Feeding America, Bank of America Team Up to Fight Hunger with 2:1 Match

CHICAGO, Sept. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Feeding America and Bank of America today announced the kickoff of the highly successful Give A Meal program. The annual giving campaign that has resulted in more than 100 million meals for families and individuals in need across the country with over 40 million meals coming in just through last year's program.  The initiative has proven to be one of the most successful for the charitable organization.

For every $1 donated through Give A Meal, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation will give $2 more, up to $1.5 million - giving donors the opportunity to triple their impact. In addition, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation is making a separate $1 million contribution to Feeding America's national office.

"We are fortunate to have a great partner in Bank of America fighting side-by-side with us to end hunger," said Bob Aiken, CEO of Feeding America, the nation's largest hunger-relief organization. "Their commitment to hunger runs deep – from their headquarters to their local offices to their customers. We know we can't end hunger alone. Only working together can we end hunger and make sure that all of our friends and neighbors have enough food."

The program kicks off today, during Hunger Action Month, and runs through December 31. Individuals can donate to the campaign online by visiting feedingamerica.org/bankofamerica or bankofamerica.com/give, to help support their local food bank or Feeding America nationally.

Give A Meal had one of its most successful years in 2013, when nearly 150 food banks received funds through the program. Bank of America employees also donated time to Feeding America and its various network members and service providers – over 11,000 employees donated more than 61,000 volunteer hours last year alone in support of food access and hunger-related efforts across the country.

"Families shouldn't have to choose between buying food and putting money towards housing or medical care, yet many face that trade-off every day," said Kerry Sullivan, president of the Bank of America Charitable Foundation. "Fighting hunger is central to our efforts to lift families out of poverty and bring economic stability to our communities. Give A Meal is one way we can help create a successful path to making financial futures better."

The program launches at a critical time when, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, approximately 15 percent of American households are struggling with hunger. About 1 in 7 people in the US struggles with hunger, according to the USDA.

ABOUT FEEDING AMERICA

Feeding America is a nationwide network of 200 food banks that leads the fight against hunger in the United States. Together, we provide food to more than 46 million people through food pantries and meal programs in communities throughout America. Feeding America also supports programs that improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry.  Individuals, charities, businesses and government all have a role in ending hunger. Donate. Volunteer. Advocate. Educate.  Together we can solve hunger. Visit http://www.feedingamerica.org/. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FeedingAmerica.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Lucio Guerrero
Feeding America
[email protected] 
312.629.7219

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SOURCE Feeding America