Allstate Helps Local Food Banks for Disaster Response

Up to $2 Million Pledged to Support Disaster Relief Efforts

July 30, 2014

Feeding America, the nation's largest hunger-relief organization, announced today The Allstate Foundation and Allstate Insurance Company, the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer, have renewed their commitment to Feeding America and pledged to donate up to $2 million in support of Feeding America's disaster relief efforts.

The announcement comes as Feeding America food banks begin dealing with the busy summer weather season – from hurricanes along the coast to tornadoes in the Midwest to fires in the Southwest. During the past five years, the Feeding America network and its national corporate donors have provided more than 100 million pounds of emergency food and disaster relief supplies to individuals and families affected by a disaster.

Allstate Insurance Company's commitment of $1 million enables Feeding America to build capacity in disaster preparedness and provide critical support if a disaster strikes. Additionally, The Allstate Foundation pledged up to $1 million to support the response efforts of member food banks in the event of significant natural disasters. As part of this commitment, the Foundation recently committed $250,000 to pilot an initiative among regional food banks to build capacity and preparedness.

"When dealing with the aftermath of a catastrophe, people should not have to worry about where their next meal will come from," said Matt Winter, president of Allstate Personal Lines and Feeding America board member. "I am honored to be personally involved with this cause, and I am proud of the support Allstate is providing to help address this important need."

Allstate's commitment to ending hunger goes beyond its monetary donations. In addition to its philanthropic support, Allstate has also selected Feeding America as the lead partner for its annual Week of Service. During this nationwide event, Allstate employees and agency owners partnered with local food banks to fight hunger in their communities by collecting food to feed more than 300,000 people in 2014.

"We are extremely grateful for Allstate's commitment to our disaster relief program, which helps ensure that our network is ready when disaster strikes," said Bob Aiken, CEO of Feeding America. "With their and their employees' support, we are ready to deliver much-needed emergency relief to families in need."

Feeding America also provides immediate relief through emergency feeding centers operated by NVOAD (National Voluntary Organizations Active In Disaster) partners, including the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and other disaster relief organizations.

Feeding America first took an active role in disaster relief services in 1989, following Hurricane Hugo, which devastated several states in the Southeastern U.S., and the Loma Pieta earthquake, which caused significant damage in San Francisco and the Central California Coast. Since then, the Feeding America network has been committed to responding to major disasters and dedicated to helping communities recover.


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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.