KRAFT FOODS MOBILE PANTRY HITS THE ROAD
Thousands of Good Shepherd Food-Bank clients to receive emergency food
July 8, 2010
Auburn, ME – Good Shepherd Food-Bank is increasing its fight against hunger with the addition of the new Kraft Foods Mobile Pantry to its fleet. The refrigerated vehicle that made its official debut at the South Portland Food Cupboard on Thursday, July 8, is part of a national program from Kraft Foods and its Foundation, in partnership with Feeding America, the nation’s leading hunger-relief organization, that will put up to 25 mobile pantries on the road over three years.
The new “food pantry on wheels” along with the Food-Bank’s current Food Mobile, will be making numerous stops this summer throughout Maine to deliver a variety of nutritious foods to those who are hungry. The Food Mobile program plans to make dozens of stops in communities throughout the state. It is estimated that 400,000 pounds of food will be provided to more than 15,000 individuals this year through the Food Mobile program.
“We’re seeing an unprecedented number of people needing emergency food assistance. Right here in Maine demand has increased at the Food-Bank by 20 percent over the past year,” said Rick Small, executive director of the Food-Bank. “The donation of the new Food Mobile from Kraft Foods could not come at a better time. It will help us to dramatically increase the number of clients we are able to reach throughout the state and fulfill our mission of feeding Maine’s hungry.”
Volunteers from Kraft Foods and Hannaford, Kraft Foods local retail partner and long-time supporter of the Food-Bank, helped to provide more than 80 families and individuals with enough food to last a week.
In addition to the truck donated to Good Shepherd Food-Bank, mobile food pantries were also donated to food banks in Comstock Park, MI; Elizabeth City, NC; Erie, PA; Irvine, CA; Pembroke Park, FL; Richmond, VA; and Valdosta, GA.
“The mobile pantry truck will increase the reach of Good Shepherd Food-Bank to help feed more families,” aid Bill French, Customer Business Manager for Kraft Foods. “The trucks are a food oasis, helping reach those that might not have access to emergency food assistance. And with a mix of fresh fruits and vegetables, families have more options for good nutrition and balanced meals.”
An Innovative Solution to a Growing Problem
For many families facing financial troubles and struggling to put dinner on the table, help is hard to find. In this country, we’re hearing more each day about the growing problem of “food deserts” – rural and urban communities where residents might not have access to a grocery store, emergency food assistance, or food of good nutritional balance. The Food Mobile program serves as an oasis of nutritional food in these underserved areas as well as areas that have been hard hit by the recession or natural disasters.
Unprecedented Demand for Help
The state of the economy is affecting more Americans than any other time in recent history. The US Department of Agriculture now reports that one in six Americans is food insecure. Feeding America reports a 46 percent increase in the number of people seeking emergency food assistance through their nationwide network compared to four years ago. To put it another way, the Feeding America network is serving one million more people each week. In Maine, Good Shepherd Food-Bank is currently serving more than 36,000 people each week.
Fighting hunger is not new for Kraft Foods. As the nation’s largest food company, it has partnered with Feeding America for decades to do just that. Most recently, the Foundation reinforced its commitment by donating $180 million over a three-year period to community involvement activities around the globe. The mobile pantry program is just one way they are making good on that commitment.
“Kraft Foods is a longtime, dedicated partner of Feeding America and we are so grateful for their innovative role in the fight against hunger,” said Vicki Escarra, President and CEO of Feeding America. “These mobile pantries allow access to healthy, vital food for people who may otherwise not have access. No American should go hungry and we thank Kraft Foods for supporting Feeding America in the fight to end domestic hunger.”
