Aug 16, 2022
ASM GLOBAL, KFC YUM! CENTER AND PEPSI HELP SUPPORT EASTERN KENTUCKY RESIDENTS AFTER CATASTROPHIC FLOODING DEVASTATES REGION
LOS ANGELES — ASM Global, KFC Yum! Center and Pepsi partnered yesterday to host a "Fill the Truck" supply drive to collect and deliver essential items to help Eastern Kentucky residents recover from recent catastrophic flooding that has devastated the region and claimed the lives of 39 residents.
This collection event was part of the venue’s larger initiative to support the local community in a variety of ways through ASM Global Acts, which also made a financial contribution. ASM Global Acts is the entertainment giant’s corporate social responsibility platform aimed at investing in people and strengthening communities around the world. Support from Louisville-area residents, businesses and government office workers exceeded all expectations; and the ASM Global team filled two large semi-trailer trucks with food and supplies for flood victims.
ASM Global KFC Yum! Center General Manager Eric Granger said, "While we cannot imagine the devastating loss that has impacted Eastern Kentucky residents, we knew we had to find a way to provide support. Our ASM Global staff approached me wanting to help with Eastern Kentucky flood relief, and we knew we could make a bigger impact with the support of our partners and the local community.
“Pepsi is such a willing and supportive partner and eagerly jumped in to help by providing transportation to deliver items directly to residents in Eastern Kentucky. Seeing our community come together to help our neighbors during this incredibly difficult time has been extremely rewarding for our entire ASM Global team, and we could not be more pleased with the response."
Local businesses and residents were encouraged to collect supplies and drop them off at the arena's outdoor Pepsi Plaza on Thursday, Aug. 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Not only did KFC Yum! Center partners step in and deliver supplies, the entire city embraced the collection by organizing smaller collection events at local businesses throughout the city and donating them to the “Fill the Truck” event. These items were delivered to the Knott County Sportsplex and offered directly to residents throughout the areas affected by recent flooding in Eastern Kentucky.
Louisville Arena Authority Chair Leslie Geoghegan has partnered with the ASM Global team at the arena to organize and participate in many community events and again worked closely on-site with ASM in this collection drive.
“I was so grateful for the opportunity to spend the day working with our enthusiastic KFC Yum! Center staff and Pepsi representatives to fill the truck with essential items for flood victims. It was incredible to see the Louisville community come together to support this meaningful initiative,” said Geoghegan. “As a part of this community, it is our responsibility to find ways to make a different and give back. Like the tornadoes in Western Kentucky several months ago, this natural disaster’s impact has been felt throughout our state; and we wanted to assist the many families in Eastern Kentucky affected by flooding.”
While the arena accepted most items that could be used to assist with cleanup or basic necessities, the most requested items included:
-
Blankets
- Towels
- Cleaning supplies
- Mops/Brooms
- Buckets
- Shovels
- Non-perishable food items, particularly peanut butter, canned fish and lean meats, soups, and stews