Logansport, Ind. – June 14, 2018 – Tyson Foods announced today a $151,000 donation to Food Finders Food Bank to help fund a mobile food pantry and leverage access to federal funding for food programs. The company also donated a truckload of protein totaling 29,640 pounds, the equivalent of 118,560 servings.
With the purchase of a refrigerated box truck, the food bank’s mobile pantry will be able to increase the number of annual meals provided to the surrounding Logansport area. The grant will also help subsidize first-year costs on a SNAP Outreach Coordinator who will enroll residents in federal feeding programs.
“Food Finders is grateful to Tyson Foods for its commitment to help the hungry in the counties that surround their Logansport plant,” said Katy Bunder, president and CEO of Food Finders. “The partnership between Food Finders and Tyson Foods will bring additional mobile pantries to the community and allow us to conduct SNAP outreach with one on one registration assistance.”
The Food Finders Food Bank delivered over 9 million pounds of food to 120 hunger relief agencies in the region last year. This grant is expected to allow the mobile pantry to increase total number of meals by over 475,000 per year. Also, with help from the SNAP Outreach Coordinator, a net increase of over 700 approved SNAP applications - equivalent to nearly 900,000 meals - is expected for 2018.
“We’re proud to support Food Finders Food Bank and appreciate its dedication to providing hunger relief for Tyson Foods communities,” said Debra Vernon, senior director of corporate social responsibility for Tyson Foods. “From SNAP outreach to the mobile pantry, the food bank is addressing hunger in a variety of ways and this investment will help impact even more lives.”
Tyson Foods has three facilities in Indiana and employs more than 3,000 in the state, and more than 80 family farmers in the state grow chickens for its operations. The company also purchases cattle, pigs, grain, diesel and other utilities in Indiana and estimates its annual statewide economic impact at more than $619.2 million.
About Tyson Foods
Tyson Foods Inc. (NYSE: TSN) is one of the world’s largest food companies and a recognized leader in protein. Founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson and grown under three generations of family leadership, the company has a broad portfolio of products and brands like Tyson®, Jimmy Dean®, Hillshire Farm®, Ball Park®, Wright®, Aidells®, ibp® and State Fair®. Tyson Foods innovates continually to make protein more sustainable, tailor food for everywhere it’s available and raise the world’s expectations for how much good food can do. Headquartered in Springdale, Arkansas, the company has 122,000 team members. Through its Core Values, Tyson Foods strives to operate with integrity, create value for its shareholders, customers, communities and team members and serve as a steward of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it. Visit www.tysonfoods.com.
About Food Finders
Since 1981, Food Finders Food Bank, a member of Feeding America, has worked to provide full service programs that meet the nutritional needs of thousands of hungry families in North Central Indiana. The food bank operates programs to cost-effectively secure donated and purchased food, provide food to families in need, and educate the community about the efficient use of food resources. Food Finders distributes more than nine million pounds of food annually; throughout the 16 counties it serves. For more information or to make a donation, contact Food Finders Food Bank, Inc. at (765) 471-0062 or visit www.food-finders.org.
Media Contacts
Derek Burleson, (479) 290-6466
Kier Crites Scherger, (765) 471-0062 x219