Nationwide Insurance Foundation Aids Hunger Relief and Donates $750,000 to Feeding America

CHICAGO, May 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Feeding America today announced that it has received a grant of $750,000 from the Nationwide Insurance Foundation. The funds will be shared by the national office of Feeding America and 19 member food banks in communities where Nationwide Insurance associates live and work.

"We at Feeding America are deeply thankful to the Nationwide Insurance Foundation for their continued support to help end hunger in America; an issue affecting 49 million people," said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America.  "The recession is making it harder and harder for families to make ends meet and all too often people have to choose between buying food and paying bills."

"No one should have to struggle to put food on the table for their family," said Chad Jester, president of the Nationwide Insurance Foundation. "Unfortunately, the reality is that more and more families are facing this challenge. Feeding America and its family of regional food banks across the country provide a vital lifeline for these families, and Nationwide is pleased to support them in the fight against hunger."

In addition to its financial support, Nationwide Insurance also supports the Feeding America network through volunteerism. In April 2010, Feeding America awarded Nationwide Insurance the 2010 Group Volunteer Service of the Year award for their work with the Mid-Ohio Foodbank.  Nationwide employees began volunteering at the Mid-Ohio Foodbank nearly 30 years ago. In 2009 alone, more than 2,200 Nationwide associates gave more than 5,800 hours at the food bank and accounted for nearly one-fourth of all food bank volunteers.  

Feeding America food banks receiving funds from the donation include:  Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank; Atlanta Community Food Bank; Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Network, Verona, Va.; Bread of the Mighty Food Bank, Gainesville, Fla.; Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, Harrisburg, Penn., Central Virginia Foodbank, Richmond; Cleveland Food Bank;  Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, Raleigh; Food Bank of Iowa, Des Moines; Food Bank of Lincoln, Neb.; Food Bank of the Rockies, Denver, Colo.; Maryland Food Bank, Baltimore; Mid-Ohio Foodbank, Columbus; Mid-South Food Bank, Memphis; Oregon Food Bank, Portland; Philabundance, Philadelphia; San Antonio Food Bank; Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, Nashville; and St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance, Phoenix.

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 Nationwide

Nationwide, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the U.S. and is rated A+ by A.M. Best. The company provides a full range of personalized insurance and financial services, including car insurance, motorcycle, boat, homeowners, life insurance, farm, commercial insurance, administrative services, annuities, mortgages, mutual funds, pensions, long-term savings plans and health and productivity services. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com.

The Nationwide Insurance Foundation

The Nationwide Insurance Foundation is an independent corporation funded by contributions from Nationwide companies. Founded in 1959, the Nationwide Insurance Foundation has committed more than $250 million since 2000 to help nonprofit organizations in communities where Nationwide associates and their families live and work. Just as Nationwide supports its customers in their moment of need, the company's involvement in its home communities is focused on supporting organizations that help people facing critical or immediate need.

Nationwide Insurance is a service mark of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.

Contact:  Paula Thornton Greear, 312-641-6422

SOURCE Feeding America