Second Harvest Foodbank: Receives grant from Kerry for Beloit Mobile Pantry Program

CONTACT: Kris Tazelaar, Communications Manager, Second Harvest Foodbank, 608-216-7206, krist@shfbmadison.org

SECOND HARVEST FOODBANK RECEIVES GRANT FOR BELOIT MOBILE PANTRY PROGRAM

MADISON, Wis., September 10, 2014 – In recognition of September being Hunger Action Month, Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin announced today it has received a $10,000 gift from Kerry to fund two Mobile Pantry Program distributions in Beloit. Through two distributions approximately 1200 households will receive a week of free groceries.

“Second Harvest Foodbank is grateful for Kerry’s support of the Mobile Pantry Program in Beloit,” says Dan Stein, President/CEO for Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin. “Mobile Pantries are a vital source of a variety of types of food including fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy to individuals and families in Beloit who struggle to afford the basics of a healthy diet.”

“Kerry is very excited to support Second Harvest and the Mobile Pantry Program,” says Jim Egan, Director of Community Relations for Kerry North America. “As part of our mission to help delight and nourish consumers across the globe, we are pleased to aid Second Harvest in their pursuit to provide nutritious meals for families in our community.”

Second Harvest Foodbank operates two Mobile Pantries in Beloit, in partnership with the Masonic Center. Each month, these mobile pantries together serve an average of 1200 families 54,000 pounds of food. Overall, Second Harvest Foodbank’s Mobile Pantry Program operates 30 sites each month.

About Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin

Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin, southwestern Wisconsin’s largest hunger relief organization, is a non-profit organization that is committed to ending hunger in 16 southwestern Wisconsin counties through community partnerships. By focusing on a multipronged approach that includes food distribution, increasing participation in public and private food programs, and mobilizing the public, it serves nearly 141,000 people who struggle with hunger each year; 43% of whom are children. From July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014 Second Harvest Foodbank, together with its more than 225 partner agencies and programs, provided 12.6 million meals to those facing hunger. It is one of 200 members of Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity. For more information, visit SecondHarvestMadison.org.