America's Second Harvest News
The Prem Rawat Foundation (TPRF) Donates $40,000 to America's Second Harvest's Effort in Aiding Midwest Flood Victims
Grant to America's Second Harvest Brings Food and Water to Thousands of Displaced Families in Five States
CHICAGO, July 2 PRNewswire-USNewswire — America's Second Harvest - The Nation's Food Bank Network has received a $40,000 grant from The Prem Rawat Foundation (TPRF) to provide food and water to those stricken by recent flooding in the Midwest. America's Second Harvest, the largest charitable domestic hunger-relief organization in the United States, will use this grant to work closely with local food banks to bring food and water to those affected by floods, many of whom have been forced to evacuate their homes.
"We are extremely grateful for The Prem Rawat Foundation's interest in supporting our efforts to respond to the unprecedented flooding in the Midwest," said Vicki Escarra, President and CEO of America's Second Harvest.
"Thousands of homes, farms, businesses and jobs have been lost," says TPRF President Linda Pascotto. "Lives have been threatened and disrupted by this ongoing disaster."
While recent storms have caused extensive damage throughout several states of the Midwest region, Iowa remains one of the hardest hit with 83 of its 99 counties declared to be disaster areas. From 35,000 to 40,000 Iowa residents have fled their homes and farms as floodwaters overcome nearby levees. Supplies remain scarce, and many people are still in dire need of both fresh food and clean water. TPRF's grant will enable relief efforts throughout the region, helping to facilitate the transportation of goods to local food banks currently supporting displaced people.
For every dollar donated, America's Second Harvest provides 16 meals to Americans in need.
This announcement falls on the heels of a troubling nationwide local impact survey conducted by America's Second Harvest. The May 2008 survey of 180 food banks nationwide found that 99 percent of the food banks reported between a 15 percent and 20 percent increase in the number of people being served, compared to one year ago. 81 percent of the food banks reported that they are unable to meet the growing demand without having to dramatically reduce the amount of food given to each household. Food bank respondents cited food and fuel prices as a primary reason that individuals are turning to food banks for their meals. For information on how to help please visit: http://www.secondharvest.org/.
About America's Second Harvest
America's Second Harvest - The Nation's Food Bank Network is the largest charitable domestic hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through its network of more than 200 member food banks, America's Second Harvest annually provides assistance to more than 25 million people in need, including more than 9 million children and nearly 3 million seniors in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Each year, America's Second Harvest secures and distributes more than 2 billion pounds of donated food and grocery products to support feeding programs at approximately 50,000 local charitable agencies, including food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, after-school programs and Kids Cafes.
About The Prem Rawat Foundation
The Prem Rawat Foundation was created in 2001 by Prem Rawat, known also as Maharaji, and has a dual mission of bringing his message of peace to people around the world and providing essential humanitarian aid to those in need. TPRF partners with other humanitarian organizations to bring food, water and rapid disaster relief where it is most needed. To learn more about TPRF's humanitarian initiatives, Prem Rawat and his message of peace, please visit www.tprf.org.
SOURCE America's Second Harvest
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