Earnhardt celebrates 73rd anniversary with $73,000 donation to local food bank

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Earnhardt donates $73,000 to local food bank for 73rd anniversary

The team at Earnhardt Auto Centers recently donated $73,000 to St. Mary’s Food Bank in observance of Earnhardt’s 73rd year in business.

The Earnhardt organization has a long history of giving to and supporting local causes. Employees can make a difference by donating a portion of their paychecks every quarter to a chosen charity. Recipients have included Hospice of the Valley, the Armed Forces Relief Trust, the Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation, United Food Bank and the Arizona Humane Society. Earnhardt Auto Centers also sponsors or hosts many events in the community.

Team members are also encouraged to spend time serving in the local community. Each year, Earnhardt locations serve as drop-off spots to donate gently used bicycles, benefitting St. Vincent de Paul. In addition to collecting donations, employees spent time refurbishing the bicycles.

St. Mary’s Food Bank serves 76,000 square miles of Arizona, providing food to more than 600 nonprofit partners, including homeless shelters, senior centers, schools and faith-based organizations.

Founder Tex Earnhardt started Earnhardt Auto Centers in 1951 with a Chandler-based Ford franchise. Over the years, the company expanded, opening more dealerships with Tex at the forefront. Longtime Arizona residents often fondly recall Tex’s catchphrase, “That ain’t no bull.”

Today, the company represents 15 brands at 17 dealerships throughout the Phoenix metro area. Tex passed away in 2020, but his children and grandchildren still lead the company and continue his desire to serve the community.

“To be a part of both recognizing and memorializing the spirit of Tex Earnhardt and the company he started 73 years ago is a real honor,” said Milt Liu, President and CEO of St. Mary’s Food Bank. “This incredible donation will provide more than 360,000 meals to Arizona children, families and seniors in need. On their behalf, we are proud to accept this awesome gift from the Earnhardt family and their continued support of St. Mary’s Food Bank!”

Thank you, Earnhardt Auto Centers leadership and employees, for your generous support of local organizations that benefit many individuals!

Carolyn Sostrom

Carolyn Sostrom is a long-time Arizona resident who loves desert sunsets, warm weather, Zumba, and the Western lifestyle. She attended Saguaro High School in Scottsdale and then Arizona State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Similarly to the protagonist in *The Devil Wears Prada*, Carolyn moved to New York City right after college. She started working for the fashion magazine company Conde Nast but never transitioned to the dark side. After a few years, she left New York in the rearview mirror and returned to her home state, taking a reporter job at the *Apache Junction Independent*. With over 30 years of freelance writing experience, Carolyn especially enjoys writing about community events and profiling individuals who are making a difference in their communities. She had the pleasure of interviewing a variety of cowboy personalities for an article she wrote for the *Scottsdale Independent* about the history of DC Ranch and its roots as a working ranch. Now, her Western adventures with CLN have her diving into the rugged automotive scene, exploring the trucks and rigs cowboys rely on for work, home, and play, a niche where grit meets horsepower. She works at Raising Special Kids, a nonprofit resource center for families of children with disabilities and special healthcare needs. Carolyn also volunteers with the Autism Society of Greater Phoenix. Carolyn believes that everyone has a story, and she loves connecting with others to hear their stories. She’s dedicated to ethical journalism and accurate reporting, which shines through in her storytelling.