SPRINGDALE, Ark. -- Tyson Foods Inc.'s disaster relief teams served more than 80,000 meals to survivors and rescue workers in the aftermath of last month's devastating tornado in Moore, Okla.
The company's 53-foot Meals that Matter mobile feeding unit left the company's Springdale, Ark. headquarters the day after the tornado hit. Aboard the semi-trailer were thousands of pounds of food, ice, and other essential supplies.
More than 70 Tyson employees from 18 different company locations were involved in the relief effort in Moore, working an estimated 3,000 man hours. They served three meals a day, which included anything from breakfast burritos, omelets, chicken sandwiches, pork loin, hot dogs, hamburgers, and even steak.
The company worked closely with the National Guard and other organizations to distribute food into the affected areas and was one of the primary ice suppliers. At the end of a two week on-the-ground effort, the company served approximately 73,000 pounds of food and 90,000 pounds of ice, a combined value of more than $247,000.
Tyson Team Member Jason Betts, nurse manager from Noel, Mo, was one of the first responders on site in Moore. Betts said,"As a nurse and first responder, I've always cared for other people, and it's an awesome feeling to work for a company that does so much to feed those affected in times of disaster."
Tyson is also providing financial support to the Oklahoma relief effort. The company is matching employee donations up to $100,000 to the American Red Cross.
Tyson Foods, Springdale, Ark., is one of the world's largest processors and marketers of chicken, beef and pork. It produces a variety of protein-based and prepared food products and is a leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves.
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