LOS ANGELES, Dec. 1, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tyson Foods, Inc., donated 20,000 pounds of chicken to the Veterans' Holiday Celebration (VHC) and Los Angeles Regional Food Bank as part of an effort to feed people in need and show its commitment for hiring military veterans, reservists and their family members on Wednesday.
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The donation was made in conjunction with the 19th annual VHC celebration. Approximately 4,000 veterans will be fed at the event December 4, held at the West Los Angeles Veterans Administration (VA) campus. The remaining donation has been allocated to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. All told, the donation is the equivalent of 80,000 meals.
"We're excited about this donation of protein from Tyson Foods," said Barry Gershenson, executive director of VHC. "We appreciate Tyson supporting our country's military veterans and also promoting hunger awareness in our community."
On the first Sunday of every December, the VA of Greater Los Angeles, VA Voluntary Service, more than 100 restaurants, local businesses and the community at large, along with more than 700 volunteers hold a Veterans' Holiday Celebration event with the objective of providing a memorable meal, gifts and entertainment, as well as much needed appreciation. More information can be found at www.vhcevent.org.
The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank distributes more than 62 million pounds of food annually throughout its service area. One million Los Angeles residents, including children and seniors, receive emergency food assistance each year from the food bank and its 900 member agencies.
"This is a very generous donation from Tyson," said Michael Flood, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. "High quality proteins, especially chicken, are an important nutritional component for our inventory and are in high demand by our agencies and clients. We are truly grateful to Tyson Foods' commitment and support of our fight against hunger in Los Angeles."
Earlier this year, Tyson launched the "Know Hunger" campaign to raise hunger awareness. As part of the campaign, the company released the results of a survey which found that one in four Americans is worried about having enough money to put food on the table in the next year. Another key finding is that many Americans are unaware of how serious hunger is in their own communities.
"Since we're in the food business it makes sense for our company to donate protein to feed people in need; however, we also believe in raising hunger awareness," said Donnie Smith, president and CEO of Tyson Foods. "We're encouraging people across the nation, including our own team members, to step forward and get involved in the fight against hunger."
Tyson Foods has fought hunger in the U.S. for a decade, donating more than 82 million pounds of protein, or the equivalent of 328 million meals. The company partners with Feeding America, Food Research and Action Center, Share Our Strength, Lift Up America and the League of United Latin American Citizens to raise awareness and help feed the hungry across the nation. For more information on Tyson's hunger relief efforts, go to: http://www.tysonhungerrelief.com/
Tyson Foods Support for Military Veterans
Tyson employs about 3,000 military veterans and is part of the American Logistics Association, which recently committed, on behalf of its members, to hiring 25,000 veterans and their family members during the next two years. Through brokers, Tyson also employs more than 500 military family members and veterans who help stock Tyson products at military commissaries. The company regularly makes a concerted effort to hire junior military officers who have received training from an outside agency on how to transition from the military to the business world.
"In my experience, current and former military personnel are quality hires for many positions at Tyson Foods," said Russell Tooley, Tyson Foods senior vice president of corporate and international human resources. "They're well-trained and frequently have developed leadership skills. They also fit well with our culture, which places emphasis on honesty, accountability and dedication."
Another way Tyson Foods supports the military is by providing differential pay for all employees called to active military duty, making up the difference between military compensation and pay they normally receive from Tyson. Since September 11, 2001, Tyson has provided $2 million in differential pay to almost 400 employees.
Other ways the company supports the U.S. military include:
- Since 2009, Tyson Foods has been a major sponsor and coordinator for Northwest Arkansas Honor Flight, which flies World War II veterans free of charge to Washington D.C., to spend a day visiting the World War II Memorial and other military memorials.
- Tyson Foods has a Veterans Business Resource Group for military veterans who work at the company's corporate headquarters. The group gives the veterans employed by Tyson the opportunity to become active in community initiatives like Honor Flight, and it is also involved in sending holiday care packages to fellow employees, family members and friends serving the U.S. military in the Middle East.
- Tyson has been a winner of the National Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Freedom Award, primarily because of the company's differential pay policy.
- The company is one of the leading suppliers of food to the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) and has been helping feed the U.S. military and their families for more than 50 years.
- In recent years, Tyson Foods has also provided food for the Wounded Warrior Picnics at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and for certain welcome home parties for soldiers returning from overseas assignments.
Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN), founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is one of the world's largest processors and marketers 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 services to customers throughout the United States and more than 130 countries. The company has approximately 115,000 Team Members employed at more than 400 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.
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