Last updated on August 4th, 2022 at 05:42 pm
Springdale, Arkansas-based Tyson Foods has awarded $1.5 million in grants to 63 nonprofit organizations to support hunger relief and community assistance programs. These donations are part of a nationwide philanthropy effort to support most Feeding America member food banks.
The grants from Tyson Foods’ Social Investment Committee will fund a variety of programs to address hunger relief through backpack programs and mobile food pantries.
“We’re committed to relieving hunger and are honored to support organizations that work hard every day to help communities impacted by food insecurity,” said Tim Grailer, senior director of business operations, sustainability and strategy, Tyson Foods. “These grants will support hunger relief agencies across the country increase their capacity and provide greater access to protein.”
These national grants were awarded in response to requests by food banks to support food assistance programs, as well as local first responders seeking to improve the efficiency of their operations.
“More than 38 million people, including 12 million children, are food insecure in America,” said Lauren Biedron, VP, corporate partnerships, Feeding America. “The Feeding America network of food banks is working hard to meet the needs of communities facing hunger across the country. We are grateful for Tyson’s longstanding commitment to helping our neighbors who may not know where they will find their next meal.”
As reported in the recent 2021 Sustainability Report, the company donated more than 16 million pounds of protein, valued at $36 million and equivalent to 64 million meals, to support food banks, pantries and hunger relief organizations.
As the company looks for new ways to offer support and care, Tyson Foods piloted ride-share programs, seven near-site health centers, onsite childcare, legal and citizenship support for immigrant team members and announced free education assistance for all U.S. team members.
Organizations Tyson Foods supported with these grants include:
- Alabama
- Food Bank of North Alabama.
- Arkansas
- Delta Regional Community Service Outreach Network, Samaritan House Community Center, River Valley Food Kids, Arkansas Food Bank, Northwest Arkansas Food Bank, Harvest Texarkana, Compassion Center of Northwest Arkansas, Crawford Sebastian Community Development Council, Rockin’ Baker Academy, Apple Seeds, Northwest Arkansas Equality, Teen Action and Support Center, Central Arkansas Library System Foundation, Rogers Public Education Foundation, Linwood Moscow Volunteer Fire Department and The Transformation Project.
- Florida
- Regional Food Bank of Northeast Florida.
- Georgia
- Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) and Georgia Mountain Food Bank.
- Illinois
- Northern Illinois Food Bank and People’s Resource Center.
- Indiana
- Second Harvest Food Bank East Central Indiana, Food Finders Food Bank and Harrison County Community Services.
- Iowa
- Food Bank of Iowa, Perry Community School District, Friends of the Perry Public Library (Pass Through Grant For Farmer Market), Iowa Jag, Siouxland Community Soup Kitchen, Perry Area Emergency Food Council, Food Bank of Siouxland and Lutheran Services in Iowa.
- Kansas
- Kansas Food Bank Warehouse and Catholic Charities of Southwest Kansas.
- Kentucky
- Freestore Food Bank
- Mississippi
- Mississippi Food Network and Union Fire Department.
- Missouri
- Second Harvest Community Food Bank, Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri, Southeast Missouri Food Bank, Open Door Service Center, Harvesters – The Community Food Network and Community Baptist Church.
- Nebraska
- Foodbank for the Heartland, Siouxland Y, Islamic Center of Lexington, Refugee Empowerment Center, Heart Ministry Center, Vincent De Paul Simon House, Northeast Nebraska Community Action Partnership and Bright Horizons Resources for Survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.
- North Carolina
- Second Harvest Food Bank Northwest North Carolina, Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina and Samaritan Kitchen of Wilkes and Common Heart.
- Ohio
- Freestore-Foodbank and the Second Harvest Foodbank of North Central Ohio.
- Oklahoma
- Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Enid and North Central Oklahoma (Feeding For Elderly).
- Pennsylvania
- Citizens Fire Co. No. 1 of Gordon, Pennsylvania.
- Tennessee
- Second Harvest Food Bank Middle Tennessee, Mid-South Food Bank and Nashville International Center for Empowerment.
- Texas
- San Antonio Food Bank and Grayson Grand Central Station.
- Virginia
- Food Bank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore.
- Washington
- Blue Mountain Action Council.
