Feeding America Honors The Life And Legacy Of Senator George McGovern; Thankful For His Support

CHICAGO, Oct. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Feeding America, the nation's largest domestic hunger relief organization, today honors the memory of Senator George McGovern, one of the most prominent leaders of the anti-hunger movement in this country throughout his long life of public service. Senator McGovern died yesterday at the age of 90.

We are also honored the Senator's family is asking that donations be made to Feeding South Dakota, a member of the Feeding America network, in his memory. The gesture reflects Sen. McGovern's long-standing personal commitment to those in our communities who may be struggling with hunger.

"We have lost one of our great heroes," said Matt Knott, interim president and CEO of Feeding America. "Senator McGovern dedicated much of his career to advocating for low-income Americans who were hungry and malnourished."

McGovern played many important roles in the anti-hunger movement. Before becoming a U.S. senator from South Dakota, McGovern served the Kennedy administration as director of the U.S. Food for Peace program. After his career in the U.S. Senate, he was U.S. Ambassador to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization during the Clinton administration. He later served as the UN's international emissary on hunger.

But it was his efforts forging bipartisan consensus to strengthen key nutrition programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and WIC (Women, Infants and Children) that continue to live on helping families that today struggle to make ends meet.

"Senator McGovern believed that we had a 'moral imperative' to end hunger, both in the United States and throughout the world. He was a dedicated visionary and his passion and commitment should continue to inspire us all," Knott said.

Contact: Ross Fraser, 312-641-6422

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 63,000 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 feedingamerica.org. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow our news on Twitter at twitter.com/FeedingAmerica.

SOURCE Feeding America