Outback Steakhouse is aiming to honor veterans who have served in all branches of the military this year and will be hosting a 5 day long Veterans Day special. Beginning on November 7th, any active duty or honorably discharged military member is entitled to a free Bloomin’ Onion and their choice of Beverage. All restaurant locations will be participating in this free giveaway. The last day to receive a free appetizer and beverage comes on November 11th. Veterans can visit the Outback Steakhouse website to find a location close to them.
The Tampa, Florida based restaurant chain is also collecting donations to help support veterans and active duty troops. Donations can be made in each store, or anyone can text “TROOPS” to 90999 to make a five dollar donation that will appear on their next cell phone service bill. The funds received through the text message and in-store donation drives will be given to Operation Homefront. This nonprofit organization helps families and wounded military members with emergency support when something major disrupts their lives. Most of their support is given to families who have a supporting member currently on tour. Food, housing and financial assistance are all available through the help of thousands of regular donations.
This isn’t Outback Steakhouse’s first campaign to help honor veterans. The chain began with their “Operation Feeding Freedom” in 2002 when a kitchen crew was sent to serve steak and Bloomin Onions to soldiers on the ground in Afghanistan. 9 more trips have taken place since the initial campaign and over 200,000 active duty soldiers have been served while on tour. The chain also raised millions for Operation Homefront over the past two years with their special “Red, White & Bloomin” menu that offered part of the profits on the food sales to the charity.
