Lincy Makes Las Vegas Food Bank Possible

LAS VEGAS, April 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --  Feeding America, the nation's leading hunger-relief organization, will present The Lincy Foundation with the "Donor of the Year" Award at the national meeting of the Feeding America network in Las Vegas on Wednesday, April 13.

Since 2007, The Lincy Foundation has granted nearly $60 million to the Feeding America network. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 Feeding America-member food banks support 61,000 local agencies that address hunger in all of its forms.

Since the inception of the Las Vegas-based Three Square Food Bank in 2006, The Lincy Foundation gave the organization in excess of $8.8 million which enabled the fledgling food bank to secure two warehouses as well as fund several vital pilot programs despite a failing economic environment.

"Our network has been incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to benefit from the Lincy Foundation's phenomenal generosity," said Vicki Escarra, President and CEO of Feeding America. "I'm thrilled that we will get the chance to recognize their passion for our mission and celebrate the lasting impact they will have on hungry individuals in communities from coast to coast for years to come."

The Lincy Foundation was formed by Kirk Kerkorian in 1989 in response to the devastating earthquake in Spitak, Armenia. Since its start, the Foundation has provided financial gifts to humanitarian efforts of numerous US charities while continuing to provide support to Armenia. As a hotel and motion picture studio icon in the history of Las Vegas and Hollywood respectively, Kerkorian created tens of thousands of jobs through his business activities and remained committed to helping those less fortunate. Through it all, the Foundation has been a model of humanitarian work in Nevada and beyond.

"It is because of the Lincy Foundations generous donations that Three Square Food Bank was able to open its doors," said Three Square President and CEO Julie Murray. "Three Square staff, supporters and the children, families and seniors we serve can't thank them enough for providing a hunger solution in Southern Nevada."

Through their giving, The Lincy Foundation has enabled Feeding America and member food banks to implement key strategies and programs including the successful rebranding of Feeding America (from America's Second Harvest) to more effectively mobilize the public in the fight against hunger. Since 2008, organizational awareness has almost tripled (to 31 percent), fundraising has grown 56 percent and food sourcing has grown 45 percent.

As a valued local partner in Las Vegas, The Lincy Foundation provided seed funding to form the Three Square Food Bank, which has distributed more than 50 million pounds of food since its formation in 2006.  Additional local support has allowed the fresh produce program at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank to be expanded and provided critical support to build the capacity of the member food banks in Mississippi.

Funding from the Foundation has also significantly expanding the National Produce Program, securing more than 120 million pounds of produce annually.  It also allowed for the research to identify new donated food sources for food banks through investments in Feeding America's Retail Store Donation Program and local distribution agency capacity.  With their help, more than 400 million additional pounds of food is annually secured annually for the Feeding America network.

Note to editors:  The 2011 Donor of the Year Award will be presented by Feeding America President and CEO Vicki Escarra to Lindy Schumacher of the Lincy Foundation at a ceremony on Wednesday, April 13 at 7 pm PT at the Mirage Events Center.  Contact Paula Thornton Greear for interview information or b-roll of the presentation at 312-399-5281 or pgreear@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.

About Three Square Food Bank

Three Square was established to end hunger in the valley by providing wholesome, nutritious food to non-profit organizations that serve a wide range of Southern Nevadans in need. A national model project inspired by Eric Hilton with a grant provided by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Three Square is a community collaborative partnership with the gaming industry, businesses, non-profit agencies, food distributors, higher education institutions, the CCSD, governmental entities, the media and thousands of volunteers to efficiently and effectively serve hope to those in our community struggling with hunger. Three Square currently provides more than 22 million pounds of food and grocery product – the equivalent of nearly 16 million meals – per year to more than 600 Program Partners including non-profit and faith-based organizations, schools and feeding sites throughout Southern Nevada. Three Square is a member of the Feeding America network of food banks. For additional information visit www.threesquare.org.

Contact: Phil Zepeda
pzepeda@feedingamerica.org
312-622-2640

Cheryl Bella
cbella@threesquare.org
702-499-3930

SOURCE Feeding America