Cargill donates $193,000 to Kansas Food Bank
Press conference Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Food Bank
Date: Dec. 21, 2009
Contact:
Mark Klein, 952-742-6211, mark_klein@cargill.com
Brian Walker, 316-265-6467, kansasfb@swbell.net
WICHITA, Kan. - Ten Cargill businesses in Wichita are giving the Kansas Food Bank Warehouse a Christmas present of a combined cash and food value of $193,000.
"Although the economy is showing signs of recovering, times are still tough for many people in Kansas," said Steve Matson, facility manager for Cargill's Horizon Milling flour business and chairman of the Wichita Cargill Cares committee. "Cargill has a strong partnership with the Kansas Food Bank, and we know they can provide the help where it's needed."
The $193,000 donation is made up of a cash donation of $141,000 and the rest in flour and meat. The Cargill businesses in Wichita are Horizon Milling, Cargill Grain & Oilseed Supply Chain, Cargill Dressing, Sauces & Oils, and seven Cargill meat businesses.
The flour will be unloaded at the Food Bank, 1919 E. Douglas, at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Representatives from Cargill and the Food Bank will be on hand for interviews.
"Cargill and its employees have been strong supporters of hunger relief efforts in our community and across the country for many years," said Brian Walker, president and CEO of the Kansas Food Bank. "The Kansas Food Bank is very grateful for the support in the fight against hunger in our community. Demand for hunger relief is at record levels and support like this could not have come at a better time."
Part of the cash grant will provide food bank credits to a number of local organizations, including Positive Directions, Bread of Life, KETCH, Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, Senior Services/Meals on Wheels, United Methodist Urban Ministry and Inter-Faith Ministries.
The Food Bank's warehouse on East Douglas is named the Cargill Cares Complex. Cargill Cares is an employee-led group whose mission is to assist in meeting Cargill's commitment to the community through charitable contributions and donations, as well as to advise, support and assist implementation of volunteer opportunities for Cargill employees.
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About the Kansas Food Bank
The Kansas Food Bank, Inc. was incorporated in 1983 and began operations in 1984 in a rented building serving 16 agencies in Sedgwick County. It distributed 100,000 pounds of food in the first six months. Since that time, it has expanded to serving more than 400 agencies in 86 Kansas counties distributing more than 4.5 million pounds of food each year. The Kansas Food Bank provides at least part of a meal to more than 32,600 people each week across the state of Kansas. For more information, visit http://www.ksfoodbank.org/.
About Cargill Cares
Cargill Cares is an employee-led group of Cargill. Its mission is to assist in meeting Cargill's commitment to the community through charitable contributions and donations, as well as to advise, support and assist implementation of volunteer opportunities for Cargill employees. The Wichita Council of Cargill Cares focuses on ensuring an accessible, nutritious, safe food supply; promoting innovation in education; and demonstrating responsible stewardship of natural resources. For more information, visit http://www.cargill.com/corporate-responsibility/community-engagement/cargill-volunteers/cargill-cares-councils/index.jsp .
About Cargill
Cargill is an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products and services. Founded in 1865, the privately held company employs 159,000 people in 68 countries. Cargill helps customers succeed through collaboration and innovation, and is committed to applying its global knowledge and experience to help meet economic, environmental and social challenges wherever it does business. http://www.cargill.com/
