GULF SHORES, Ala. - The Christian Service Center receives weekly frozen food donations from the Gulf Shores LongHorn Steakhouse and distributes the donations to clients in need.

LongHorn has contributed an average of 127 pounds of food per week since March 3, 2008. The food donations consist of rib-eye and prime rib trimmings, baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, bread, chicken, fish, soups and sauces. LongHorn also makes generous monetary donations to the Center.

LongHorn also sponsors the CSC annual Spaghetti Dinner contributing more than 700 salads in both 2012 and 2013. The salad donations also include LongHorn employees coming in early to wash, cut and prepare the salads. Manager Michael Pippin says LongHorn is very happy to help the Christian Service Center make an impact on our local community and they look forward to helping any way they can.

LongHorn of Gulf Shores is a member of the Darden Restaurant group; the world’s largest casual dining restaurant company. For years the Darden group wrestled with the problem of food waste; especially the uncomfortable dilemma of throwing away food that was perfectly good and safe to eat

In 2003, Darden partnered with Food Donation Connection, a national network that works with restaurants and other food service companies to distribute high-quality, prepared food to hunger relief organizations across the United States and established a pilot program to harvest this excess food. The following year, the program grew into a company-wide effort and became known as the Darden Harvest food donation program.

In its 23rd year, the Christian Service Center is a “Hand Up” rather than a “Hand Out” agency. Clients are given immediate emergency aid as well as guidance on finding solutions to problems.

The CSC is a 100 percent volunteer agency funded by the churches of Pleasure Island, various community organizations, including the United Way of Baldwin County, and interested individuals.

For more information please call the CSC at 251-968-5256, visit our web page, www.cscgs.com or like us on Facebook