Feeding America, the leading domestic hunger-relief organization, today announced a $1.3 million gift from the Caterpillar Foundation to help more than 500,000 people who struggle with hunger in 38 counties across the country. This gift will benefit 30 Feeding America member food banks, providing four million meals locally to children and families in need.
“Feeding America is grateful to the Caterpillar Foundation for its commitment to fighting hunger in local communities,” said Matt Knott, president of Feeding America. “No one should have to worry about whether or not there will be food on the table – especially children. This partnership will help the Feeding America network provide more meals to children and families in need.”
More than 41 million people face hunger in America, including 13 million children. In the counties served by the Caterpillar Foundation’s investment, an average of 14.6% of the population is food insecure, which is slightly higher than the national average of 14.1%.
The Caterpillar Foundation is committed to supporting programs that are focused on alleviating poverty. Their generous donation will support feeding programs that provide nutritious food to families and children. Funds also will support partner agencies; mobile pantries; and child hunger initiatives like the BackPack Program, an effort that provides food to children on the weekends when free or reduced-price school meals are unavailable.
The Caterpillar Foundation’s support of Feeding America has helped provide nearly seven million meals to Caterpillar communities since 2015.
“We are proud to work with Feeding America to support our neighbors who may not know where their next meal will come from,” said Michele Sullivan, president of the Caterpillar Foundation. “When people’s basic human needs are met, they are able to more effectively pursue economic and educational opportunities. And when they can do so, an entire community can benefit.”
The Feeding America network responds to the hunger crisis in America by providing food to people in need. It provides more food to children, families and seniors than any other charitable organization—more than four billion meals each year. To find the Feeding America food bank in your area, visit www.feedingamerica.org.
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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.
About the Caterpillar Foundation
Founded in 1952, Caterpillar's philanthropic organization, the Caterpillar Foundation has contributed more than $685 million to help make sustainable progress possible around the world by providing program support in the areas of environmental sustainability, access to education and basic human needs. To learn more about the global impact of the Caterpillar Foundation, please visit www.togetherstronger.com.
