HUNGER GAMES FOOD DRIVE STARTS THURSDAY
PRESS RELEASE - March 20, 2012 Contact: Kathy Smith, Community Relations Director (423)477-4053 x 203
Northeast Tennessee – Local theaters are holding food drives Northeast Tennessee during the premiere of “the Hunger Games” movie. Donations of non-perishable food will be accepted March 22 through May 1 at the following theaters; Carmike Theaters – Johnson City, 1805 N Roan St, Johnson City, TN, Marquee Cinemas – Kingsport, 2101 Fort Henry Dr, Kingsport, TN and Tri Cities 7- Blountville, 354 Shadowtown Rd, Blountville, TN.
In the United States, 1 in 6 Americans face hunger, nearly 49 million people. “Thanks to our partnership with Lionsgate, The Hunger Games will help us expand much needed public awareness of the issue and encourage people to join Feeding America in our commitment to helping ensure that everyone has enough to eat,” states Vicki Escara, President and CEO of Feeding America.
The Hunger Games movie is generating a lot of interest in the issue of hunger. The cast and producers are teaming up with the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) and Feeding America to raise awareness about hunger in the United States and around the world, including the launch of a video public service announcement and a new website wfp.org/hungergames. Hunger is the world’s greatest solvable problem, affecting 1 in 7 people – almost one billion men, women and children around the world.
Food collected during the Hunger Games Food Drives help over 36,000 people who face hunger in Northeast Tennessee each month and look to Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee and Food Bank agencies for assistance. “The need for food is up but supplies are down,” states Food Bank Executive Director, Rhonda Chafin. “There has been a 25% increase in the demand for food since last year yet we are trending to distribute about 1 million pounds less than 2011 if food donations don’t increase soon.” Everyone can help by supporting this and other food drives
Support for the Hungry Exceeds Expectations from Bristol Motor Speedway Races!
Northeast, TN – More people in need will be helped due to the efforts of the Bristol Motor Speedway races. A $20,000 donation for the Drive to End Hunger from Food City, Pepsi Max, AARP Foundation and Jeff Gordon was donated to the campaign that will benefit the regional food banks in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. Nearly over 4 tons of nutritious leftover food was also rescued on Monday and Tuesday!
“The Bristol races provide many opportunities for Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee to raise food and funds to help those in need,” states Rhonda Chafin, Executive Director of Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee, “The need for food is up but supplies are down. There has been a 25% increase in the demand for food since last year yet we are trending to distribute about 1 million pounds less than 2011 if food donations don’t increase soon.”
In addition to the food and monetary donations they received Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee was able to provide volunteers for activities that support Speedway Children’s Charities that will result in funding programs that help children and families in need.
The need for food assistance in Northeast Tennessee continues to grow. Approximately 8 million pounds of food and grocery products were distributed by the Food Bank during fiscal year 2011 through food bank agencies and programs serving over 36,000 individuals per month. For information visit the Food Bank’s website www.netfoodbank.org