"Give a Meal" Campaign Raises 1M Meals in a Week

Thousands of people across the country are helping to feed those in need

CHICAGO, Nov. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In less than a week, Feeding America's "Give a Meal" campaign has already raised more than 1 million meals for hungry families in this country. The campaign will run throughout the holiday season.

The holiday campaign, the first of its kind for the nation's largest anti-hunger organization, is a joint effort with corporate partners, celebrities and the public to provide food to the nearly 49 million Americans who struggle with hunger. As of Monday morning, nearly 1,150,000 meals had been raised through the "Give a Meal" program.

"This tremendous support is just indicative of the fact that the issue of hunger is one that resonates with so many people, especially during the holidays," said Vicki Escarra, President and CEO of Feeding America. "There is no better time than now to give a gift that will help make sure that everyone has something to eat this holiday season."

Every $1 donated to the "Give a Meal" campaign helps provide eight meals to people in need. However, the effort got a big boost from signature partner Bank of America who pledged an additional $2 match (up to $500,000) for every $1 donated via feedingamerica.org/BankofAmerica or bankofamerica.com/give.

"Give a Meal" is also being backed by Feeding America Entertainment Council members, including Chef Mario Batali, host of ABC's The Chew, Australian chef and television star Curtis Stone, rock sensations Benji and Joel Madden, Entertainment Tonight correspondent Samantha Harris, Grammy Award winning singer Monica, Food Network star Ellie Krieger, chef and TV host Sara Gore, TV food critic and host Katie Lee, Extra Virgin husband and wife hosts actress Debi Mazar and Chef Gabriele Corcos, and the platinum selling band OneRepublic. 

Emmy award winning host Rachael Ray is also supporting the campaign and her Yum-o! Organization will make a donation to Feeding America's Produce Program, up to 2 million servings of produce. (Yum-o! has donated the monetary equivalent of up to 2 million servings of produce to Feeding America.)

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:
Shannon Traeger
Feeding America
312.641.5717                                     
[email protected]                  

SOURCE Feeding America