SPRINGDALE, Ark., Dec. 4, 2006 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Compelled by the number of food insecure households in America and the growing impact of hunger on children, Tyson Foods, Inc., made a commitment in 2000 to play a major role in nationwide hunger relief. Six years later, the company has become a leading corporate supporter in the fight against hunger. To date, the company has given nearly 41 million pounds of chicken, beef and pork, anchoring more than 164 million meals prepared for those in need. In its 2006 fiscal year, the company has donated almost 7 million pounds of protein to hunger relief organizations.
In the past six years, the company has also broadened its financial and in-kind support to include nationwide partnerships with leading hunger relief organizations meeting the needs of hungry children including Share Our Strength, America's Second Harvest -- The Nation's Food Bank Network, Lift Up America, and Feed the Children. This summer, Tyson Foods also announced an ambitious new fund-raising program that will allow all Tyson facilities nationwide to raise funds and awareness for the fight against childhood hunger.
"We have a long-term commitment to supporting hunger relief, particularly for children in need," said Richard L. Bond, president and CEO of Tyson Foods. "Our growing partnerships, donations and Team Member involvement efforts are an integral part of our company's commitment to powering communities we serve and improving the quality of life. We want to continue making a positive difference wherever we can."
The Need for Childhood Hunger Relief
The face of hunger in America is seen more often -- and it is increasingly younger. According to the Census Bureau's annual poverty reported released in August 2006, 37 million people or 12.6 percent of the U.S. population lived in poverty in 2005 of which an estimated one-third were children. Generally it is estimated that about 15 percent of a family income goes toward food, but many times parents are forced to make the choice of either paying the rent or providing the next meal for their family.
Hunger Relief Partnerships
America's Second Harvest
Collaborative partnerships between charitable organizations and corporations play an important role in the fight against hunger, according to U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln, co-founder of the U.S. Senate Hunger Caucus. Lincoln and other Hunger Caucus members were on hand in May when Tyson announced a six-million pound donation of chicken to America's Second Harvest. The donation is the largest commitment of protein ever given in the fight against hunger in America.
"We face significant challenges in the fight against hunger," said Senator Lincoln, "I'd like to commend Tyson Foods and America's Second Harvest, who have come together to form this important partnership to fight hunger in America's communities. This collaborative partnership is a great example of how charitable organizations and corporations can come together to gain significant ground towards our shared goal of ending hunger in America."
Tyson Foods and America's Second Harvest also announced in May a three-year national partnership with Tyson Foods pledging at least 10 million pounds of protein to the nationwide food bank network and charitable domestic hunger-relief organization. The network consists of more than 200 food banks that provide food and grocery products to agencies that serve people at the greatest risk of hunger.
"Tyson has helped us meet the needs of hungry Americans from all walks of life -- children, working families, senior citizens, the disabled, the homeless in dozens of communities across the country," said Vicki B. Escarra, president and CEO of America's Second Harvest. "Their partnership has made an immediate impact for good in the fight against hunger, and we look forward to working with them for many years to come."
For access to the almanac or more information on America's Second Harvest Network, visit www.secondharvest.org.
Share Our Strength
Tyson has had a six-year partnership with Share Our Strength, a nonprofit that inspires and organizes individuals and businesses to share their strengths in innovative ways to help end childhood hunger in America. Through Share Our Strength, Tyson donated more than 20 million pounds of protein to agencies and food banks serving those in need. This year Tyson launched a new fundraising program, "Powering the Spirit," to raise funds for Share Our Strength and awareness for the fight against childhood hunger. The program involves local fund-raising through cooking and grilling events, and sales of a specially produced Tyson cookbook featuring recipes from the kitchens of Tyson team members nationwide. Seventy-five percent of the proceeds will stay in the community where the money is raised. For more information on Share Our Strength, visit www.strength.org.
Lift Up America
Tyson Foods has also teamed up for the past two years with Lift Up America, major league sports teams (NFL, NBA, and NHL) and college teams to help bring the gift of food to our nation's less fortunate. The protein Tyson will donate during the 2006 holiday season through Lift Up America events will provide protein for more than 3 million meals. For more information on Lift Up America, visit www.liftupamerica.org.
Tyson Foods, Inc., www.tyson.com, (NYSE:TSN), founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Ark., is the world's largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef, and pork, the second-largest food production company in the Fortune 500 and a member of the S&P 500. The company produces a wide variety of protein-based and prepared food products, which are marketed under the "Powered by Tyson" strategy. Tyson is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves, providing products and service to customers throughout the United States and more than 80 countries. The company has approximately 107,000 Team Members employed at more than 300 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team Members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.