Springdale, Arkansas – Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN) is delivering more than 50 tons of chicken this week to the Gulf Coast to help fight hunger in communities affected by the recent oil spill. The donation was initiated by music legend Neil Young and his long-time friend John Tyson, chairman of Tyson Foods, and is being given in conjunction with special Gulf Coast concerts by Young.
The chicken products are being given by Tyson to the Bay Area Food Bank, which services Central Gulf Coast communities in Alabama, Florida and Mississippi. The first delivery was made today to the food bank’s main warehouse in Theodore, Alabama. Product will also be shipped later this week to the food bank’s Panhandle branch in Milton, Florida, and subsidiary distribution organization in Gulfport, Mississippi.
In addition, Neil Young concert-goers have been encouraged to bring non-perishable food items, which are being given to the food bank. All proceeds from the sale of unique, limited edition Neil Young t-shirts, available only at the concerts, are also being donated to the food bank.
Young has already performed concerts in Panama City, Florida; Biloxi, Mississippi, and Mobile, Alabama. Another show is set for Tuesday, September 28, in Pensacola, Florida.
“This is our way of trying to make a difference in the lives of people on the Gulf Coast who struggle, sometimes daily, with having enough food to eat,” said Young. “My thanks to those who have been donating food through my concerts and buying t-shirts to benefit the food bank. I also extend my appreciation to John Tyson and his company for their generosity.”
“Our company is active in the fight against hunger and we’re pleased to work with Neil Young to help the Central Gulf Coast in the aftermath of this year’s oil spill,” said Tyson. “Over the past ten years, our company has donated more than 76 million pounds of chicken, beef and pork to help feed hungry people in America.”
“Our thanks to Neil Young, John Tyson and Tyson Foods for getting involved in our region’s hunger relief efforts,” said David W. Reaney, executive director of the Bay Area Food Bank. “The high-protein food they’re providing is especially valuable, helping the agencies we serve provide well-balanced, healthful food options to the people they support.”
Other direct donations to this hunger relief effort have made by California-based Amy’s Kitchen, Inc., which produces organic canned soups and frozen meals, and Raw Indulgence of New York, which makes “Raw Revolution Natural Energy Bars.” For more information, click on www.amyskitchen.com and www.rawindulgence.com.
Bay Area Food Bank
The Bay Area Food Bank serves 24 counties in Alabama, Florida and Mississippi and is the Central Gulf Coast’s primary food source in disaster relief operations. The food bank serves more than 550 agencies and is a certified member of Feeding America, the nation’s food bank network, as well as a United Way agency.
Tyson Hunger Relief
This week’s donation is part of Tyson Foods’ month-long celebration of its 10th anniversary of active support for hunger relief nationwide. The company is donating 750,000 pounds during September to 20 food banks in 20 states across the country. Tyson Foods has been a leader in the fight against hunger since 2000, donating more than 76 million pounds of food. This milestone equates to more than 296 million meals donated to food banks and agencies serving local communities around the country. Last year alone, Tyson donated nearly eight million pounds of protein to Feeding America. For more information on how to get involved in the fight against hunger, go to http://www.tysonhungerrelief.com
Tyson Foods, Inc.
Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN), founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is one of the world’s largest processors and marketers of chicken, beef and pork, the second-largest food production company in the Fortune 500 and a member of the S&P 500. The company produces a wide variety of protein-based and prepared food products and is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves. Tyson provides products and services to customers throughout the United States and more than 90 countries. The company has approximately 117,000 Team Members employed at more than 400 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team Members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.
Source: Tyson Foods, Inc.
