Philadelphia Eagles Partner with The Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia in Million Meals for Haiti Event
Eagles players and employees to volunteer Friday
PHILADELPHIA, May 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The Philadelphia Eagles are partnering with The Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia, Drexel University, the PA National Guard and Numana, Inc. to help promote and volunteer for The Salvation Army Million Meals for Haiti event. On Friday evening, May 21 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Philadelphia Eagles guard and Haiti native, Max Jean-Gilles and Eagles linebacker Akeem Jordan along with SWOOP and Eagles employees will volunteer in the city-wide effort to get nutritious food to the starving people of earthquake-ravaged Haiti.
"We're thrilled with the tremendous support organizations like The Philadelphia Eagles are bringing to The Salvation Army Million Meals for Haiti Event," said Major Jorge Diaz, Director of Operations for The Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia. "We've set the bar high and we're hopeful that Philadelphians will band together and help the Haitian people who still have no means of earning wages and buying food."
Last month, Mayor Michael Nutter called on business and civic leaders to get behind the effort in rallying the 5,000 volunteers needed to assemble and package the meals, which are specially designed to boost the immune systems of malnourished people. The Salvation Army Million Meals for Haiti event is Friday, May 21 and Saturday, May 22 at the State Armory at Drexel University on 33rd Street between Market and Arch Streets.
"The Philadelphia Eagles are proud to mobilize our employees and players to assist in The Salvation Army Million Meals for Haiti project," said Philadelphia Eagles Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, Pamela Browner White. "We've been supporting efforts in Haiti since the earthquake occurred, and are committed to working with The Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia to make a difference for victims still in need."
An army of volunteers, totaling more than 5,000, will be needed to help assemble and package the meals. Individuals (11 years of age and older), families, corporate, school, church, and community groups are encouraged to volunteer as meal packagers for at least one, two-hour shift. Each packing station consists of 12-14 volunteers. Shifts begin Friday, May 21 at noon, and Saturday, May 22 at 9 am.
Each meal consists of rice, soy protein, freeze-dried vegetables, and 21 vitamins and minerals. Once delivered to Haiti, the meals will be distributed by Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services teams on the ground.
The Salvation Army has had a presence in Haiti since 1950, and currently operates schools, clinics, a hospital, feeding programs, children's homes and church-related activities through 60 community centers across the country. Since the devastating earthquake on January 12, 2010, The Salvation Army has distributed more than 10 million meals in Haiti and will continue to do so over the next six to nine months. In order to meet the demand, meal packing events have been held in cities including Chicago, Kansas City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Wichita.
To volunteer for the Million Meals for Haiti event, please register online at www.SalvationArmyPhiladelphia.org.
About The Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia:
The Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia is a faith-based, comprehensive human service organization whose programs help individuals, families and whole communities lead healthier, safer and more productive lives. The Salvation Army strives to do the most good possible with the resources entrusted to it, spending 91 cents of every dollar directly on programs and services that help those who are most in need. The Army is equipped to respond to both acute disasters such as fires and floods as well as the daily, ongoing struggles of the region's less fortunate individuals. With a 130-year record of accomplishment, the Army's track record of success stems from its holistic approach to providing for the needs of the whole individual and family – physically, emotionally, economically and spiritually. The Army's programming operates from 26 community centers and residential facilities throughout the five-county Philadelphia region offering shelter, life skills, hot meals, counseling, early childhood development, recreation and sports, music and arts programs, after-school educational programs, job training, activities for older adults, opportunities for spiritual development, drug rehabilitation, and much more. For more information, please visit www.SalvationArmyPhiladelphia.org.
Contact: |
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Randall Thomas |
Pamela Browner White |
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The Salvation Army |
Philadelphia Eagles |
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Office: 215.787.2833 |
Office: 215.320.5186 |
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Cell: 610-724-9599 |
Cell: 215.284.4597 |
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SOURCE The Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia
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