Salisbury. Md. (January 8, 2014)  — Perdue, through the support of the Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, has awarded a $3,000 grant to help Lighthouse Ministries in Keller, Va., expand its ability to aid homeless individuals and families on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.

“We’ve lacked facilities to adequately accommodate families or those individuals with disabilities,” said Gina Crockett, Lighthouse Ministries’ coordinator. “This grant helps move us closer to that reality. We’re blessed to have the support of Perdue and the Arthur W. Perdue Foundation.”

Crockett said Lighthouse Ministries hopes to break ground on the $300,000 project by summer of 2014.

In 2012, the Lighthouse Ministries’ Board of Directors launched a capital campaign called “Lighting the Way” to raise the necessary funds to build an addition to its home for women, which will provide the necessary structure for families and the handicapped.

“On many occasions, we have been in a position of not being able to provide proper shelter to the handicapped due to the structure of our two old farmhouses used for shelter homes. We have also seen a need to provide a proper setting for families who are in need of shelter,” said Crockett. “When families come to us, we often find it necessary to locate the father in one shelter home and the mother and children in a separate home. This project will provide much-needed accommodations to help those most in need.”

Kim Nechay, executive director of the Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, said, “At Perdue, we’re committed to supporting organizations that share our belief in making our communities better places to live, work, play and raise families. Thanks to the good work of Lighthouse Ministries, individuals and families on the Eastern Shore of Virginia have a safe haven to help them through a most difficult time. We’re proud to support their mission through a grant from the Arthur W. Perdue Foundation.”

About Lighthouse Ministries
Lighthouse House Ministries was founded in 1985 by Betty Howell and Sharon Booker, who began by providing food and clothes from the trunk of their car to those in need. A Christian-based organization in Keller, Va., Lighthouse Ministries’ mission has grown to provide shelter to the homeless, food for the hungry, clothes to the needy and a referral service for those dealing with substance abuse. Lighthouse Ministries added a thrift store in 2000 and a furniture store in 2010. To learn more about Lighthouse Ministries and its “Lighting the Way” capital campaign, contact Crockett at 757-710-3893 or by email at heislord89@yahoo.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. Learn more about Perdue Farms and our Corporate Responsibility Report at www.perduefarms.com.

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.™