PHILADELPHIA, PA — Aramark Destinations, a hospitality division of Aramark (NYSE: ARMK), is marking a year of expanded community partnerships across its national park and conservation properties, highlighting how food donations, volunteer service, and rural collaboration are becoming a core part of its operating model.
The company said its efforts are focused on strengthening the rural gateway communities that support national parks, where seasonal economies and limited resources often amplify the impact of private-sector involvement. Through food recovery, volunteer labor, and partnerships with nonprofits and local organizations, Aramark Destinations aims to reinforce long-term community resilience alongside its hospitality operations.
“Aramark Destinations prioritizes supporting the communities that our team members call home,” said Sasha Day, president and chief executive officer of Aramark Destinations. “We’re proud to invest our time and resources into the people and nonprofits who help these parks and neighborhoods thrive. These efforts reflect our long-term dedication to building stronger, more resilient communities.”
In 2025, the company reported donating thousands of pounds of food, contributing hundreds of volunteer hours, and making targeted investments in local programs tied to food security, social services, and community development.
At Isle Royale National Park in Michigan, Rock Harbor Lodge continued a seasonal tradition by donating surplus restaurant ingredients to Copper Shores Meals on Wheels. At the end of the season, lodge staff loaded two truck beds and a trailer with high-quality food, including fresh trout and approximately 120 pounds of corned beef, which the nonprofit uses to prepare meals for homebound seniors.
At the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, Aramark Destinations expanded its partnership with the Eastern Panhandle Empowerment Center during the 2025 ABC Day community drive. Team members collected clothing, food, books, and hygiene supplies for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking. The site’s dining team also donated nearly 4,000 pounds of prepared but unused food to Berkeley County Meals on Wheels.
In Cortez, Colorado, employees at Mesa Verde National Park logged roughly 80 volunteer hours supporting the Good Samaritan Food Bank. The team built and installed new garden beds, representing a $3,000 investment in materials and labor, a project expected to nearly triple the food bank’s produce capacity. At season’s end, the team also donated more than $2,000 worth of unopened food items to local food programs.
Community engagement also extended to Southeast Alaska, where Glacier Bay Lodge hosted a growing series of Community Nights. The gatherings brought residents together for shared meals and storytelling, strengthening ties between lodge staff and local partners while offering residents a welcoming space within the park’s hospitality setting.
Aramark Destinations said the initiatives reflect a broader strategy of embedding community support into its operations, particularly in rural areas where national parks serve as economic and cultural hubs. The company framed the work as an extension of its long-term presence in these regions rather than one-off charitable activity.
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