Feeding America and the Missouri Food Bank Association Respond to Disaster Needs in Joplin

CHICAGO, May 25, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Feeding America and the Missouri Food Bank Association have joined forces to help provide food and groceries to the people of Joplin, Missouri, most of whom have been without electricity and running water since being hit by a massive tornado on May 22.

Feeding America is a network of more than 200 food banks, including Ozarks Food Harvest in Springfield, Missouri and five other members of the Missouri Food Bank Association.  The network members are collaborating and sharing resources to address both the immediate and long-term needs of the community.

"With no power in thousands of homes, the refrigerated and frozen food supplies of thousands of families have spoiled.  Many area residents will depend on the food bank and other local resources to help provide them with food, water and other grocery products while they get back on their feet," said Bart Brown, President and CEO of Ozarks Food Harvest.  "After a disaster like this, almost everyone affected is at risk of living with hunger, or on the brink of it, at least for a short time."

Truckloads of food, water, batteries and other supplies valued at more than $650,000 will be distributed at mobile pantry sites throughout the area.  Meanwhile, Feeding America food banks are contributing additional supplies that Ozarks Food Harvest will warehouse at smaller staging areas in Carthage and Independence, Kansas, so that the flow of products to Joplin will be smooth and constant.

"Whenever  a disaster strikes, our network immediately  pulls together to provide emergency food, water and other grocery products to those directly affected by the disaster, as well as the relief workers and volunteers," said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America.  "Because of our strong network we have been ready for the many natural disasters that have hit our nation this year in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and now in Missouri, as they work on rebuilding their lives."

Escarra also noted that many people will be in need of food assistance for the foreseeable future, including some who have never needed to ask for charitable food assistance. "We anticipate a dramatic increase in need for food in the Joplin area for the weeks and months ahead. We are working to ensure that our food banks will have a full supply of nutritious and healthy food for those in need."

Feeding America needs up to $1.5 million in funds to secure and distribute non-perishable food items that can be consumed without electricity, cleaning supplies, garbage bags and personal hygiene items. Please visit www.feedingamerica.org.

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, our 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 61,000 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 us on Facebook at facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow our news on Twitter at twitter.com/FeedingAmerica.

CONTACT
Paula Thornton Greear
312-641-5663
[email protected]

SOURCE Feeding America