Perdue Farms is providing financial support and food to aid recovery efforts in North Carolina and South Carolina following record-breaking flooding caused by Hurricane Matthew.
Perdue, through its charitable giving arm The Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, has contributed $60,000 to support recovery efforts in the Carolinas. The monies are being earmarked to Red Cross chapters in regions where our associates live and work in North and South Carolina.
“The losses endured by thousands of Carolinians, including so many of our associates and their families, is heartbreaking,” said Kim Nechay, executive director of the Perdue Foundation. “Based on our experience with other disaster relief, we know that every dollar of support is essential to help those who need it most. We hope our contribution will speed the recovery process in the region.”
“The response to the flooding in the Carolinas will cost in the millions, but the full impact on our residents who are just beginning to put their lives back together will not be fully measured for months,” said Barry Porter, chief executive officer of the Eastern North Carolina Region of the American Red Cross. “The Red Cross greatly depends on the generosity of the public and private sector to support relief efforts. Red Cross served these communities with disaster preparedness and relief services before Hurricane Matthew and we’ll be supporting the recovery efforts of our neighbors for weeks to come. We’re very grateful for Perdue’s generosity and assistance in our mission to alleviate human suffering.”
Perdue Foods has also delivered 213,000 pounds of protein — the equivalent of 276,000 meals — to Feeding America-affiliated food banks and relief centers in the Carolinas to assist with Matthew relief efforts.
“Our thoughts and prayers remain with all those affected by this tragedy, including many of our own associates,” said Randy Day, Chief Operating Officer. “We’ve worked with our food bank partners in the Carolinas to ensure our food donations are helping those in their time of need.”
“The donations from Perdue were critical in Harvest Hope’s response to Hurricane Matthew,” said Denise Holland, executive director of Harvest Hope Food Bank of Columbia. “Through Perdue’s generosity we were able to provide badly needed relief through mobile food pantries and meal kitchens.”
As Peter Werbicki, President and CEO of Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, explains, “The food bank is here for the recovery period. We are continuing with our everyday work to feed people in need, and at the same time supporting those who have been impacted by the storm. It will take a long time for people to recover from this and we appreciate the generosity of Perdue in answering the call and providing critical resources to help those most in need.”
Perdue has partnered with Feeding America since 2000 in their efforts to fight hunger and provide relief in times of natural disasters. Perdue has pledged a minimum annual donation of two million pounds of food to Feeding America for distribution to community food banks and pantries.
Source: Perdue Farms
