared Table® program. This initiative allows Chick-fil-A restaurants to donate surplus food to local organizations, and Rich’s team has donated over 42,000 meals to Evansville Rescue Mission. Beyond just food, Chick-fil-A has stepped up during emergencies and filled in when Evansville Rescue Mission’s kitchen was down, providing meals and hands-on support.
Tracy Gorman shares his gratitude, stating, “Chick-fil-A has become family to us. Their readiness to help whenever we call is something we’re incredibly grateful for. Knowing they care about our community in the same ways that we do is truly special.”
Read More: Evansville Rescue Mission:13th Annual Drumstick Dash Registration
More Than Just a Partnership
The collaboration between Chick-fil-A Cross Pointe and Evansville Rescue Mission is more than just a business partnership—it’s a shared commitment to building a better community. With continued support from leaders like Rich, Evansville Rescue Mission is empowered to expand its reach and make a lasting difference in Evansville.
To learn more about Evansville Rescue Mission’s upcoming Center for Women and Children or to get involved, visit EvansvilleRescueMission.org.
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