Cargill Grant Program Helps Combat Hunger Across the Globe

MINNEAPOLIS, May 24 /PRNewswire/ -- At a time when hunger relief organizations are facing increased demand for their services, Cargill has donated $3.3 million to combat hunger across the globe as part of its "Nourishing People" challenge to its business units.  

On October 16, 2009 (World Food Day), Cargill challenged its businesses to reach out to local hunger relief organizations to address immediate needs and provide long-term solutions to hunger. From helping food banks in the United States restock their shelves during the holiday season, to building school kitchens in Honduras, the program resulted in $3.3 million in food and monetary donations.

"The need for hunger relief in our communities is urgent. We called this the Nourishing People challenge because as a food company we are committed to nourishing people around the world and using our leadership in food and agriculture to tackle the complex challenges of nutrition and hunger," said Mary Thompson, president of Cargill Kitchen Solutions, the largest contributor of eggs to Feeding America.

Feeding America is the leading hunger relief organization in the United States. Through the Nourishing People challenge, Cargill contributed more than $1.1 million in new funding to organizations affiliated with Feeding America. This included supplying Feeding America's National Produce Program with more than 495,000 pounds of egg products from Cargill Kitchen Solutions.

"Feeding America is incredibly grateful to Cargill for supporting our work to end hunger in America," said Maura Daly, vice president of corporate partnerships for Feeding America. "The unfortunate reality is that more people are hungry in America right now than any other time in our recent history. However, the generous support of Cargill will help us bring hope to more than 37 million men, women and children this year in communities across the United States."

When asked about the impact Cargill's donation will have on a local level, Keith Williamson, regional director of the Second Harvest Foodbank of Clark, Champaign and Logan Counties in Southwestern Ohio stated, "We'll not only be able to provide more food for the people who need relief from hunger, but we're going to help very worthy agencies avoid closing their doors because of a lack of funds, at a time when our communities need them the most."

In Honduras, Cargill worked with longtime partner CARE, a leading global humanitarian organization that fights global poverty by empowering women and girls, to build kitchens and enhanced storage in 15 schools that will impact more than 5,000 children. In addition, Cargill will provide products and volunteer support so the children have greater access to healthy food.

"CARE is fortunate to have such a committed and innovative partner as Cargill," said Cathy Woolard, CARE executive vice president for Global Advocacy & External Relations. "Cargill's contributions extend far beyond the significant financial investment the company has made in CARE's work around the world. Cargill also engages its employees and stakeholders to help magnify the impact of their commitment to give back to communities. CARE's goal of ending global hunger is aided – and thousands of lives improved – every time committed corporate partners such as Cargill lift the spirits and resources of the poor women, children and families with whom we work. We are grateful for their support and involvement in the fight against hunger wherever it is found."

The United Nations estimates that today 1.02 billion people are malnourished. That means almost one-sixth of all humanity suffers from hunger. To learn more about how to help, visit www.feedingamerica.org and www.care.org.

About Cargill

Cargill is an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products and services.  Founded in 1865, the privately held company employs 138,000 people in 67 countries.  Cargill helps customers succeed through collaboration and innovation, and is committed to applying its global knowledge and experience to help meet economic, environmental and social challenges wherever it does business.  For more information visit www.cargill.com

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 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 http://www.feedingamerica.org. Find Feeding America on Facebook at facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow its news on Twitter at twitter.com/FeedingAmerica.

About CARE

CARE fights root causes of poverty in the world's poorest communities. CARE places special focus on working alongside poor women because, equipped with the proper resources, women have the power to help whole families and entire communities escape poverty. In over 70 countries, women are at the heart of CARE's community-based efforts to improve education, prevent the spread of HIV, increase access to water and sanitation, expand economic opportunity and protect natural resources. Each year, CARE helps tens of millions of people around the world effect real, positive changes in their lives.

SOURCE Cargill