David Alan Tepper, philanthropist and founder of Appaloosa Management L.P., has announced that The David Tepper Charitable Foundation, Inc. (the"Foundation") is making a $3 million gift to Feeding America, the nation's largest hunger-relief organization.
This gift comes at a critical time when, according to the US Department of Agriculture, more than 50 million Americans – more than 1 in 6 – are food insecure. The gift will support The David Tepper Charitable Foundation, Inc.'s Hunger Relief Fleet, which will purchase new trucks and replace aging vehicles for Feeding America food banks nationwide.
A fleet of refrigerated trucks is integral to safely and efficiently distributing more than 3 billion pounds of food and grocery products each year throughout Feeding America's network of 200 food banks.
Feeding America serves 5.7 million people each week through food pantries, soup kitchens and other emergency feeding sites nationwide.
"It is vitally important that food banks across America have the proper equipment and resources needed to wage the fight against hunger and poverty," said David Tepper.
Feeding America is continually looking for more ways to efficiently distribute more food to more people by increasing capacity throughout the food bank system. In addition, Feeding America is committed to ensuring that 75 percent of the food it distributes to clients is nutritious; therefore, our fleet of vehicles must be able to safely transport perishables like dairy, meat and fresh produce.
"With more than 1,500 trucks on the road picking up donations of food and grocery products from manufacturers and retailers, the Feeding America legion of trucks is helping us feed more than 37 million people each year," said Vicki Escarra, President and CEO of Feeding America."This generous gift will allow Feeding America food banks to maintain their current trucking fleet and replace older models in order to keep food moving into our food banks and out to local agencies. We are incredibly thankful to David and the foundation for this investment in our vision for a hunger-free America."
Tepper's introduction to the national hunger movement came through the Community Food Bank of New Jersey; a member of the Feeding America network, whose Executive Director, Kathleen DiChiara, recently announced a local $15 million capital campaign to help fight hunger in 21 New Jersey counties.
"David truly understands that local and national financial donations are key elements to fight hunger in this country," said DiChiara."The Foundation and Appaloosa Management L.P. are major contributors to both our food bank's capital campaign and its annual operational funding."
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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 Capital Area Food Bank
The Capital Area Food Bank is the largest public, nonprofit food and nutrition education resource in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area. Last year the Capital Area Food Bank distributed 20 million pounds of food through more than 700 partner agencies in the region. In Washington, D.C. 1 in 2 school age children is at risk of hunger; in Prince George's and Montgomery Counties, 1 in 5; and in Northern Virginia, 1 in 6. In conjunction with our partner agencies, the CAFB helps nourish children, seniors and families in need. The Capital Area Food Bank has served the National Capital Region over 29 years. For more information, visit our web site at www.CapitalAreaFoodBank.org.
