Hebron, Md. (Monday, October 20, 2014) — The Epoch Dream Center after-school program received a $5,000 grant funded by the Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, the charitable giving arm of Perdue Farms, to assist in the costs associated with providing dinner after school to under-resourced children.

“We are so appreciative for the incredible generosity of the Perdue Foundation for supporting this initiative,” said Erin Sheehan, administrative director of The Epoch Dream Center. “This support will go far in helping us provide our students with a nutritious dinner after-school.”

The Epoch Dream Center, established in 2013, is a free after-school program located in western Wicomico County that serves under-resourced children attending Westside Primary and Intermediate schools. The Center provides an after-school snack, academic support, physical activities, mentoring, character development and dinner to students in first through fifth grades. This year, the Center doubled in size and serves more than 28 students.

“Nearly half of the student population at the Westside Schools participate in the Free and Reduced Meal Program, but there is currently not a food pantry in that area to help nourish these children outside of the school day. The Epoch Dream Center is helping to fill this void and doing so in remarkable fashion,” said Kim Nechay, executive director of the Arthur W. Perdue Foundation.

“Their after-school program is helping these at-risk children by providing them homework help, mentors and an evening meal to assure they do not go home hungry. We are happy to help them fulfill their mission by providing them funds to make these meals nutritious and delicious.”

For more information on how you can get involved at The Epoch Dream Center, visit www.epochdreamcenter.com or email Erin Sheehan at erin@epochdreamcenter.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.™