Feeding America Receives $1 Million Investment From The Caterpillar Foundation

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Mar 13, 2013, 09:45 ET

Gift Marks Leading Manufacturer Foundation's First Contribution to Largest Domestic Hunger-Relief Organization

CHICAGO, March 13, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Feeding America, the nation's leading hunger-relief organization, is pleased to announce a $1 million investment from the Caterpillar Foundation to support programs that provide fresh fruit and vegetables to low-income clients who do not have the access or financial means to provide these foods to their families.

The grant, which will allow for increased delivery of perishable food to rural or hard-to-reach communities that often are underserved as well as urban and suburban areas where there is an urgent need for nutritious food, will help impact Feeding America's nationwide network of food banks, including those within the more than 15 states in which Caterpillar Inc. has operations.

Feeding America food banks provide assistance to 37 million people struggling with hunger. Last year, the charity provided more than 800 million pounds of fresh produce to low-income Americans.

"Strengthening our national retail store donation and produce innovation programs is one of the most effective and efficient ways for us to deliver food at a local level," said Bob Aiken, president and CEO of Feeding America. "Thanks to the generosity of the Caterpillar Foundation, our food banks will be able to distribute much needed food like fresh produce, low-fat dairy products and lean meat, to help feed families in need throughout the nation."

"The Caterpillar Foundation supports programs in three key areas, one of which is basic human needs," said Michele Sullivan, president of the Caterpillar Foundation. "The concept behind this organization seems so simple but has enormous impact. Feeding America has the ability to provide the equivalent of eight meals for every $1 donation. Put in those terms, this is an investment in an organization that is efficient – tackling a huge challenge for just pennies at a time."

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 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.

Contact:
Angela De Paul
Feeding America
312.641.5695

Rachel Potts
Caterpillar Inc.
309.675.6892

SOURCE Feeding America