First Choice Power Launches Second Annual Summer Food Bag Program to Fight Texas Childhood Hunger
First-of-its-kind hunger program propels company halfway toward its goal of providing 1 million meals for those in need throughout Texas
IRVING, Texas, June 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- First Choice Power is continuing its Food First™ Summer Bag Program for a second year by partnering with six food banks and food pantries across the state to help fight childhood hunger. The first-of-its-kind program provides biodegradable plastic bags for each organization to fill with nutritious food to send home with children on summer weekends.
"With the current high level of demand at food banks, the summer bag program fills a gap where they often do not enough resources," said Catherine Carlton, community relations manager, First Choice Power. "We believe every child deserves to have this basic need met so they can have fun just being kids this summer, without worrying where their next meal will come from."
First Choice Power will be partnering with the East Texas Food Bank, West Texas Food Bank, Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley, Capital Area Food Bank, Galveston County Food Bank-Gleanings from the Harvest and Christian Community Action food pantry. Each organization will distribute bags full of nutritious, easy-to-open foods each weekend during the summer at convenient locations in the community.
"Before the Summer Food Bag Program, there was a lack of resources to feed kids during summer weekends," said Terri Drefke, executive director of Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley. "Thanks to First Choice Power, we are able to fill this gap and help make sure that no child in our area goes hungry."
In addition to the launch of the second annual Food First Summer Bag Program, First Choice Power is recognizing meeting the halfway mark to its goal of providing 1 million meals throughout Texas. To date, the company has provided more than 600,000 meals through efforts such as the Food First Summer Bag Program, employee and community food drives, community partnerships and social media promotions.
To celebrate the efforts of Texans to fight hunger, State Representative Ralph Sheffield has issued a proclamation naming Thursday, June 9 as "Food First Day".
Anyone can join First Choice Power in the fight against hunger by visiting the company's Facebook page, clicking on the Food First tab and sharing the story that is featured each week during the summer. Each time the story is shared, First Choice Power will donate a meal to the featured food bank.
To learn more about the ways First Choice Power is fighting hunger, visit www.FirstChoicePower.com/FoodFirst.
About First Choice Power
First Choice Power is an energy company committed to identifying what is most important to our customers and putting their needs first. Texas business and residential customers can depend on First Choice Power for competitive pricing and excellent customer service. First Choice Power is committed to giving back to the communities it serves through its Food First ™ hunger initiative, Reduce Your Use Grants™, recycling efforts and supporting employees' community engagement. Learn more at www.FirstChoicePower.com. Keep up to date on the latest energy news and join the conversation by following us on Twitter @firstchoicepwr, Facebook facebook.com/FirstChoicePower or The Current blog, www.FirstChoicePower.com/blog.
PUCT REP Certification No. 10008 | First Choice Power Special Purpose, L.P
SOURCE First Choice Power
Share this article