Feeding America, a network of more than 200 food banks and the nation's largest hunger relief organization, today announced that Unilever will donate $375,000.
The funds, provided through the Unilever United States Foundation, Inc., will help purchase, package, and transport food to millions of Americans facing the nation's hunger crisis. In addition, Unilever will provide continued support for the Kids Cafe & Back Pack Programs. The donation builds upon Unilever's support earlier this year, bringing its total financial contribution in 2009 to $500,000.
"We are extremely grateful to Unilever for stepping forward with this much-needed funding. As schools throughout the nation close for the holidays, millions of children will lose access to the free and reduced-priced meals they receive through the public school system. The need for food and funds is sky-high right now, and we are so pleased that Unilever is continuing its long-term commitment to us when funding is urgently needed," said Vicki Escarra, Feeding America president and CEO."They are setting a great example for all of corporate America as we face the challenge of trying to help the 49 million Americans who live at risk of hunger."
"The holiday season is supposed to be a time for family celebrations, yet more and more Americans are suffering from hunger as a result of these challenging economic times," according to Fiona C. Laird, Senior Vice President HR & Communications Americas for Unilever."Our support is designed to help provide food banks across the country with the necessary resources to meet the increased demand and make sure that our nation's children get the nutrients they need for a better future."
The BackPack program distributes backpacks filled with nutritious, child-friendly food to children living at risk of hunger. In fiscal year 2009, 150 Feeding America food banks distributed nearly 3 million such back packs. The Feeding America Kid's Cafe program provides a late afternoon meal to 113,000 children from low-income families at 1,600 sites across the country. These programs are essential to providing children with the proper nourishment needed to thrive.
The Feeding America network of food banks provides food to more than four million Americans each week through more than 63,000 food pantries, soup kitchens and other agencies.
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About Feeding America
Feeding America® is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through a network of more than 200 food banks, 21 statewide food bank associations, and over 60,000 partner agencies, food pantries and meal programs, we helped provide 5.3 billion meals to tens of millions of people in need last year. Feeding America also supports programs that prevent food waste and improve food security among the people we serve; brings attention to the social and systemic barriers that contribute to food insecurity in our nation; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Visit www.feedingamerica.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
Unilever
Unilever's mission is to add vitality to life. We meet everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care with brands that help people feel good, look good and get more out of life. Each day, around the world, consumers make 160 million decisions to purchase Unilever products. In the United States, the portfolio includes major brand icons such as: Axe, Ben & Jerry's, Bertolli, Breyers, Caress, Country Crock, Degree, Dove personal care products, Hellmann's, Klondike, Knorr, Lipton, Popsicle, Promise, Q-Tips, Skippy, Slim-Fast, Suave, Sunsilk and Vaseline. All of the preceding brand names are registered trademarks of the Unilever Group of Companies. Dedicated to serving consumers and the communities where we live, work and play, Unilever employs nearly 12,000 people in both the United States and Puerto Rico – generating nearly $10 billion in sales in 2008. For more information, visit www.unileverusa.com.
