Miles for Mimi
Life changes do not come easily. Just ask Chef Troy Gagliardo.
Gagliardo, owner of Motown Spice Provisions in his native Mooresville, N.C., reached a point four years ago where such a change was needed regarding his health. For over 800 days, Gagliardo worked out more than an hour a day and lost 100 pounds.
Gagliardo has pledged to run a half-Ironman—a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run—in less than eight hours, 30 minutes to raise money for Mimi’s Garden at the new FeedNC facility in his hometown. Mimi’s Garden was founded last year by The Dale Jr. Foundation to honor Brenda Jackson, mother of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kelley Earnhardt Miller. Gagliardo’s quest has been dubbed “Miles for Mimi’s Garden.”
The Dale Jr. Foundation partnered with FeedNC in a new facility on U.S. 21 near the JR Motorsports campus as a home for Mimi’s Garden. Gagliardo and his wife Tracy have long supported the efforts of the Foundation and were eager to help.
As both an award-winning chef, founder of Motown Spice and author of the Pseudo Southern cookbook, Gagliardo knows the benefits of fresh and healthy food options for those struggling with food insecurities. The funding his quest will provide will help Mimi’s Garden grow and flourish for years to come.
“This is the perfect opportunity for me and Tracy to use our commitment to helping our hometown and The Dale Jr. Foundation by combining my lifestyle change with the ability to help provide fresh and healthy food options to people in need,” Gagliardo said. “I was able to change my life this way, and helping others to do so is my obligation, as well as quite rewarding.”
FeedNC serves more than 3,400 people per year, creating connections to food, education, and resources as a catalyst for change. Services include, Grassroots Grocery Program, culinary job training program, mobile pantries, and displacement assistance. The Dale Jr. Foundation has long been a supporter of the group's initiatives.
To Learn more about Troy's journey or to make a donation, please visit: https://bit.ly/3vf1lYy
ABOUT THE DALE JR FOUNDATION:
The Dale Jr. Foundation is a charity dedicated to giving underprivileged individuals with a focus on youth, the resources to improve their confidence and education, and the opportunity to achieve extraordinary goals. The Dale Jr. Foundation has made a monumental impact in the local community since its beginning. Dedicated to giving underprivileged individuals, with a focus on youth, the resources to achieve extraordinary goals, TDJF has contributed to more than 300 charities nationally and locally, including The Make-A-Wish Foundation, Blessings in a Backpack, Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Ace and TJ’s Grin Kids, and Mooresville Christian Mission. For more information, visit www.thedalejrfoundation.org.
ABOUT FEEDNC:
It takes more than a meal to end hunger. FeedNC stands for Food, Education, Essentials, and Dignity. With a mission to create connections to food, education, resources as a catalyst for change, FeedNC served over 3400 individuals-in-need throughout 2021 through 8 innovative programs and services. Collaboratively developed, all programs have been uniquely crafted to tackle many large scale hunger and food insecurity issues at the community level. The program’s primary objectives include (1) decreasing food insecurity, (2) increasing health and wellness, (3) building social capital, (4) creating opportunities for upward economic mobility through workforce development, (5) decreasing food waste, (6) providing financial assistance through weekly supplemental groceries. Designed with dignity at the forefront, FeedNC’s core belief is that growth and change can only occur in a safe place that will allow individuals to feel heard and respected. To learn more and volunteer, please visit https://www.feednc.org/
