Salisbury, Md. — Perdue volunteers joined Chairman Jim Perdue in presenting a check for $254,200 in support of the United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore. The contribution includes associates pledges of nearly $175,000 and a $77,000 grant funded by the Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, bringing the local United Way closer to reaching its $1.6 million campaign goal.
“We’re are truly blessed to have a partner like Perdue Farms and their compassionate associates who give so freely of themselves each and every year to United Way,” said Kathleen Mommé, executive director of the United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore. “Our community would be devastated without their support. Perdue associates help create a safety net that touches the hearts and lives of thousands of residents each year. Their generous contributions this year will help ensure we can continue to meet the needs of Lower Shore residents.”
Perdue is the No. 1 contributor to the 2011 United Way campaign. Perdue associates have contributed more than $2.25 million to the United Way campaign since 1994.
Even in a challenging economy, Perdue associates reached deep into their pockets in 2011. All the money raised will help support crucial programs and services delivered by 26 local agencies through 60 programs on the Lower Shore.
Jennifer Cannon, Perdue campaign co-chairman, explains that a coordinated network of dedicated associates across Perdue facilities in Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset and Dorchester counties helped spread the word about this year’s campaign.
“We visited every one of our facilities, sharing personal stories about agencies supported by the United Way, and answering questions,” she said. “We helped our associates understand that United Way touches people directly in our community and showed how their contributions would be put to work in the local community.”
Cannon said this year’s campaign was bolstered by the grass-roots fund-raising efforts organized by associates that raised more than $2,200 through raffles and luncheons.
“At Perdue, our associates have a long and strong history of generosity,” said Perdue Chairman Jim Perdue. “It never ceases to amaze me how our associates respond to the needs of their community through their commitment to the United Way.”
About Perdue and The Arthur W. Perdue Foundation
The Perdue Family of Companies includes Perdue Farms, Perdue AgriBusiness, and our shared services organizations. Since our beginning on Arthur Perdue’s farm in 1920, through expansion into agribusiness and the introduction of the PERDUE® brand of chicken and turkey under Frank Perdue, to today’s third-generation of family leadership with Chairman Jim Perdue, we’ve remained a family-owned company dedicated to making Perdue the most-trusted name in food and agricultural products. At the Perdue Family of Companies, we believe in responsible food and agriculture™.
The Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, the charitable giving arm of the Perdue Family of Companies, was established in 1957 by company founder Arthur W. Perdue and is funded through the estates of Arthur W. Perdue and Frank Perdue. As part of our belief in supporting the communities where and with whom we do business, the Foundation provides grants on behalf of the Perdue Family of Companies communities where large numbers of our associates live work.
Source: Perdue and The Arthur W. Perdue Foundation