To support the mobile pantry effort, in [image-nocss] addition to providing millions of pounds of food, Kraft is donating $4.5 million to Feeding America over the next three years to purchase up to 25 mobile pantries. Over the last 25 years, Kraft has contributed $770 million in funding and food to support Feeding America and other hunger relief initiatives worldwide.
"The San Antonio Food Bank's mission is to fight hunger and feed hope in Southwest Texas through a variety of different distribution strategies. This new mobile pantry truck will allow us to expand on our Food Fair model and bring more food to the table of those families in need," said Eric S. Cooper, the organization's executive director.
"The face of hunger in America is changing," said Irene Rosenfeld, chairman and CEO of Northfield, Ill.-based Kraft Foods. "For more than 25 years, in partnership with Feeding America, we've made America's favorite brands available to those in need. Now we're building on our long-standing support with a new fleet of mobile pantries to reach even more hungry families."
Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America, added, "Hunger in America is increasing at an alarming rate. For more than a quarter century, Kraft Foods has consistently provided the resources and innovation to help fight hunger in the United States. In these difficult economic times, it's more important than ever to reach the hungry. Kraft has helped us fund a creative program to serve those most in need. Together, we're feeding America, one meal and one mile at a time."
The announcement comes at a time of increased concern given the recent economic downturn. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that food insecurityrecurring lack of access to adequate amounts of nutritious foodis experienced by more than 35 million Americans.
A case study and poll commissioned by Kraft Foods (click here) and http://www.feedingamerica.org/kraftfoods released by Feeding America found a high rate of food insecurity across diverse economic brackets. Nearly half of the 1,000 people surveyed said economic changes have threatened their ability to provide their families with balanced, nutritious meals from a range of food groups including fresh fruits, vegetables and proteins. Almost 45% said recent economic changes have threatened their ability to provide enough food for their families. And 56% of those making $25,000 or less a year said they are more likely to use a food pantry.
The San Antonio Food Bank works with more than 400 agencies to help feed the hungry throughout 16 counties in southwest Texas. The average rate of poverty in the San Antonio Food Bank's service area is 20.7%. One in five adults struggle with hunger and food insecurity and one in three children go to bed hungry each night. Because of this great need for food, the food bank has increased the amount of food made available to low-income families through its agencies and programs by 60% since 2001.
The Kraft Mobile Pantry, literally a pantry on wheels, will help feed thousands of Americans at risk of hunger by bringing food directly to communities that are currently underserved by food pantries, soup kitchens and other emergency-feeding programs. The initiative builds on the success of a Chicago-area pilot program funded by Kraft Foods in recent years. By making an average of three trips a week, each vehicle can distribute the equivalent of 1.1 million meals annually to Americans who might otherwise go hungry. Over the next three years, as these vehicles are deployed across the country, these mobile pantries will provide more than 50 million meals to families in need.
In addition to San Antonio, during the first year of the program, mobile pantries will be delivered to New York; Chicago; Madison, Wis.; Central Valley (Fresno area), Calif.; Cincinnati and Newberry, S.C.
Many food distribution agencies, including those receiving mobile pantries in the first year of the program, are more than 120 miles from the nearest food bank. Even in urban settings, there is an increase in "food deserts"places where there are no grocery stores or supermarkets within walking distance. And, many people are newly in need of food assistance and don't know where to find help. These brightly colored, beverage-style trucks will directly provide hungry families with balanced meal options including, Kraft Macaroni and Cheese and Oscar Mayer meats, along with fresh fruits, vegetables and dairy products. Stops will be made at neighborhood food pantries, soup kitchens, churches, schools or parking lots.
In addition to the mobile pantry announcement, Kraft and Feeding America are encouraging others to get involved through the new Fill-A-Bowl, Feed America campaign launched by Feeding America today. Donations can be made online at www.feedingamerica.org/fillabowlfeedamerica. As the program's inaugural partner, Kraft will match consumer donations dollar for dollar up to $200,000. With Kraft's match, each dollar donated by consumers will enable Feeding America to fill 32 bowls for hungry families. Kraft's match alone will help provide up to 3.2 million meals this holiday season.
Also, Kraft employees have kicked off the effort by making donations to Fill-A-Bowl, Feed America, supported by a 2:1 Kraft match. Earlier this week, the company launched new efforts, such as Dollars for Doers and an enhanced matching gifts program, to engage more employees in community activities across the globe.
Since 1997, Kraft has provided more than 1 billion servings of fresh food worldwide. Around the world, Kraft contributes approximately $100 million annually in food and money to community organizations in more than 130 countries.
Feeding America's network members supply food to more than 25 million Americans each year, including 9 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks operate 63,000 agencies that address hunger through emergency food assistance and programs.
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