The Albertsons Companies Foundation and the Entertainment Industry Foundation Raise Additional $2 Million to Fight Childhood Hunger

BOISE, Idaho and LOS ANGELES, Oct. 20, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Albertsons Companies Foundation and the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) announced they have raised more than $2 million during the month of September for Hunger Is, a charitable initiative designed to raise awareness and funds to end childhood hunger in America. In addition to customer donations in select stores, this marks the campaign's first fall season in-store fundraiser involving donations generated by purchase of participating products active in more than 2,200 stores across 33 states.  Over $12 million has been raised for programs connecting hungry children to healthy food since the campaign's inception just two years ago.

According to the USDA, one in five children in America struggle with hunger. This national campaign encourages individuals and communities to get involved in solving this widespread problem that too often goes unnoticed.

Hunger Is continues to be supported by award-winning actress and ambassador Viola Davis, who has shared her personal story about growing up hungry not only publicly, but in the initiative's public service announcements that appear both in-store and across tv, radio, print, online and out-of-home media outlets.

"I am overjoyed that this campaign continues to strike a chord with communities across the country. This is only further proof of our need to fix this incomprehensible problem that affects too many children," Davis expressed. She went on to say, "I am exceedingly grateful to the thousands of supporters that are helping us every day to bring light to this issue. I will continue to look forward to a day when this conversation shifts to a dialogue of the past. Until then, we will carry on with our mission to eradicate childhood hunger in America."

"We are so grateful to our generous customers for their support of Hunger Is. Without our customers, we would not be able to affect change in their own communities in the fight against childhood hunger," said Christy Duncan Anderson, Executive Director of the Albertson Companies Foundation. "We are thankful to have Viola Davis continue to lend her voice to this issue and to the Entertainment Industry Foundation for their continued partnership in the mission to eradicate childhood hunger."

Thus far, Hunger Is has awarded grants to local charities to connect hungry children living in neighborhoods to healthy food throughout the country.  This fall, Hunger Is will be inviting regional and community-based programs in Albertsons Companies markets across the U.S. to respond to a Request for Proposals. Grants will be awarded to programs which have the potential to alleviate childhood hunger in communities throughout America.

The work of Hunger Is and award of grants is supported by the Hunger Is Advisory Committee comprised of leaders from the most respected hunger advocacy organizations in the U.S., including The Center for Hunger Free Communities (Drexel University); Feeding America® – the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity; Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, the internationally renowned biomedical research institute focused on pediatric health;  the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) – the leading national nonprofit organization working to improve public policies and public-private partnerships to eradicate hunger and malnutrition in the U.S.; Growing Power, the national nonprofit organization and land trust helping to provide equal access to healthy, high-quality, safe and affordable food for people in all communities; New York City Coalition Against Hunger which operates the national hunger hotline and sponsors the nationwide Anti-Hunger and Opportunity Corps AmeriCorps VISTA program operating in 32 states; No Kid Hungry – a campaign which connects kids in need with nutritious food and teaches their families how to cook healthy, affordable meals; and WhyHunger, supporting grassroots solutions to end hunger and poverty by connecting people to nutritious and affordable food. The committee provides guidance in defining and addressing needs and makes funding recommendations for approval by The Albertsons Companies Foundation and the EIF Board of Directors.

"All of us at EIF are immensely proud to be involved in this campaign with such a gracious ambassador, Viola Davis, and so grateful to the Albertsons Companies customers, whose contributions will help make a positive impact in the lives of families across the nation," said Lisa Paulsen, EIF President and CEO.

More information about the issue is available at HungerIs.org, along with simple ways for individuals to donate. For information about the fall campaign and participating brands, go to Albertsons.com/HungerIsUs.

About Hunger Is 
Hunger Is, a joint charitable program the Albertsons Companies, through The Safeway Foundation, and the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), is designed to build awareness and raise funds in an effort to eradicate childhood hunger in America.  Funds raised through Hunger Is directly benefit programs focused on combating childhood hunger and improving health-related outcomes.  For more information, visit www.HungerIs.org.

About Albertsons Companies
The Albertsons Companies is one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States, with both a strong local presence and national scale. The company operates stores across 33 states and the District of Columbia under 18 well-known banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's, ACME, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market and Carrs.

About the Entertainment Industry Foundation
Founded in 1942, the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) is a multifaceted organization that occupies a unique place in the world of philanthropy. By mobilizing and leveraging the powerful voice and creative talents of the entertainment industry, as well as cultivating the support of organizations (public and private) and philanthropists committed to social responsibility, EIF builds awareness and raises funds, developing and enhancing programs on the local, national and global level that facilitate positive social change.  For more information, visit www.eifoundation.org.

Hunger Is Social Media:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/hungerisorg (Page name: @Hunger Is)
Twitter: www.twitter.com/hungeris (Handle: @HungerIs)
Instagram: www.instagram.com/hunger_is (Username: @Hunger_Is)

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151019/278287

SOURCE Entertainment Industry Foundation