ORLANDO, Fla. — To bring awareness to the issue of hunger and help find solutions, Olive Garden is asking students “How would you help end hunger in your community?” as part of the 17th-Annual Pasta Tales national essay writing contest.

Through March 22, students in first through 12th grade in the United States and Canada (excluding Quebec) are invited to submit an essay of 50 to 250 words with their ideas for ending hunger in their local communities. The grand-prize winner of the contest will receive a three-day family trip to New York City that includes dinner at the Olive Garden in Times Square and a $2,500 savings bond.

Olive Garden will also provide a $5,000 grant to make the winner’s essay a reality by supporting hunger initiatives in his or her local community. The winners in each of the 12 grade categories will be awarded a $500 savings bond and a family dinner at their local Olive Garden restaurant.

Pasta Tales entry forms and complete rules are available on Olive Garden’s website at www.olivegarden.com/About-Us/News-and-Media/Pasta-Tales/.

For more information about Olive Garden’s Pasta Tales, contact Lauren Simo or Catie Jackson between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 954-776-1999.