March 12, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WAL-MART SUPERCENTERS HELP ADDRESS INCREASING FOOD DEMAND
Wal-Mart partners with Food Lifeline to feed hungry people
Shoreline, WA (Thursday, March 12, 2009) – A recent partnership between Food Lifeline, Washington’s largest hunger relief agency, and local Wal-Mart Supercenters brings more food to the increasing number of hungry people at neighborhood food banks and supports Wal-Mart’s belief in operating globally and giving back locally. The Federal Way Multi Service Center Food Bank, one of Food Lifeline’s member agencies, and the Federal Way Wal-Mart Supercenter are the first to connect as a result of this partnership which could mean an additional 700 meals for hungry people every week.
Food Lifeline’s 300 member food banks, meal programs and shelters have reported a 22 percent increase overall in new visitors from December 2007 to December 2008. The Federal Way Wal-Mart Supercenter is the first of 11 stores participating in the program, helping to lessen this burden felt by neighborhood food banks through weekly donations of meat, deli, bakery, produce and other frozen and dry/canned groceries.
Linda Nageotte, Food Lifeline President and CEO says, “Food Lifeline is truly grateful for this much needed food during an economic time that leaves more people at risk of hunger and more food banks searching for the resources needed to feed these individuals.”
The donation program was developed to keep wholesome, nutritious food out of landfills and to make a difference in the community. Wal-Mart chose to partner with Food Lifeline because of the organization’s high food safety standards and its commitment to putting the product to best use—getting it into the homes of hungry people. The program currently includes only Wal-Mart Supercenters in Western Washington, and Food Lifeline facilitates the relationship between these stores and local member agencies through its Grocery Rescue program.
Wal-Mart and Feeding America, the national food bank network of which Food Lifeline is a member, developed the pilot donation program in 2008 which successfully laid the groundwork for Food Lifeline to execute it locally with Wal-Mart Supercenters. More than 2,000 stores nationwide will eventually donate through this unique program, bringing in more than 80 million pounds of food for the Feeding America network.
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About Food Lifeline
Food Lifeline is the largest hunger relief organization in Washington State, efficiently serves the local Western Washington area by using 95% of revenue to directly feed hungry people. Last year the organization delivered more than 17 million meals to hungry people through its network of more than 300 neighborhood food banks, hot meal programs, shelters and other food providers. Food Lifeline is also a member of the national organization, Feeding America. For more information about Food Lifeline or to make a tax-deductible donation, log onto www.foodlifeline.org or call 206-545-6600.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Kadi Engquist
Marketing Coordinator
(206) 545-6600 x3614