Feeding America Food Banks Ready For Hurricane Irene

Available for interviews:
Vicki Escarra, President and CEO of Feeding America
Patrick Crawford, Director of Disaster Relief at Feeding America  
Susan Cutter, Director of Hazards and Vulnerability Research Institute at University of South Carolina

CHICAGO, Aug. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As Hurricane Irene approaches the eastern seaboard, the Feeding America network of food banks and agencies is prepared to deliver truckloads of food, water and supplies to communities in need.  In times of disaster, Feeding America supports immediate and long-term recovery for individuals and families in need of food assistance.

"Our food banks are grounded in their communities, providing emergency food assistance to people in need every day of the year," said Vicki Escarra, President and CEO of Feeding America.  "We have the infrastructure and expertise to quickly and efficiently get food and supplies to food to communities affected by disaster.  We deploy our resources and ramp up operations significantly to address surges in demand during times of crisis."

Information and resources are available to residents in Irene's path by visiting www.FeedingAmerica.org/disaster or to find a food bank near you, please click here.

In the past five years, the Feeding America network and its donors have mobilized more than 100 million pounds of emergency food and disaster-relief supplies to individuals and families affected by disasters.

"In times of disasters, the most socially vulnerable populations have the greatest need for assistance, yet are often unable to secure it.  These residents may not know where the local food banks are, or lack transportation to get there," said Susan Cutter, Carolina Distinguished Professor of Geography and Director of the Hazards & Vulnerability Research Institute, University of South Carolina.  "It becomes critically important then that organizations like Feeding America reach out to these communities to deliver food and supplies where and when they are needed."

Vicki Escarra, President and CEO of Feeding America and Patrick Crawford, Director of Disaster Relief at Feeding America are available for interviews. Professor Susan Cutter, an expert in disaster relief, is available to provide more information about the challenges communities face when preparing for emergency needs of low-income populations in response to disasters like Hurricane Irene.

To donate money to help deliver food and supplies to those affected by disasters, like Hurricane Irene, please click here.

If you are a member of the press and you would like more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Aaron Gannon at SunshineSachs, 212-691-2800, [email protected]

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.

SOURCE Feeding America