Salisbury, Md. — Building on a company commitment to fighting hunger in our communities, Perdue Farms joins the Delmarva Shorebirds, the Class A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, in announcing the launch of the “2012 Perdue Strike Out Hunger Challenge on Delmarva” campaign on behalf of the three Delmarva food banks.
To help drive the season-long “Perdue Strike Out Hunger Challenge on Delmarva” campaign, Perdue has issued a $15,000 challenge grant funded through the Arthur W. Perdue Foundation to benefit the Eastern Shore Branch of the Maryland Food Bank, the Food Bank of Delaware and the Eastern Shore Branch of the Food Bank of Southeastern Virginia.
“The 2012 Perdue Strike Out Hunger Challenge on Delmarva provides the forum to continue the awareness and community involvement that was successfully generated through Perdue’s sponsorship of last year’s South Atlantic League ‘Perdue Strike Out Hunger All-Star Game’ promotions,” said Bill Hetherington, executive director of the Arthur W. Perdue Foundation. “The food banks and the Shorebirds have embraced this new challenge campaign — now we’re hoping the community will join us in our efforts. Together, we can ‘Strike Out Hunger on Delmarva.’ ”
How the challenge works
The first $10,000 of the challenge grant will be divided equally among the three Delmarva food banks as a challenge to involve the Delmarva community in fighting hunger on Delmarva. Each of the food banks must raise the equivalent of 10,000 meals in order to claim their share of the $10,000. This can be in any combination of pounds of food collected, funds collected and donated or volunteer efforts from the opening of the 2012 season through the final home game of the regular season on Thursday, Aug. 30.
Bill Hetherington, center, executive director of the Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, joins representatives of the Delmarva Shorebirds and Delmarva’s three food banks in announcing a $15,000 Arthur W. Perdue Foundation grant to support the “2012 Perdue Strike Out Hunger Challenge on Delmarva.” Pictured from left to right are Chris Bitters, Delmarva Shorebirds general manager, Charmin Horton, Food Bank of Southeastern Virginia, Eastern Shore branch manager, Hetherington, Charlotte McGarry, programs director for the Food Bank of Delaware, and Jim Weir, operations manager for the Food Bank of Delaware.
Perdue has also committed to donating $10 for each time the Shorebirds’ pitchers strike out an opposing batter (up to $5,000). The $5,000 will be split equally between the three Delmarva food banks.
Shorebirds plan Strike Out Hunger promotions
The Shorebirds will run promotions throughout the regular season to benefit the “Perdue Strike Out Hunger Challenge on Delmarva.”
The Shorebirds have designated the season’s 10 Sunday home games as “Strike Out Hunger Challenge Sundays.” If fans bring two non-perishable food items they can receive a general admission ticket to that day’s game for $2. Food collected from the 10 Sunday home games will be distributed equally among the three food banks.
In addition, Arthur W. Perdue Stadium will house food donation barrels at all regular season home games, making it easy for fans to help by bringing food to the game or just stopping by the stadium.
A profound partnership in fight against hunger
“We are all so happy for the opportunity to participate again with Perdue and the Shorebirds on such a profound partnership in the fight against hunger,” said Jennifer Small, Eastern Shore branch manager, Maryland Food Bank. “The community support this creates will have a great impact helping the Maryland Food Bank feed the more than 25,000 people we are feeding per month through our 130 Network Partners throughout eight Eastern Shore counties. Whether you are in Maryland, Delaware or Virginia, you can help us Strike Out Hunger.”
The food banks will be working with businesses, groups and individuals throughout the Shore that would like to be involved.
If you or your organization would like to get involved in the Perdue Strike Out Hunger Challenge on Delmarva campaign, contact the Shorebirds or one of the three participating food banks.
About Perdue and the Arthur. W. Perdue Foundation
PERDUE® is the No. 1 brand of fresh chicken in the Eastern United States. Ranked as the third largest poultry company in the U.S., Perdue is a leading international food and agriculture family of businesses providing quality products and services to customers in more than 100 countries. Privately held and family-run for three generations, the company employs more than 21,000 associates and partners with more than 2,200 independent farm families — all of whom share in the commitment to quality that has guided the company since its founding in 1920.
The Arthur W. Perdue Foundation is a tax-exempt charitable foundation established in 1957 by the founder of Perdue Incorporated. Grants are distributed for the improvement of life in the community through support of the arts, community development, education, health, human services and youth activities.
For more information, visit www.perdue.com™
Source: Perdue and the Arthur. W. Perdue Foundation