BJ’s Charitable Foundation Helps Local Hunger-Relief Agencies Feed More Families
BJ’s Charitable Foundation awards $600K to Feeding America and 21 Member Food Banks
September 9, 2015 /3BL Media/ - In honor of Hunger Action MonthTM, BJ’s Charitable Foundation announces today that it will provide grants to Feeding America® and 21 member food banks totaling $600,000. Grants will support capacity building, food safety training and transportation costs for its local agencies, shelters, food pantries and other feeding programs. After helping to expand capacity in 2014 for more than 400 feeding pantries and programs that resulted in over 10 million more pounds of food to be donated, BJ’s Charitable Foundation will invest additional funding this year to further prevent a bottleneck in the supply chain for food distribution to Americans facing hunger.
Food Banks typically have ample space and storage to provide product for local food pantries and feeding programs. Those same local hunger organizations, however, are often limited by a lack of equipment to move donations and provide safe storage for perishable items. Many organizations also encounter limited staff availability and training to support more high-functioning operations. The BJ’s Charitable Foundation grants will help those local organizations safely pick up more donated product from local supporters and distribute more perishable foods to community members in need – a crucial component in the fight to solve hunger.
“At BJ’s, we’re always looking for new ways to partner with Food Banks and local organizations to help solve hunger in our communities,” said Laura Sen, CEO of BJ’s Wholesale Club. “Through this grant, equipment from refrigerated vehicles to coolers as well as food safety training and other costs related to agency success will result in more nutritious food getting to the people who need it most.”
One in seven Americans, more than 46 million people, including 12 million children, rely on Feeding America’s food pantries and meal service programs to feed themselves and their families, according to a study released by Feeding America. Now, it’s more critical than ever to maximize the amount of fresh food that makes it through the supply chain as safely and efficiently as possible.
“Food insecurity is an issue that impacts every community. Local food pantries, shelters and meal programs are essential to solving hunger and to delivering meals to individuals who may not know where their next meal will come from,” said Nancy Curby, vice president of corporate partnerships. “Feeding America is thankful to BJ’s Charitable Foundation and its support of member agencies’ efforts to safely distribute even more food and resources to community members in need.”
In every state BJ’s Clubs operates, BJ’s Charitable Foundation is awarding grants ranging from $30,000-$23,500 to the following 21 food banks to support agency capacity needs: Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank (OH); Feeding Northeast Florida (FL); Foodshare (CT); Fredericksburg Area Food Bank (VA); Second Harvest Food Bank of Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania (PA); Philabundance (PA); The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts (MA); Atlanta Community Food Bank (GA); City Harvest (NY); Feeding South Florida (FL); FeedMore (VA); Food Bank of Delaware (DE); Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties (NJ); Food Bank of Western New York (NY); Foodlink, Inc. (NY); Good Shepherd Food Bank (ME); Maryland Food Bank (MD); New Hampshire Food Bank (NH); Rhode Island Community Food Bank (RI); Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina (NC); and The Greater Boston Food Bank (MA).
Since 2011, BJ’s has partnered with Feeding America, the leading domestic hunger-relief organization, in the fight against hunger through the BJ’s Feeding Communities program. To date, BJ’s 208 clubs have contributed perishable food totaling more than 30 million pounds, which is the equivalent of 28 million meals.
About BJ’s Wholesale Club
Headquartered in Westborough, Massachusetts, BJ's is a leading operator of membership warehouse clubs in the Eastern United States. The company currently operates 208 clubs in 15 states.
BJ’s provides a one-stop shopping destination filled with more top-quality, leading brands including its exclusive Wellsley Farms and Berkley Jensen brands, which are all backed by BJ’s 100% money-back guarantee; more fresh foods from USDA Choice meats to premium produce to delicious organics in many supermarket sizes; and more great value and amazing savings every day. BJ’s is also the only membership club to accept all manufacturers' coupons and for greater convenience offers the most payment options.
Giving back has always been at the very core of BJ’s culture. Through local clubs, volunteerism, BJ’s Feeding Communities, Adopt-A-School Program, BJ’s Charitable Foundation, and many more, the company supports and enhances programs that provide vital services within each community it serves. To learn more, visit www.bjs.com/community.
To check out all the MORE BJ’s has to offer, visit www.BJs.com and for exclusive content find us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
About BJ’s Charitable Foundation®
BJ’s Charitable Foundation was established with the mission to enrich every community BJ’s Wholesale Clubs serve. The Foundation supports nonprofit organizations that primarily benefit the underprivileged in the areas of hunger prevention and education. For more information about BJ’s Charitable Foundation, please visit, www.bjs.com/charity.
About Feeding America®
Feeding America is a nationwide network of 200 food banks that leads the fight against hunger in the United States. Together, we provide food to more than 46 million people through food pantries and meal programs in communities throughout America. Feeding America also supports programs that improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Individuals, charities, businesses and government all have a role in ending hunger. Donate. Volunteer. Advocate. Educate. Together we can solve hunger. Visit http://www.feedingamerica.org/. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FeedingAmerica.
