Feeding America Responds To Natural Disasters Across The Nation

Partnerships with Wal-Mart, Kellogg Company, Americares, Allstate and Abbott Assist Recovery Efforts

CHICAGO, July 5, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Feeding America, the nation's largest hunger relief organization is in the midst of efforts to transport food, water and other emergency supplies to many areas across the country hard-hit by recent natural disasters.

Floods have ravaged several states across the nation, from Minnesota and Wisconsin to West Virginia. Florida has been buffeted by tropical storms. Devastating wildfires have burned thousands of acres in Colorado. Much of the nation has been hit by a record breaking heat wave, which has sent temperatures to about 100 degrees in many states.

Hundreds of thousands of people are without electricity throughout much of the Eastern part of the United States. As many as 650,000 people in West Virginia were without power following high winds.

"Many of our food banks are in the midst of Herculean efforts to provide food and water to thousands of people who have been displaced by storms, fires and flooding throughout the United States. The very good news is that our network has rallied to help food banks in affected areas by providing them with food, water and trained staff," said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America. "But more help is needed. We urge anyone and everyone who can help their neighbors to go to our Website www.feedingamerica.org  to make a contribution, no matter how large or small."

Feeding America receives ongoing support for disaster relief efforts from Wal-Mart, Kellogg's, Americares, Allstate and Abbott.

The Feeding America site will direct interested donors to their local food bank, or to any food banks they specifically want to help.

"Our food banks throughout the affected regions are working closely with state and local emergency management agencies, as well as non-governmental partners in disaster relief and local social service agency partners, to identify the need for not only food, but cleaning supplies, diapers and personal care products to help those affected."

Feeding America first became involved in disaster relief in 1989 following Hurricane Hugo and the Loma Pieta earthquake that struck San Francisco and the Central California Coast.  Since then, Feeding America has taken an active role in recovery efforts following major disasters and is a member of the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD).

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.

CONTACT: Ross Fraser
tel +1.312.641.6422
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SOURCE Feeding America