On Tuesday, the Charlotte Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities partnered with Feed The Children and Indian Trail, N.C.-based non-profit Common Heart Ministries for the second-consecutive year to distribute non-perishable food and products to 800 families in Union County.

Each family received a 25-pound box of food and a separate box of personal care items distributed by local volunteers. Each food box will feed a family of four for a week.

"It was a great team effort by Speedway Children's Charities here in Charlotte, as well as Common Heart Ministries and Feed the Children," said Major Gen. Chuck Swannack, executive director of Speedway Children's Charities. "The greatest part of it all was to see the recipients come in with smiles on their faces and how happy they were, as well as all the volunteers. It was an eye-opening experience and I'm glad we were able to help out and support some families in Union County.

In total, more than 32,000 pounds of food and personal care items were distributed. In addition to the more than 100 volunteers, NASCAR Next driver Kenzie Ruston and three-time Charlotte Motor Speedway Jack in the Box Summer Shootout Series Pro division champion Daniel Hemric were on hand to pass out boxes.

"It was really cool to be able to come out and help families in need," said Ruston. "I've never been able to do that much charity work. I always feel like we're so busy at the race tracks. I really enjoyed being able to come out and give back to the community."

Common Heart, an organization involving more than 500 volunteers from 50 local churches that promotes personal action to address hunger and poverty, assisted in finding the recipient families in need in Union County.

The food distribution is part of a larger partnership with Feed The Children and the eight chapters of Speedway Children's Charities nationwide. This year, Speedway Children's Charities and Feed The Children will deliver 16 tractor trailers full of food and supplies around the country in communities surrounding Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Kentucky Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Sonoma Raceway and Texas Motor Speedway.

By year's end, Feed the Children distributions in partnership with Speedway Children's Charities will benefit more than 6,000 families.

For more information on the Charlotte Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities and how you can help children in need, visit www.charlotte.speedwaycharities.org.