For the second consecutive year, Libby's Fruits and Vegetables is celebrating Get Back to the Table month by launching its annual Virtual Canned Food Drive in support of Feeding America and the increased demand on its network of food banks. This online food drive encourages families to rally their communities to help those less fortunate enjoy a meal together. Families who raise $1,500 or more for Feeding America will get their pantries stocked with a year's supply of canned vegetables from Libby's[i]. In addition, Libby's Fruits and Vegetables will match up to $40,000 of donations raised by Dec. 13, 2010, to help provide more than half a million meals for needy families.
This forms part of Libby's long-term commitment to hunger relief. Earlier this year, the company donated a record five million pounds of canned food to Feeding America food banks across the country.
"Libby's is committed to bringing affordable, simple and delicious meals to the family table. Get Back to the Table month is a celebration of family mealtime and all the benefits dining together brings," commented Bruce Wolcott, vice president of marketing, Seneca Foods Corporation."Many American families struggle to put food on the table, so we are working with Feeding America to make helping others easier than ever. With just the click of a mouse, anyone can help less fortunate families enjoy a meal together."
Food banks are feeling the pressure of the slow economic recovery. A recent report released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture showed that nearly 17 million children in the U.S. live on the brink of hunger. Overall, more than 16 percent, or 49 million people in the U.S., run short of nutritious food.
"Feeding America is currently providing food to nearly six million Americans each and every week, about 50 percent more than just four years ago," said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America."We are grateful that Libby's Fruits and Vegetables continues to work with us to find new ways to get more food to more people in need. We could not accomplish the critical work we do without partners like Libby's."
To help Feeding America with this growing problem, families are encouraged to participate in the Virtual Canned Food Drive by visiting GetBacktotheTable.com. There they can create a team profile and engage their communities to help hungry families in their area. For every $5 raised, Feeding America will help provide 35 meals to those in need.
The prize will be awarded by Libby's Vegetables in the form of 200 manufacturers coupons good for any Libby's Vegetables product
Contact
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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 X.com.
Libby's
Libby's Fruits and Vegetables products are packed and distributed by Marion, NY-based Seneca Foods Corporation under trademark license. Seneca Foods is an independent, publicly traded, fully integrated food processing company. Libby's Vegetables is the nation's third largest brand of canned vegetables and has been a staple on American dinner tables since the 1880s. With over 60 different varieties, it offers among the industry's most complete lines of canned vegetables, including Libby's Naturals, with no added sugar or salt, and Libby's Organics. Seneca Foods' heritage harkens back to 1949 when the company introduced bottled grape juice to the market. Shortly thereafter, Seneca Foods was the first to introduce 100% frozen apple juice and held leading market shares in the fruit juice and apple sauce categories for many years. In 2009, Seneca revolutionized the shelf-stable fruit category with its launch of Libby's 6-ounce Jumbo Cups™. For more information on Libby's Fruits and Vegetables, visit SenecaFoods.com. For information on Libby's Get Back to the Table mission, visit GetBacktotheTable.com, follow @LibbysTable on X, or like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/LibbysTable.