Salisbury, Md. (February 15, 2013) – Perdue Farms' associates joined Chairman Jim Perdue in presenting a check for $271,788.17 in support of the United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore during a presentation here on Friday, Feb. 15. The contribution included associates’ pledges of $191,788.17, the single largest employee-generated contribution in the 68-year history of the organization. Perdue's contribution also included an $80,000 grant funded by the Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, bringing the local United Way closer to reaching its $1.55 million campaign goal for 2012.

“We’re are truly blessed to have a partner like Perdue Farms and their compassionate associates who give so freely of themselves each and every year to United Way,” said Kathleen Mommé, executive director of the United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore. “Our community would be devastated without their support. Perdue associates help create a safety net that touches the hearts and lives of thousands of residents each year. Their generous contributions this year will help ensure we can continue to meet the needs of Lower Shore residents.”

Perdue is the No. 1 contributor to the 2012 United Way campaign. Perdue associates have contributed more than $2.4 million to the United Way campaign since 1994.

Even in a challenging economy, Perdue associates reached deep into their pockets in 2012. All the money raised will help support crucial programs and services delivered by 24 local agencies through 53 programs on the Lower Shore.

Jennifer Cannon, Perdue campaign co-chairman, explains that a coordinated network of dedicated associates across Perdue facilities in Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset and Dorchester counties helped spread the word about this year’s campaign.

“We visited many of our facilities, sharing personal stories about agencies supported by the United Way, and answering questions,” she said. “We helped our associates understand that United Way touches people directly in our community and showed how their contributions would be put to work in the local community.”

Cannon said this year’s campaign was bolstered by the grass-roots fund-raising efforts organized by associates that raised more than $1,639 through raffles and luncheons.

“At Perdue, our associates have a long and strong history of generosity,” said Perdue Chairman Jim Perdue. “It never ceases to amaze me how our associates respond to the needs of their community through their commitment to the United Way.”

About the United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore
The United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore ensures critical health and human services are provided in Worcester, Wicomico, Somerset and Dorchester counties and is one of more than 1,400 locally governed and operated United Ways across the country and worldwide. All individual donor dollars stay on the Shore.

The organization currently has a 28-member Board of Directors and a staff of seven covering the four-county region. Last year alone, more than $1 million in donations was directed to 53 programs provided by 24 local non-profit agencies. Outside of government, the United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore is the largest funder of local health and human services on the Lower Eastern Shore.

For more information visit the United Way website at www.unitedway4us.org or call the office at 410-742-5143.

About Perdue Farms
Perdue Farms is the parent company of Perdue Foods and Perdue Agribusiness, and represents the Perdue family ownership.  Since our beginning on Arthur Perdue’s farm in 1920, through expansion into agribusiness and the introduction of the Perdue brand of chicken and turkey under Frank Perdue, to our third-generation of family leadership with chairman Jim Perdue, we’ve remained a family-owned, family-operated business dedicated to making Perdue the most trusted name in food and agricultural products.  To learn more about Perdue, visit www.perdue.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.