Milwaukee Area Food Banks Receive Nearly 32,000 Pounds of Food Donated by Tyson Foods and LULAC
March 28, 2014
Contact: Paloma Zuleta, pzuleta at LULAC.org, (202) 812-4477
Milwaukee, Wisconsin – Today, Tyson Foods and LULAC donated nearly 32,000 pounds of food to food banks in Milwaukee in order to help address hunger disparities in the area. Attending the donation event, were representatives from Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, UMOS Inc., Racine County Food Bank, Waukesha Food Pantry, and the Shalom Center. UMOS hosted the donation event at their corporate office in Milwaukee.
Wisconsin area food banks have been dramatically impacted by the economic downturn and cuts in funding. According to a study released by Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin entitled, Hunger in Wisconsin, in 2010 72% of pantries, 60% of soup kitchens and 64% of shelters say they are serving more clients than they did in 2006. The same study revealed that 71% of households with children seeking food assistance are food insecure, meaning they don’t have adequate access to nutritious food.
Meat and poultry are high quality sources of complete protein, and according to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans released by USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services, protein is considered the most important macronutrient in the human diet. It provides essential amino acids, is a source of energy and is critical during growth and development. Meat and poultry are excellent sources of iron, which is especially important for women, children and adolescent girls, who are often deficient in iron.
LULAC, the oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization in America, among its goals, works to advance health disparities in the Hispanic community.
“Through LULAC programs, services and advocacy, we tackle important issues such as hunger and malnutrition by making information and resources available to the community,” said LULAC National President Margaret Moran. "That is why we are so pleased to partner with Tyson Foods which has made this very generous food donation in Milwaukee possible.”
“This generous donation will add protein to the table for many children, families and seniors struggling with hunger. We are thankful for partners like LULAC and Tyson for remembering those at-risk of hunger in our community,” said Bonnie Bellehumeur, President of Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin.
UMOS operates the largest and most comprehensive job center in Wisconsin helping job seekers to find employment. However, in order to help people find jobs, it’s critical to remove barriers to employment, like domestic violence issues, alcohol and drug abuse, transportation, child care and hunger.
“It is difficult for job seekers to focus on getting a job during the day, if they are worried about feeding their children at night,” said Lupe Martinez, President and CEO of UMOS Inc. “In 2013, the UMOS food pantry distributed over 515,000 pounds of food to 11,250 families, including 14,800 children – that’s a 47% increase over 2012.”
“While our hungry neighbors are at the forefront during the holiday season when we all counting our blessings, we often forget that hunger does not end with the holidays,” said Dan Taivalkoski, Executive Director of Racine County Food Bank. “Thanks to generous contributions like the one Racine County received from Tyson Foods today, many of our less fortunate friends and neighbors in Racine County will not know hunger in the months ahead. Hunger is 100% Curable!”
“This healthy and generous donation from LULAC and Tyson Foods will feed literally thousands of the people who come to the FOOD Pantry of Waukesha County each month,” said Karen Tredwell, Executive Director of Waukesha Food Pantry. “We are grateful for caring and compassionate donors who show their concern for our neighbors in need.”
“Thank you Tyson Foods and LULAC for this wonderful donation,” said Barb Madrigrano, Food Pantry Manager, Shalom Center. “The donation will help feed many Kenosha families in need. Shalom Center is grateful for the opportunity to provide our clients with Tyson chicken.
###
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 900 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.lulac.org.
Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN), 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 was founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson, whose family has continued to be involved with son Don Tyson leading the company for many years and grandson John H. Tyson serving as the current Chairman of the Board of Directors. Tyson Foods 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. The company provides products and services to customers throughout the United States and approximately 130 countries. It has approximately 115,000 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 Foods 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.