Newman's Own® and Feeding America Launch 12 New School Pantries to Help Curb Childhood Hunger

CHICAGO, Aug. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In an effort to stem the tide of childhood hunger, Newman's Own and Feeding America today announced the creation of twelve school pantries across the country.  One in four children lives in a household without access to enough nutritious food.  A donation of $550,000 from Newman's Own in support of Feeding America's School Pantry Program helps provide food assistance for hungry children and their families in ten cities.  

"Nourishing families, especially children, has long been a priority of Newman's Own," said Robert Forrester, CEO of Newman's Own.  "With more than 17 million children in need of food assistance, we are proud to partner with Feeding America to address this growing crisis."

The gift from Newman's Own will help provide more than 750,000 meals to families in the ten participating cities. In addition to the financial donation, Newman's Own has provided a selection of products – ranging from pasta sauce to cereal – for distribution to local families.

The School Pantry Program became a national program of Feeding America in 2010.  Today, with the addition of the twelve Newman's Own-supported pantries, more than 400 School Pantry locations exist and serve nearly 70,000 children. The pantries provide a convenient, easy in-school access to nutritious foods for children and families in need.

The ten cities participating in the Newman's Own school-based pantries are:

• Charleston, SC:  Lowcountry Food Bank
• Greeleyville, SC:  Lowcountry Food Bank
• Camden, NJ:  Food Bank of South Jersey
• Dallas, TX:  North Texas Food Bank
• McGehee, AR:  Arkansas Foodbank
• San Diego, CA:  Feeding America San Diego
• Santee, CA:  Feeding America San Diego
• San Marcos, CA:  Feeding America San Diego
• Vista,  CA:  Feeding America San Diego
• South Bend, IN:  Food Bank of Northern Indiana

"The gift from Newman's Own comes at a critical time," said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America. "Millions of people have been struggling to feed themselves and their children since the recession. By supporting the School Pantry Program, Newman's Own will help those families keep food on their tables."

As part of the School Pantry Program, Newman's Own will work in partnership with Feeding America's food bank located in each of the participating cities.  Each regional food bank recommended the recipient school based on the area's need.  

Newman's Own and its philanthropic arm, Newman's Own Foundation, have long supported Feeding America.  Their combined contributions have played a significant role in a program responsible for delivering perishable foods to every state in the country.   More than 130 million meals and 100 refrigerated Ford trucks have been deployed in this effort in every state of the country.

For an in-depth look at food needs nationwide, and to track the need by state, county and food bank, visit http://feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/hunger-studies/map-the-meal-gap.aspx

About Newman's Own, Inc.

Newman's Own ®, Inc., founded by Paul Newman in 1982, is a successful and growing premium food business. Newman's Own offers more than 100 varieties of delicious all-natural food and beverage products, which include salad dressings, pasta sauces, salsa, popcorn, lemonade, and thin & crispy frozen pizza.  Based in Westport, CT, the charitable mission of Newman's Own®, Inc. was expressed by Paul in the Company motto: "Shameless exploitation in pursuit of the Common Good." Newman's Own Foundation continues Paul Newman's commitment to donate all profits to charity. To date, more than $300 million has been given to thousands of charities around the world.

Visit www.newmansown.com for the nearest retailer/s that carry Newman's Own products and for recipe suggestions using Newman's Own®, Inc. products.

Also, visit Newman's Own on Facebook at www.facebook.com/newmansown

Learn more about our mission at www.newmansownfoundation.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:
For Newman's Own:
Kate Nolan Clemens
KDN Communications
860-657-0600; [email protected]

For Feeding America:
Paula Thornton-Greear
Feeding America
312-641-5663; [email protected]

SOURCE Feeding America