Feeding America Is Nation's Third Largest Charity, According To Forbes

Domestic Hunger-Relief Charity Has 98 Percent Efficiency Rating

CHICAGO, Dec. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Feeding America, the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization, ranks No. 3 on Forbes Magazine's list of "The 200 Largest U.S. Charities" for 2011. Research for the Forbes 200 list was based on financial data from 2010. Feeding America was listed as the tenth largest charity in last year's Forbes report.

"We are pleased that Feeding America is being recognized for our efficient operations and great stewardship of the donations entrusted to us," said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America.  "Using each dollar as productively as possible is always important, but it's even more so during these tough economic times when so many people are in need of help. We are providing food and groceries to nearly six million people each week."

"The generous support of our corporate and individual donors fuels our ability to deliver services to 37 million hungry Americans this year.  We have seen many donors step up in this weakened economy and provide increases in donations of funds, food and grocery products, and new partners have joined our efforts.  It is this collaboration that enabled Feeding America to increase the amount of food we distribute by nearly one billion pounds in just two years – from 2.42 million pounds in 2008 to 3.38 million pounds in 2010," Escarra said.

Feeding America's placement on the list of the 200 largest charities is based on the amount of donations received in the latest fiscal year, as opposed to government grants, fee for service or investment revenue. In Fiscal Year 2010, Feeding America received more than $1.1 billion in cash and in-kind donations.

Forbes cited Feeding America's fund-raising efficiency rating of 98 percent, which is well above the average of 86 percent. They also noted that Feeding America has a charitable commitment of 97 percent, and a 100 percent donor dependency.

"Although the U.S. unemployment rate fell slightly to 8.6 percent this past November, the lowest level since March, 2009, the need for emergency food assistance is still great. Many of our food banks report that they are serving more people today than ever before," said Escarra. "We know historically that even when there is an up-tick in the economy, the people at the low end of the economic spectrum are the last to recover."

Feeding America is a network of more than 200 member food banks serving all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. We would like to congratulate our network member food banks that also made the Forbes list:

• Community Food Bank of New Jersey (Hillside, NJ)
• Food Bank for New York City
• Greater Chicago Food Depository
• Harvesters – The Community Food Network (Kansas City, MO)
• Houston Food Bank
• Oregon Food Bank (Portland, OR)
• St Mary's Food Bank Alliance (Phoenix, AZ)

As year-end approaches, Feeding America encourages people to give the gift of meals to those facing hunger. Each $1 donated provides eight meals to hungry Americans. Make a difference and Give a Meal by visiting www.feedingamerica.org/giveameal.

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.

Media Contact:

Shannon Traeger
Feeding America
312.641.5717

SOURCE Feeding America