TULSA, Okla., Dec. 18, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today Tyson Foods (NYSE:TSN) delivered a truckload of food to Tulsa, to be divided between the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma and the Salvation Army, to assist in holiday hunger relief efforts. The 16 ton donation is part of a one million pound commitment Tyson made to fight hunger nationwide during the 2008 holiday season.
During 2008, Tyson donated approximately 428,000 pounds of food to hunger relief in Oklahoma, primarily through the state's two Feeding America food banks.
"We've continued in the fight against hunger in this country for nearly a decade now and we're hearing the call from across the nation," says Dick Bond, president and CEO of Tyson Foods. "At Tyson our goal is to support families through food donations and to encourage other companies and individuals to identify ways they can share resources and make an impact in the fight against hunger. We are honored to be able to help our neighbors in Oklahoma during the holiday season."
More than 36.2 million Americans, including 12.4 million children, are food insecure. Food insecurity in the United States is rising rapidly with the downturn in the economy and employment. Feeding America food banks across the country are experiencing significant increases in requests for food assistance, especially during the holiday season. Click http://feedingamerica.org/newsroom/press-release-archive/usda-hunger-statistics.aspx for more information on rising food insecurity.
Tyson Foods is the world's largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef and pork. As part of their ongoing commitment to hunger relief, Tyson Foods has donated more than 54 million pounds of protein to local food banks since 2000. Click http://hungerrelief.tyson.com/ for more information on Tyson Hunger Relief.
Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN), founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, 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 and is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves. Tyson provides 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. Visit www.tyson.com for more details.
The Tyson Foods, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3224