Salisbury, Md. (Thursday, September 18, 2014) — Perdue Farms, as part of its commitment to fight hunger in the communities in which it operates, has partnered with Meals on Wheels of Middle Georgia Inc. to provide hot meals for at-risk seniors.

A $4,875 grant funded by the Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, the company’s charitable giving arm, is providing 780 nutritious meals for one year to three seniors on the Meals On Wheels’ waiting list in Monroe County.

“We’re thrilled to have received this grant from the Arthur W. Perdue Foundation to support our mission,” said Cathy Pope, executive director of Meals on Wheels of Middle Georgia. “More than 17 percent of Georgia seniors face the threat of hunger, well above the national average. Our goal is to eliminate the waiting list so that no senior in our community goes hungry.”

Meals on Wheels of Middle Georgia serves more than 1,000 clients with meals in Bibb, Jones, Crawford and Monroe counties. There are more than 300 seniors on the waiting list.

“Many of our seniors are forced to choose between buying medication or buying food,” said Pope. “These are seniors who have contributed decades of their lives to their communities but many now find that they do not know how they will get their next meal. Achieving food security for our seniors is a basic need and when we show our seniors the respect they deserve, provide friendship, comfort and hope, everyone in the community benefits.”

As Wally Hunter, director of operations at Perdue’s processing plant in Perry, Ga., explains, “At Perdue, we know how important the Meals on Wheels program is to the elderly throughout the country and here in Middle Georgia. The food nourishes the body and the visit by volunteers who deliver the meals nourishes the spirit. We are so happy to ensure that these needs are met for more seniors through this grant.”

About Meals On Wheels Of Middle Georgia Inc.
Meals on Wheels of Middle Georgia Inc., a non-profit service agency, has proudly served the senior population in Bibb County since 1974 by providing nutritious meals and other services. We work closely with the Area Agency on Aging to deliver services to homebound elderly and disabled residents in Bibb, Crawford, Jones and Monroe counties. Our volunteers and staff are delivering more than good food; we provide friendship, comfort and hope. We believe that our elders and disabled neighbors retain a sense of independence and dignity when they are able to live in their own homes. To learn more, visit www.mealsonwheelsmidga.com.

About Perdue Farms
Perdue Farms is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for everyone we touch through innovative food and agricultural products. Since our beginning on Arthur Perdue’s farm in 1920, to our expansion into agribusiness and the introduction of the PERDUE® brand of chicken and turkey under Frank Perdue, and continuing with our third generation of leadership with Chairman Jim Perdue, we’ve remained family owned and family operated. We are the parent company of Perdue Foods and Perdue AgriBusiness. Through our PERDUE®, HARVESTLAND® and COLEMAN NATURAL®, and COLEMAN ORGANIC® food brands; agricultural products and services; and stewardship and corporate responsibility programs, we are working to become the most-trusted name in food and agricultural products.

About The Arthur W. Perdue Foundation
The 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.™