Record-breaking CDPHP Holiday Appeal nets $34,700 for children in need

Funds will go to the Regional Food Bank's BackPack Program


ALBANY, N.Y., Feb. 24, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CDPHP and the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York are thrilled to announce a record-breaking total for the 2014 CDPHP Holiday Appeal. Dozens of individuals, businesses and organizations helped raise $34,706 to feed hundreds of local schoolchildren. This tops the previous record, set in 2012, by more than $600.

All of the funds go to the Regional Food Bank's BackPack Program, which provides nutritious, easy-to-prepare foods to children in need in grades K-6. Each Friday, these students receive a backpack filled with food to take home over the weekend. The program continues to grow each year, and currently serves nearly 1,900 children across 14 counties.

"Each year, I am always so proud of the generosity of the individuals, businesses, and organizations in our communities. As a physician-led health plan, CDPHP knows how important proper nutrition is to a child's health and well-being. The Regional Food Bank's BackPack Program helps meet that need for so many children in our area," said John D. Bennett, MD, president and CEO, CDPHP. "We encourage folks to continue their support of the Regional Food Bank and its invaluable programs throughout the year."

"The CDPHP Holiday Appeal has become the core funding component for the Regional Food Bank's BackPack Program. CDPHP's corporate match inspires many businesses and individuals to contribute, often on an annual basis," said Mark Quandt, executive director of the Regional Food Bank. "This year's record total will enable us to provide backpacks full of food every weekend throughout the school year. These children will eat better, be healthier, and perform better in school and life because of the generosity of CDPHP and everyone who contributed to the appeal. We are very grateful for this wonderful support."

Organizations that supported the 2014 CDPHP Holiday Appeal include:
A.E. Rosen Electrical                                  
Adirondack Cabling
Anchor Agency                                                    
Apollo Partners N.Y.
CapBen Consulting                                              
CapitalCare Medical Group
German American Club of Albany                            
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Landscape, Inc.                                                  
Ted's Floor Covering
The Walters Company Air Conditioning

During the 14th annual appeal, CDPHP encouraged individuals, organizations, and businesses to donate to the Regional Food Bank during the month of December. CDPHP matched donations, dollar-for-dollar, up to $10,000.

About CDPHP

Established in 1984, CDPHP is a physician-founded, member-focused and community-based not-for-profit health plan that offers high-quality affordable health insurance plans to members in 24 counties throughout New York. CDPHP is also on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Pinterest.

About the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York

The Regional Food Bank has been helping to feed the poor and hungry in our communities since 1982. It is the only organization of its kind in northeastern New York. The Food Bank collects large donations of food from the food industry and distributes it to charitable agencies serving hungry and disadvantaged people in 23 counties.