North American Meat Institute Members Donate More Than 325,000 Hot Dogs to Feeding America Foodbanks for National Hot Dog Day

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Jul 22, 2020, 06:00 ET

WASHINGTON, July 22, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of National Hot Dog Day, members of the North American Meat Institute (NAMI or the Meat Institute) worked with Feeding America to donate more than 325,000 hot dogs to foodbanks across the nation for people in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The North American Meat Institute and its members donated more than 325,000 hot dogs to Feeding America food banks in honor of National Hot Dog Day, Wednesday July 22, 2020

"Meat Institute members have donated millions of dollars and meat and poultry products to Americans in need since the beginning of this crisis," said Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts. "For National Hot Dog Day, we wanted to work with Feeding America because the need is still so great. Our members are providing nutritious protein, but also a comforting and iconic American food for families."

"Feeding America is grateful to the North American Meat Institute for their commitment to fighting hunger," said Blake Thompson, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Feeding America. "During this challenging time, when food banks are seeing demand rise by as much as 70%, support from our partners is critical. The meat industry donations will help many families who struggle to make ends meet."

The Meat Institute would like to recognize the following members and partners for their generosity, supporting 25 food banks and many more community partners around the country:

NAMI Member Company	Feeding America Food Bank
Boar's Head	Mid Ohio Food Bank, Grove City, Ohio
Clemens Food Group/Hatfield	Second Harvest Food Bank of Lehigh Valley & NEPA in Allentown, PA.
Certified Angus Beef	Feeding America West Michigan Foodbank, Comstock Park, MI and Greater Cleveland Foodbank, Cleveland, OH
Dietz and Watson	Philabundance, Philadelphia, PA; Capital Area Food Bank, Washington D.C.; Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, Charlotte, NC; Maryland Food Bank, Baltimore, MD and The Greater Boston Food Bank, Boston, MA.
Ebels General Store/Little Town Jerky	Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank, Cadillac, MI.
Flocchini Family Provisions	Food Bank of Northern Nevada, McCarron, NV.
Kent Quality Foods	Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank, Cadillac, MI.
Lower Foods	Utah Food Bank, Salt Lake City, UT
Nueske's	Greater Chicago Food Depository, Chicago, IL.
Old World Provisions	Regional Food Bank of Northeast NY, Albany, NY
Omaha Steaks	Food Bank for the Heartland, Omaha, NE.
Original Hot Dog Factory	Atlanta Community Food Bank, Atlanta, GA
Sigma Foods Inc.	Houston Food Bank, Houston, TX. and San Antonio Food Bank, San Antonio, TX.
Smithfield Foods	City Harvest, New York, NY
Sysco Cleveland	Greater Cleveland Food Bank, Cleveland, OH
Ball Park^® Brand (Tyson Foods)	Feeding Tampa Bay, Tampa, FL.; Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, Orlando, FL; Feeding South Florida, Pembroke Park, FL
Uncle Charley's Sausage Co.	Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Pittsburgh, PA
Usingers in partnership with Shake Shack	Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
Zweigles	Foodlink, Inc. Rochester, NY

Traditionally, National Hot Dog Day activities celebrate the cultural, social and nutritional value of America's summer favorite, the hot dog. For more than 40 years, the North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) has celebrated National Hot Dog Day on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, serving up hot dogs to lawmakers and their staff in one of the most anticipated events of the year.

This year the economic uncertainty due to COVID-19 has changed this annual celebration into an opportunity for the meat and poultry industry to help millions of Americans turning to foodbanks, many for the first time, to feed their families.

The North American Meat Institute is the leading voice for the meat and poultry industry. The Meat Institute's members process the vast majority of U.S. beef, pork, lamb, and poultry, as well as manufacture the equipment and ingredients needed to produce the safest and highest quality meat and poultry products.

Established in 1994 by the American Meat Institute, the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council serves as an information resource to consumers and media on questions related to quality, safety, nutrition and preparation of hot dogs and sausages. The Council also celebrates hot dogs and sausages as iconic American foods.

Feeding America® is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through a network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs, we provide meals to more than 40 million people each year. Feeding America also supports programs that prevent food waste and improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry.

CONTACT:
Feeding America: Mamie Moore (312) 641-5645 x5270
NAMI: Sarah Little (443) 440-0029
Nat. Hot Dog and Sausage Council: Eric Mittenthal 404-808-8396

SOURCE North American Meat Institute