CHICAGO,
June 25, 2009 –President
Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama today
joined hundreds of Congressional family members,
Feeding America and four additional national
nonprofit organizations at
Ft.
McNair in
Washington
DC
to prepare 15,000 backpacks with books, healthy
snacks, Frisbees and other items for the
children of servicemen and women.
The event is part of “United We Serve,”
President Obama's call to Americans to engage in
service projects and create meaningful impact in
their towns and communities. The initiative is
being led by the Corporation for National and
Community Service, the federal agency dedicated
to fostering service in communities across the
country.
“Knowing that we’re able to help families of
those individuals defending our country at home
and abroad is incredibly powerful,” said Vicki
Escarra, President and CEO of Feeding America,
the nation’s largest hunger-relief
organization. “While these service members
honor their duty, we can honor them and their
families by helping those people who don’t know
always know where they will find their next
meal.”
People around the country can also participate
in the “United We Serve” Summer of Service
Campaign by taking part in Feeding America’s
“Fill America’s Fridge Virtual Food Drive,” with
the goal of providing at least one million meals
to those in need.
“The
economy has sent shockwaves through households
across the country, challenging food banks to
keep up with rising demand,” said Escarra. “Due
to the efficiency of Feeding America’s network
of food banks, making a donation to Feeding
America is the best way to make the biggest
impact in the fight against hunger. “
“With one in eight Americans struggling with the
issue of hunger, this campaign is a phenomenal
way for people across the country to get
involved with a national issue on a local
level,” added Escarra.
In
addition to participating in the virtual food
drive supporters
can also pledge to volunteer with their local
food bank or become a hunger advocate during the
summer months and all year round. To participate
in Feeding America’s Fill America’s
Fridge Virtual Food Drive
or to learn more about other ways to help
American’s in need, visit
www.feedingamerica.org/serve.
# # #
About Feeding
America
Feeding
America is the nation's leading
domestic hunger-relief charity, providing
individuals and families with the means to
survive and even thrive. Serving the entire
United States,
more than 200 member food banks support 63,000
agencies (soup kitchens and food pantries) that
address hunger in all of its forms. The Feeding
America network supplies food to more than 25
million Americans each year – including 9
million children and 3 million seniors. For more
information on how you can fight hunger in your
community and across the country, visit
www.feedingamerica.org.