Second Harvest Heartland Receives $22,500 from the Caterpillar Foundation to Help Feed People within Minnesota and Wisconsin

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Sep 30, 2015, 12:55 ET

SAINT PAUL, Minn., Sept. 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Second Harvest Heartland announces a $22,500 grant from the Caterpillar Foundation to provide food to individuals and families who face hunger within its service area in Minnesota and Wisconsin. A member of the Feeding America network, Second Harvest Heartland is one of 35 food banks to receive this grant.

"We are thankful to the Caterpillar Foundation for its commitment to fighting hunger and supporting people in need within our community," said Rob Zeaske, CEO of Second Harvest Heartland. "Because of this grant, we are better able to serve those who are experiencing the stress of hunger."

Each year, 49 million people in the United States face hunger, including one in 10 people in Minnesota. Last year, Second Harvest Heartland provided food for more than 532,000 people in 41 counties in Minnesota and 18 counties in western Wisconsin. With this donation of $22,500, Second Harvest Heartland will be able to deliver more than 75,000 meals to those in need.

"The Caterpillar Foundation is committed to alleviating poverty. We are proud to partner with Second Harvest Heartland to support the individuals it serves who may not know where their next meal will come from," said Michele Sullivan, president of the Caterpillar Foundation.

The Caterpillar Foundation's current investment of $1 million will help to address hunger in surrounding Caterpillar communities in 49 counties. The Foundation has invested $3.5 million dollars in Feeding America member food banks since 2013.

About the Caterpillar Foundation
Caterpillar Inc. supports the philanthropic efforts of the Caterpillar Foundation. Founded in 1952, the Caterpillar Foundation has contributed more than $550 million to help make sustainable progress possible around the world by providing program support in the areas of environmental sustainability, access to education and basic human needs. To learn more about the global impact of the Caterpillar Foundation, please visit www.caterpillar.com/foundation.

About Second Harvest Heartland
Second Harvest Heartland is one of the nation's largest, most efficient and most innovative food banks. In 2014, we delivered more than 74 million meals to over 1,000 food shelves, pantries and other partner programs serving 59 counties in Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Second Harvest Heartland helps relieve hunger not only by sourcing, warehousing and distributing food, but through data-driven thought leadership and community partnerships that help improve the region's larger hunger relief system. For more information, visit 2harvest.org or call 651.484.5117.