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CHARLOTTE, NC (September 30, 2009) – Today, Loaves & Fishes will be the beneficiary of a sizeable food donation from Tyson Foods Inc. and Charlotte-based Compass Group: over 38,000 pounds of Tyson chicken products.
A tractor-trailer truck filled with 1,892 cases of Tyson chicken products will be delivered to the Loaves & Fishes warehouse on Wednesday, September 30 at 11:30am. The warehouse is located at 648-C Griffith Road.
After a busy summer, this donation could not be coming at a better time for Loaves & Fishes. “We have seen a 34% increase in the number of people fed this summer versus last summer, and now we are preparing to head into the busy holiday season,” explains Beverly Howard, Executive Director of Loaves & Fishes. "In 2008, Loaves & Fishes fed 84,045 people in Mecklenburg County, and we expect to provide a week’s work’s of groceries to 100,000 people by year’s end. We would not be able to serve this increased number of people without the strong support of our friends at Compass Group, and now Tyson Foods."
Tyson is Compass’s primary chicken supplier. Compass Group’s purchasing arm, Foodbuy, worked with Tyson to arrange this donation, in consideration of the critical need in the community and both companies’ commitment to corporate social responsibility. Compass Group was the first corporate donor to Loaves and Fishes in 1997, which established a twelve-year partnership, now stronger than ever.
“Our associates have embraced Loaves & Fishes for many years; collaborating with Tyson to help those who may be in desperate need has been a blessing,” said Vince Berkeley, chief diversity officer for Compass Group.
“Hunger relief is the primary national philanthropic focus of Tyson Foods,” stated Bernard Leonard, Tyson Foodservice Group Vice-President. “We’re honored to be able to make this donation in North Carolina, where we have almost five thousand team members and incredibly valuable partners like Compass Group.”
About Tyson
Tyson Foods, Inc. [NYSE: TSN], founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is the world’s largest processor and marketer 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 service to customers throughout the United States and more than 90 countries. The company has approximately 107,000. Team Members employed at more than 300 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. Visit www.tyson.com for more details For nine years, Tyson has strengthened its ongoing commitment to be a leader and supporter of hunger-relief initiatives. Since 2000, the company has donated more than 68 million pounds of protein products to more than 950 hunger-relief agencies nationwide.
About Compass Group
Based in Charlotte NC, Compass Group North America is the leading foodservice and support services company with $9 billion in revenues in 2008. With 388,000 associates worldwide, its parent company, UK-based Compass Group PLC had revenues of ₤11 billion in the year to September 30, 2008.
About Loaves & Fishes
Loaves & Fishes provides a week’s worth of nutritious groceries to individuals and families who are experiencing a crisis. Loaves & Fishes operates a network of 18 food pantries located throughout Mecklenburg County and in its 34 year history has never had to turn anyone away for lack of food.
Contacts:
Loaves & Fishes: Beverly Howard, (704) 523-4333, beverly@loavesandfishes.org
Compass Group: Sarah Hada, (704) 328-1365, sarah.hada@compass-usa.com
Tyson: Gary Mickelson, (479) 290-6111 gary.mickelson@tyson.com
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