CONTACT: Kyle Shepherd
Direct: 502-238-5331  |  Media Only: 502-744-5639
kyle.shepherd@louisvilleky.gov

The Louisville Zoo is teaming up with Kroger and Dare to Care Food Bank to collect food items for struggling families in Kentuckiana now through February 28. Guests who visit during Wild Winter Days, presented by Kroger, can receive half off regular adult or child general admission with at least one canned food item per person to benefit Dare to Care.

To date, the Zoo has collected just over 22,000 pounds of food thanks to the generosity of its guests.  That is the weight of two African elephants like Mikki.

The offer is valid for regular adult or child admission and not for Santa’s Safari, other special fee-based programs, for pre-paid groups or with other discounts. Schools can receive $5 student admission for field trips (admission portion only, not education programs). Each student must have at least one canned food item.

Some of Dare to Care Food Bank’s most needed items are canned meats, which includes tuna, canned fruit, beans, peanut butter, soup, rice, cereal, fruit juice, pasta and canned vegetables. Please avoid glass containers. More details are available at louisvillezoo.org/dare.

Show your Kroger card plus card for an added bonus now until February 28 and receive one free carousel ride ticket to use starting March 14, 2014 during return visit to the Zoo. Please note that the carousel is closed for the winter and will reopen weather permitting on March 14, 2015. One ticket per Kroger Plus card. Not good with any other offers.

The Zoo is open daily year round. Fall/winter hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (exit by 5 p.m.) and continue through March 14, 2015. The Zoo is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. For more information, visit LouisvilleZoo.org.

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Dare to Care Food Bank is a local non-profit organization with a mission to lead our community to feed the hungry and conquer the cycle of need.  Dare to Care annually distributes more than 16 million pounds of food, including over 5 million pounds of fresh produce, through its 300 partner food pantries, emergency kitchens and shelters as well as its Kids Cafe and award-winning Backpack Buddy program.  Dare to Care provided food assistance to 192,000 people in Kentuckiana in the past twelve months.

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The Louisville Zoo, a non-profit organization and state zoo of Kentucky, is dedicated to bettering the bond between people and our planet by providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for visitors, and leadership in scientific research and conservation education. The Zoo is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) and by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

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