Community FoodBank of New Jersey Receives Donation of Ultra-Large Capacity Refrigerator Stocked With 47 Gallons of Milk From LG Electronics

HILLSIDE, N.J., Feb. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Community FoodBank of New Jersey announced today that LG Electronics USA, with nearby headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, has donated a new state-of-the-art ultra-large capacity four-door French-door refrigerator stocked with 47 gallons of milk to help feed the hungry and provide additional refrigeration space for the organization to store food donations.

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"While a great deal of food is donated and distributed during the holiday season, the need for donations remains high as we continue into the new year," explains Tim Vogel, Director of Food Sourcing, Community FoodBank of New Jersey. "Higher food costs and other financial hardships are causing a greater number of people than usual to seek food assistance, including a growing number of unemployed residents, working poor families and seniors on limited incomes. We appreciate LG's donation – both the generous quantity of milk that will help feed many mouths and the state-of-the-art refrigerator that will help arm us with right equipment to better serve more food to those in need."  

The Community FoodBank of New Jersey has more than 20,000 square feet of refrigerated space, relying on significant donations of fresh foods. LG's donation of its ultra-large capacity French-door refrigerator will offer additional storage for perishable food donations, as well as extra nourishment for those in need, by providing ample space to keep a variety of donated food items fresh and conveniently organized for representatives from the pantries, shelters and soup kitchens receiving sustenance from the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. The refrigerator includes two bottom freezer drawers to store larger items and items that require longer-term storage and is energy-efficient. The Energy-Star rated refrigerator has a capacity of nearly 28 cubic feet, and offers the more usable refrigerator shelf space that can accommodate up to 47 gallons of milk, which was also included in LG's donation.

Why milk? According to the Dairy Counsel, one glass of milk alone contributes to the daily recommended intake of important nutrients for all age groups. Consumption of dairy products has been associated with numerous health benefits including bone and dental health, weight loss, and reduction of blood pressure and has even been proven to reduce the risk of certain cancers and development of type 2 diabetes.

"In today's economy, more and more people rely on organizations like the Community FoodBank of New Jersey to help feed their families," said John Weinstock, Vice President of Marketing, LG Electronics USA. "At LG, we are constantly aiming to provide 'Something Better' to consumers. We felt that a donation of a fully stocked ultra-large capacity refrigerator would be an excellent way for us to make both an immediate and long term contribution to assist in the fight against hunger and poverty in New Jersey, as we offer a large quantity of nutritious fare, as well as something to help the organization continue to provide fresh food to families in need."

The Community FoodBank of New Jersey is the state's largest distributor of food/groceries to nonprofit agencies. The Community FoodBank helps feed more than 900,000 people via 1,600 member agencies in 18 of New Jersey's 21 counties. The organization closed 2010 having distributed 37 million pounds of food. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 10 percent of New Jersey households are food insecure, with many of these families forced to choose between paying for food and paying their bills. Additionally, the New Jersey Department of Human Services reported that as of October 2010, people receiving food stamps increased nearly 25 percent from the previous year, and for many, local food banks have replaced, or at least supplemented, grocery stores.

About LG Electronics USA

LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a global force and technology leader in consumer electronics, home appliances and mobile communications. In the United States, LG Electronics sells a range of stylish and innovative home entertainment products, mobile phones, home appliances, commercial displays, air conditioning systems and solar energy solutions, all under LG's "Life's Good" marketing theme. For more information, please visit www.lg.com.

About the Community FoodBank of New Jersey

The Community FoodBank of New Jersey, a member of Feeding America, distributed 35 million pounds of food in the last year to people in need in 18 of New Jersey's 21 counties. Its staff and volunteers fight hunger and poverty not only through the distribution of food and grocery products, but by education and training, and by creating new programs to meet the needs of low-income people. The Community FoodBank of New Jersey has earned Charity Navigator's highest honor, a four-star rating.

SOURCE LG Electronics USA, Inc.