FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Donation will help Farmers Ending Hunger to package and distribute nearly 180,000 pounds of food to hungry Oregonians
SALEM, Ore., Feb. 2, 2012 – Farmers Ending Hunger today received a $25,000 contribution to support its Farm to Food Box program. The grant – which was given to the nonprofit organization through the Walmart Foundation’s State Giving Program – will supplement the organization’s efforts to collect and transport nearly 2 million pounds of crops and meats annually from statewide farms to processors, and then to the Oregon Food Bank Network.
“Roughly 260,000 Oregonians receive their meals through food box programs every month,” said Farmers Ending Hunger Executive Director John Burt. “The Walmart Foundation’s grant will help support our collective goal to eliminate hunger in Oregon by providing locally sourced, nutritious food to those in need.”
Farmers Ending Hunger works to eliminate hunger throughout the state by increasing the amount of high-quality food available to local communities through a partnership with local farmers and ranchers, who donate a portion of their harvest, as well as food processors, the Oregon Food Bank and the public.
Farmers Ending Hunger will use the Walmart Foundation’s grant to supplement the additional costs associated with product assemblage and distribution. In total, the grant helped to sort, process, package, store and transport 175,000 pounds of pancake mix and 4,000 pounds of hamburger to the Oregon Food Bank to be distributed and served in food boxes for hungry Oregonians. One million food boxes were delivered last year.
“We want to do our part to support those in need, especially in the communities where we do business,” said Matti Havener, Walmart regional general manager. “We hope this grant plays a role in expanding access to fresh, healthy food and that together, we can work towards eradicating hunger in Oregon.”
The contribution to Farmers Ending Hunger was made possible through the Walmart Foundation’s Oregon State Giving Program. Through this program, the Walmart Foundation supports organizations that create opportunities so people can live better. The Walmart Foundation State Giving Program strives to award grants that have a long-lasting, positive impact on communities across the U.S.
In 2010, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation awarded more than $11.3 million to local organizations in Oregon. Through additional funds donated by customers, and Walmart and Sam’s Club associates throughout the state, the retailer’s contributions in Oregon totaled more than $11.8 million.
To be considered for support, prospective grantee organizations must submit applications through the Walmart Foundation State Giving Program’s online grant application. Applicants must have a current 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in order to meet the program’s minimum eligibility criteria. Additional information about the program’s funding guidelines and application process is available online at www.walmartfoundation.org/stategiving <http://www.walmartfoundation.org/stategiving> .
About Philanthropy at Walmart
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are proud to support initiatives that are helping people live better around the globe. In May 2010, Walmart and its Foundation made a historic pledge of $2 billion cash and in-kind support through 2015 to fight hunger in the U.S. The Walmart Foundation also supports education, workforce development, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness initiatives. To learn more, visit www.walmartfoundation.org <http://www.walmartfoundation.org> .
About Farmers Ending Hunger
Eastern Oregon resident Fred Ziari created the nonprofit Farmers Ending Hunger in 2004 when he learned that Oregon was one of the hungriest states in the country. Farmers Ending Hunger gathers Oregon’s agricultural resources to help feed the hungry. Local family farmers and ranchers donate a portion of the food commodities they raise, and Adopt-an-Acre, a supplementary program seeks the operating funds from the public necessary to harvest and process those same crops into frozen and canned food products that are easily stored and utilized, then distribute them to the hungry through Oregon Food Bank’s regional network. For information on how to contribute to Adopt-an-Acre, please visit www.farmersendinghunger.com <http://www.farmersendinghunger.com/> or call Executive Director John Burt at 503-931-9232. Follow us on Facebook at Farmers Ending Hunger for news and events.
Contact:
John Burt, Executive Director, Farmers Ending Hunger, (503) 931-9232, [email protected]
Adrienne Webb, Vox Public Relations Public Affairs, (503) 954-4919, [email protected]
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