CHICAGO, April 30, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- During the last few days, strong winds, large hail and more than 60 tornados have caused widespread damage across the Midwest, Southeast and Mid-South. The storms hit communities in Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Mississippi, North Carolina and Tennessee.

In response, the Feeding America Disaster Services team is working with local member food banks to supply residents in those communities with emergency-relief food, water and groceries.

Feeding America is the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization, providing food and groceries to low-income Americans through a network of more than 200 food banks. When a disaster strikes, Feeding America is also one of the first organizations to respond. The network of food banks provide emergency food and supplies through shelters and programs operated by the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army and other disaster-relief organizations. Our food banks work to provide long-term disaster assistance to support the recovery of families and communities in the weeks and months following a disaster. Learn more about Feeding America Disaster Relief.

Thus far, the Feeding America network has mobilized to move water and handheld snacks to food banks in the areas where the storms hit. The organization will continue to monitor the situation and will move additional product as it is needed.

Feeding America's thoughts are with those who lost their lives, lost their homes or businesses, and all who were affected by these tragic and heedless disasters.

The following Feeding America food banks are engaged with relief efforts in their service areas due to severe weather this week:

• Arkansas Food Bank
• Community Food Bank of Central Alabama
• Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma
• Food Bank of North Alabama
• Kansas Food Bank
• Mid-South Food Bank (Tennessee)
• The Food Bank of the Albemarle (North Carolina)
• Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee

Feeding America's prepares for disasters by pre-staging relief water, food items and grocery products throughout the nation. Feeding America will remain active in relief efforts with other leading disaster partners in providing service. 

To learn more about Feeding America's efforts, or to make a financial donation, 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:
Ross Fraser
312.641.6422

SOURCE Feeding America