Butterball, LLC Donates More Than 18,000 Pounds of Turkey to Aid in Storm Relief Efforts

Turkey producer provides food to North Carolina and Alabama food banks serving communities affected by storms

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May 10, 2011, 12:32 ET

GARNER, N.C., May 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Butterball, LLC, the nation's largest turkey producer, today announced the donation of more than 18,000 pounds of turkey to charitable organizations in North Carolina and Alabama that are supplying food to victims of the severe weather that affected numerous communities across the states.

"Our thoughts and concerns go out to the many individuals who were impacted by the devastating tornadoes and floods, and to those across the country who struggle to provide food for their families," said Walter Pelletier, president of Maxwell Farms. "Butterball is a proud supporter of hunger relief and we are thankful for the opportunity to join with such valiant organizations that help meet the needs of the community not only in times of distress, but every day."

Since the onset of the storms, Butterball has provided a total of 18,140 pounds of turkey products to food banks and organizations in severely affected areas including eastern North Carolina and western Alabama.

The turkey producer donated more than 8,000 pounds of turkey products to the West Alabama Food Bank (WAFB), serving nine west Alabama counties including Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Marion, Pickens, Sumter and Tuscaloosa, each of which had a tornado touch down during the recent storm. Last year, WAFB agencies distributed 2.1 million pounds of food in the form of 95,373 emergency food boxes and 133,215 meals.

"We are extremely grateful for the outpouring of support and donations our state has received from across the nation," said Henry Lipsey, executive director of WAFB. "Butterball's donation will help us feed the thousands of people who were affected by the April 27 tornadoes."

Additionally, Butterball provided more than 7,500 pounds of turkey products to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina located near the company's headquarters in Garner, N.C., and donated more than 2,500 pounds to Warren's Chapel Original Free Will Baptist Church in Micro, N.C.

About Butterball, LLC:

Butterball, LLC is the largest producer of turkey products in the United States. Headquartered in Garner, N.C., Butterball produces more than 1 billion pounds of turkey each year, and the company supplies its products to more than 30 countries. Perhaps best known for its succulent whole bird products, the company also has a broad array of offerings for deli, retail and foodservice.

For more information about Butterball, visit www.butterball.com. You can also call 1-800 BUTTERBALL for answers to your most puzzling questions about turkey preparation.

SOURCE Butterball, LLC