SPRINGDALE, Ark. – Sept. 2, 2015 – After donating 100 million pounds of food over the past 15 years, Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN) is making a new commitment to hunger relief. The company announced today it is pledging $50 million in cash and in-kind donations over the next five years in the fight against hunger, with a special focus on innovative initiatives at the local level.
This commitment builds on Tyson’s long partnership with hunger relief organizations, including Share Our Strength, Feeding America, and the Food Research and Action Center.
“We know we can’t solve hunger alone,” said Donnie Smith, president and CEO of Tyson Foods. “It’s the organizations and heroes in communities all over the country who are doing the real work. We’re proud to support those who are fighting hunger across the country and shine a spotlight on individuals making a big difference in innovative ways.”
As part of its five-year commitment, Tyson will recognize individuals on the frontlines of fighting hunger in their communities, like Lola Stephens-Bell of Austin, Texas. In a recent documentary-style film, Tyson follows Lola through her weekly routine: running her restaurant where she also serves free meals out the back door, and closing the restaurant four days a week to drive meals to underserved people in Austin.
“We want to tell the stories of people like Lola, people doing extraordinary things where they live and work,” said Smith. “Lola herself has faced hunger and homelessness in the past, and she knows the struggle of feeding a family firsthand. Her hard work helps us realize that hunger faces many of our friends and neighbors, and inspires us to take action.”
Meet Lola Stephens-Bell, touching hearts through her soul food: www.TysonHungerRelief.com
Tyson aims to empower individuals and organizations to better serve the hungry in their communities and further efforts to find innovative approaches and mobilize action to alleviate hunger.
An Effort 15 Years in the Making
The company has long been a champion of efforts to end hunger; this year marks the 15th anniversary of Tyson’s support through its KNOW Hunger initiative.
Today’s announcement comes on the heels of another milestone in the fight against hunger. Since 2000, Tyson has donated more than 100 million pounds of food to hunger organizations across the U.S. To help reach this milestone, this summer Tyson delivered 50 truckloads of food (over 2 million pounds) to hunger nonprofits across the nation – the company’s largest single in-kind donation to date.
About Hunger in America
According to the USDA, more than 49 million Americans live in food-insecure households, meaning they lack access to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members.
Raising awareness of hunger is important. While nearly half of American adults say that hunger in the “United States at large” is a serious problem, only 24 percent of respondents in a national survey believed it was a problem in their own communities. Yet food insecurity affects every community in America.
About Tyson Foods
Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN), with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is one of the world's largest food companies with leading brands such as Tyson®, Jimmy Dean®, Hillshire Farm®, Sara Lee®, Ball Park®, Wright®, Aidells® and State Fair®. It’s a recognized market leader in chicken, beef and pork as well as prepared foods, including bacon, breakfast sausage, turkey, lunchmeat, hot dogs, pizza crusts and toppings, tortillas and desserts. The company supplies retail and foodservice customers throughout the United States and approximately 130 countries. Tyson Foods was founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson, whose family has continued to lead the business with his son, Don Tyson, guiding the company for many years and grandson, John H. Tyson, serving as the current chairman of the board of directors. The company currently has approximately 113,000 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 Foods 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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Contact: Krista Cupp, 479-290-5195, krista.cupp@tyson.com