The 2021 Perdue Strike Out Hunger Challenge on Delmarva delivered more than 173,000 meals across the region. From left to right are Drew Getty, assistant general counsel for Perdue Farms and his son Jack, Mike Hooks, operations manager, Maryland Food Bank, Eastern Shore branch, Angel Fields of the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, Meghan Sullivan, special events manager, Food Bank of Delaware, Chad Robinson, community relations director, Food Bank of Delaware, and Jimmy Sweet, assistant general manager, Delmarva Shorebirds.
2021 Perdue Strike Out Hunger Challenge on Delmarva Delivers 173,000 Meals for Hunger Relief
Delmarva Shorebirds, foods banks and community partnership help families amid pandemic
September 23, 2021
SALISBURY, MD. (Thursday, September 23, 2021) — As part of Perdue Farms’ “Delivering Hope to Our Neighbors®” initiative to improve the quality of life in our communities, the company teamed with the Delmarva Shorebirds minor league baseball team and three Delmarva Peninsula food banks to deliver 173,000 meals across the region’s communities in the season-long 2021 Perdue Strike Out Hunger Challenge on Delmarva.
“The impact of the pandemic has brought so much uncertainty and challenge to individuals and families struggling with food insecurity on the Delmarva Peninsula,” said Kim Nechay, executive director of the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation. “After pausing the Strike Out Hunger Challenge last year because of the pandemic, we’re pleased that this year’s campaign once again provided a collaborative platform to raise public awareness about the problem of hunger and food insecurity and deliver much-needed relief to our neighbors in the communities where we live and work.”
According to research from the food banks, on average one in seven people on the Delmarva Peninsula are challenged by food insecurity. One third of that food-insecure population is children.
Since 2011, Perdue, the Shorebirds, food banks and the community at-large have embraced the Strike Out Hunger Challenge to generate more than 1.2 million meals for those in need on Delmarva.
“The Delmarva Shorebirds are so proud of this collaborative partnership that continues to put food on the table for so many of our neighbors in need during these difficult times,” said Jimmy Sweet, assistant general manager of the Delmarva Shorebirds. “We look forward to continuing our work with Perdue in this important effort to improve the quality of life on Delmarva.”
To drive this year’s Perdue Strike Out Hunger Challenge on Delmarva, Perdue Farms issued a $15,000 challenge grant funded by the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Foundation — the charitable giving arm of the company — to benefit the Eastern Shore Branch of the Maryland Food Bank, the Food Bank of Delaware and the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore.
Each of the food banks were required to engage the Delmarva community to raise the equivalent of 10,000 meals to claim their equal share of the first $10,000 of the Foundation challenge grant. This included any combination of pounds of food collected, monies collected and donated, or volunteer hours throughout the duration of the Shorebirds’ season. Perdue also donated $10 for each time the Shorebirds’ pitchers struck out an opposing batter, up to $5,000.
“This annual campaign remains a pivotal part of the Maryland Food Banks’ ability to meet the needs of those who struggle to feed their families, “said Jennifer Small, senior regional program director for the Eastern Shore branch of the Maryland Food Bank. “As a result of our longstanding partnership with Perdue Farms and the Delmarva Shorebirds, and the support committed through the Perdue Strike Out Hunger Challenge on Delmarva, we are able to provide more food to Eastern Shore Marylanders challenged by food insecurity.”
As Chad Robinson, community relations manager for the Food Bank of Delaware, explains, “We are so grateful for Perdue’s leadership with this annual initiative. Partners like Perdue play a critical role in not only raising much needed funds but bringing awareness of the critical issue that so many in our community face.”
About the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation
The Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, the charitable giving arm of Perdue Farms, was established in 1957 by company founder Arthur W. Perdue and is funded through the estates of Arthur W. Perdue and Frank Perdue. As part of our belief in supporting the communities where and with whom we do business, the Foundation provides grants on behalf of Perdue Farms in communities where large numbers of our associates live and work. At Perdue Farms, we believe in responsible food and agriculture®.
About Perdue Farms
We’re a fourth-generation, family owned, U.S. food and agriculture company. Through our belief in responsible food and agriculture, we are empowering consumers, customers, and farmers through trusted choices in products and services.
The premium protein portfolio within our Perdue Foods business, including our flagship PERDUE® brand, Niman Ranch®, Panorama Organic Grass-Fed Meats®, Coleman Natural®, and Yummy®, as well as our pet brands, Spot Farms® and Full Moon®, is available through various channels including retail, foodservice, club stores, and our direct-to-consumer website, PerdueFarms.com.
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