KPMG Teams Up With The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation For Project In Low-Income San Antonio Community

SAN ANTONIO, May 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- KPMG LLP, the U.S. audit, tax and advisory firm, will team up with The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation (FTPF) and local residents to plant about 100 fruit trees in two accessible orchards in a housing development operated by the San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA).

On May 4 at 10:00 a.m., volunteers and local residents will come together to plant trees at a site in the Springview community at 722 South Rio Grande to help provide access to nutritious fruit and improve the local environment.

"We are particularly excited about the fruit tree planting because it engages our people and their families and friends in a hands-on project that supports our commitment to protecting and improving the environment and the communities in which we do business," said Joseph McLauchlan, managing partner of KPMG's San Antonio office. "We look forward to our work having a positive, long-lasting impact on the Springview community."

KPMG has made a significant commitment to environmental responsibility through its Living Green program, which has been in existence since late 2007. As the program sponsor for the fruit tree orchard in San Antonio, KPMG has donated $6,000 to purchase trees and about 30 firm volunteers will help plant the trees. The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation will provide horticultural training and host aftercare workshops to empower residents and SAHA residents and staff to care for the orchard.

"The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation is honored to partner with environmentally-conscious businesses such as KPMG to bring fruit tree nutrition and environmental benefits to low-income residents in San Antonio," said Cem Akin, executive director of the FTPF.

In addition to KPMG, volunteers from SAHA, City of San Antonio, United Way, and many local community members will be on hand to assist with the fruit tree planting.

"Thanks to the partnerships of KPMG and The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation, SAHA continues to equip and empower our residents to live healthy lives and improve their quality of life," said Lourdes Castro Ramirez, SAHA President and CEO. "It's activities like these that increase the physical activity of our residents, promote behavior change and improve their nutrition."

About KPMG LLP
KPMG LLP, the audit, tax and advisory firm (www.us.kpmg.com), is the U.S. member firm of KPMG International Cooperative ("KPMG International").  KPMG International's member firms have 152,000 professionals, including more than 8,600 partners, in 156 countries.

About The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation
The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation (FTPF) is an international nonprofit charity dedicated to planting fruitful trees and plants to alleviate world hunger, combat global warming, strengthen communities, and improve the surrounding air, soil, and water. FTPF programs strategically donate orchards where the harvest will best serve communities for generations, at places such as public schools, city parks, low-income neighborhoods, Native American reservations, and international hunger relief sites. FTPF's unique mission, which has been featured in major publications across the country, benefits the environment, human health, and community involvement—all at once! For more information, visit www.ftpf.org.

About The San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA)
SAHA serves the housing needs of over 70,000 children, adults and senior citizens through its Public Housing, Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher and Mixed-Income housing programs. The agency employs over 500 individuals, with an annual operating budget of $172 million, and real estate assets valued at over $500 million.

SOURCE KPMG LLP