Cargill Donates $135,000 to Fight Hunger in Ohio

SIDNEY, Ohio, July 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Cargill announced it donated a total of $135,000 to 15 hunger relief organizations across Ohio. All of the nonprofit organizations that received funding are members of the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks (OASHF) and affiliated with Feeding America, the nation's leading hunger-relief charity.

Each organization used the funding to meet the growing need for hunger relief across the state. For example, in Sidney, Agape Distribution used the donation to support its senior meals program and mobile pantry; in Gypsum, the Church of Truth Ministries purchased food for its pantry and soup kitchen; and in Shiloh, the Plymouth Shiloh Food Pantry purchased a commercial cooler to help distribute fresh produce.

"All of our member organizations are facing an increased demand for their services," said Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, executive director of OASHF. "Cargill's ongoing support has helped them better serve people in need in our communities during a time when all of our resources have been stretched."

Cargill businesses across Ohio have a long history of supporting hunger relief efforts with funds and volunteer hours. Throughout 2010, Cargill donated $382,000 to OASHF member organizations, and Cargill employees regularly donate their time volunteering at food banks, pantries and soup kitchens. Similar contributions and volunteer efforts are expected to continue throughout the current year.

"Hunger is a problem that is too complex for one organization to solve alone," said Stacie Homan, appropriations chair for Cargill's community involvement team in Sidney.  "As a food company, Cargill has an important role to play. Together with our community partners we help make a difference for Ohioans in need."

Other Ohio organizations that received funding for hunger relief programs include Agape Ministries in St. Marys, Clinton County Community Action Program in Wilmington, Community Action Committee of Pike County in Piketon, Community Care Center in Manchester, Church First Place Food Pantry in Troy, Highland County Community Action Organization in Hillsboro, Holy Angels Soup Kitchen in Sidney, Lutheran Community Services in Bellefontaine, Mercy Unlimited in Wapakoneta, Morgan County United Ministries in Malta, St. James Food Pantry in Picqua and United Christian Services of Indian Lake Food Pantry in Russells Point.

About Cargill Community Giving

Cargill gives back to communities by contributing 2 percent of its global pre-tax earnings (based on a three-year trailing average.) Cargill donated $58.2 million in 50 countries during its 2009 fiscal year, providing support to organizations,  projects  and programs that fall into three focus areas:  nutrition and health; education; and environmental stewardship. For more information on Cargill's commitment to corporate responsibility visit: http://www.cargill.com/corporate-responsibility/index.jsp

About the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks

OASHF is Ohio's largest charitable response to hunger, representing 12 foodbanks and 3,000 member charities including food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters. Part of the Feeding America network of foodbanks, last year OASHF and its member providers distributed 135 million pounds of food and grocery items.

About Feeding America

Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity, its network members supply food to more than 37 million Americans each year, including 14 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks support 63,000 agencies that address hunger in all of its forms. For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community and across the country, visit www.feedingamerica.org. Find Feeding America on Facebook at facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow its news on Twitter at twitter.com/FeedingAmerica.

SOURCE Cargill