C&S Wholesale Grocers is extending its commitment to finding solutions for rural child hunger by partnering with Feeding America to launch the first ever Rural Child Hunger Capacity Building Institute. C&S has supported Feeding America, the largest domestic hunger-relief organization, for nearly 15 years and has centered its interest this year in the specialized area of rural child hunger. Currently a Mission Partner, C&S supports Feeding America’s child hunger-relief initiatives, donates food and funds to local food banks, engages its employees, and provides disaster relief items.
Feeding America will formulate programming and has selected 20 of the nonprofit’s network member food banks, who serve clients affected by rural child food insecurity, to participate. The team plans to develop a framework and tactical strategy to implement across Feeding America’s entire network of 200 food banks and more than 60,000 feeding programs.
“This Institute will bring together our members from across the country, who are working on the front lines of this issue,” said Ami McReynolds, senior vice president of network development for Feeding America. “Thanks to our longstanding partner C&S, we can better address this acute problem and will be equipped to reduce rural child hunger in the future.”
The Institute will launch at Feeding America network member Food Bank for the Heartland in Omaha, Nebraska from March 16 – 18, 2015.
Gina Goff, senior director of community involvement at C&S said, “There’s a lot of emphasis on kids from low-income families in cities, but this will put a spotlight on reaching kids in small towns, in the mountains, in villages, and in tucked-away communities who struggle with access to nutritious food. Families in rural communities have different needs and issues, and we’re proud to help them through this innovative institute.”
Food bank participants were chosen to ensure a diverse geographic representation and further ensure findings will be applicable to rural child hunger programming at any Feeding America member food banks.
The Feeding America network food banks selected to participate in the Rural Child Hunger Capacity Building Institute include: Alaska, Food Bank of Alaska; Arkansas, Arkansas Foodbank; California, Feeding America San Diego; Colorado, Care and Share, Inc.; Iowa, Food Bank of Iowa; Kentucky, God’s Pantry Food Bank; Louisiana, Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana; Maine, Good Shepherd Food Bank; Mississippi, Mississippi Food Network; Montana, Montana Food Bank Network; Nebraska, Food Bank for the Heartland; New Mexico, Roadrunner Food Bank; New York, Food Bank of Central New York; North Carolina, Food Bank of Central and Eastern; North Dakota, Great Plains Food Bank; Ohio, Freestore Foodbank; Oklahoma, Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma; Pennsylvania, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food; Texas, Brazos Valley Food Bank.
For more information about C&S Wholesale Grocers’ and Feeding America’s partnership and Rural Child Hunger Capacity Building Institute please visit: http://community.cswg.com/partnerships/feeding-america
About Feeding America
Feeding America is the nationwide network of 200 food banks that leads the fight against hunger in the United States. Together, we provide food to more than 46 million people through 60,000 food pantries and meal programs in communities across America. Feeding America also supports programs that improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Individuals, charities, businesses and government all have a role in ending hunger. Donate. Volunteer. Advocate. Educate. Together we can solve hunger. Visit https://www.feedingamerica.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
About C&S Wholesale Grocers
C&S Wholesale Grocers, Inc., based in Keene, NH, is the largest wholesale grocery supply company in the U.S. and the industry leader in supply chain innovation. Founded in 1918 as a supplier to independent grocery stores, C&S now services customers of all sizes, supplying more than 6,000 independent supermarkets, chain stores, military bases, and institutions with over 150,000 different products.
C&S community involvement programs support initiatives to fight hunger and to promote the health and enrichment of communities that are homes to the company’s employees and facilities. To learn more: http://community.cswg.com.