Fresno State Athletics
Bulldogs Help Fight Valley Hunger
10/20/2008 12:00:00 AM | General
Oct. 20, 2008
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State student-athletes and coaches helped distribute food to 120 different agencies throughout the Fresno area. Fresno State athletics partnered with Department of Management students, Lift Up America, The Community Food Bank, and Tyson chicken to help fight Valley hunger.
"I think it is a great opportunity for our student-athletes to actively participate and help distribute food," said equestrian coach Becky Malmo. "It is a great example of how big the hearts are at Fresno State."
The food was collected at the homecoming football game and combined with 30,000 pounds of chicken donated by Tyson. The event started with a short press conference at noon. Representatives from Fresno State, the Community Food Bank, and Tyson thanked all those that participated in a successful food drive.
Fresno State athletes and coaches handed out over 15 tons of food. Volunteers worked from noon until 3 p.m.
Members of the equestrian team, baseball team, cheer squad, Lacrosse team, women's golf team, football team, and Management students were on hand to help the Community Food Bank distribute food in the blue lot outside the south entrance to Bulldog Stadium.
"It is great for us to get out here and see there is more than just our sports," said football player Moses Harris. "There are people that are hungry and we are just doing our part to help."
A line of cars and trucks passed through as student-athletes loaded them up with boxes of chicken, fruits, vegetables, and other foods.
Founded in 1992, Community Food Bank is the only community-based agency in Fresno dedicated solely to ending hunger in the Central Valley. Community Food Bank coordinates a network of over 200 agencies - food pantries, residential shelters, faith-based entities, community kitchens, adult and child day care centers - located throughout Fresno, Madera, and Kings Counties, which provide food and meals to children, families and the elderly.
Since 2000, Tyson Foods has been a leader in the fight against hunger. The company is actively engaged in food donation events and fundraising activities year-round to benefit those in need. The protein given by Tyson today will provide more than 120,000 meals and brings the company's total in-kind donations since 2000 to more than 52 million pounds. This milestone equates to over 202 million meals donated to food banks and agencies serving local communities around the country. Last year alone, Tyson donated nearly 9 million pounds of protein to Feeding America (formerly known as America's Second Harvest).
Community Food Bank is the only community-based agency in Fresno dedicated solely to ending hunger in the Central Valley. The food bank coordinates a network of over 200 agencies - food pantries, residential shelters, faith-based entities, community kitchens, adult and child day care centers - located throughout Fresno, Madera, and Kings Counties, which provide food and meals to children, families and the elderly. Community Food Bank is involved in the solicitation, acquisition, warehousing and distribution of the food these agencies acquire and serve to those in need. The food bank is also actively engaged in programs that help address the long-term needs of hungry individuals and advocate for public policy that positively addresses hunger and poverty issues. For information about Community Food Bank, visit www.communityfoodbank.net.
Lift Up America, founded in 2004, is a collaborative effort of companies including Tyson, Ty and Give the Gift of Sight (a Luxottica Group Foundation), working with professional and college sports teams and local nonprofit agencies to provide the gifts of food, sight, hearing, hope and comfort to our nation's less fortunate. In 2006 Lift Up America added such major corporations as Starkey Hearing Foundation, Interstate Batteries and Cinemark Theaters to implement the "Giving Hope Tour," adding the gift of entertainment to those we serve. Lift Up America, through our sponsors, provided more than $25 million in hearing aids, helped approximately 26,000 people in need of prescription eyeglasses, delivered 10 million meals and over 40 million dollars in scholarships to the less fortunate across America. For more information about Lift Up America, please visit www.LiftUpAmerica.org.
Tyson Foods, Inc. [NYSE: TSN], founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Ark., is the world's largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef, and pork, the second-largest food production company in the Fortune 500 and a member of the S&P 500. The company produces a wide variety of protein-based and prepared food products and is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves. Tyson provides products and service to customers throughout the United States and more than 80 countries. The company has approximately 104,000 Team Members employed at more than 300 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team Members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it. Visit www.tyson.com for more details.
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The `Dogs travel to Hawai'i in WAC play on Sunday, October 26 for a 3 p.m. match. The `Dogs return home on Saturday, November 1 as they welcome Louisiana Tech to the Save Mart Center at 7 p.m. It's Local Business Night and all business members receive $2 admission when presenting their business card at the box office. Tickets are on sale now through the Save Mart Center Box Office, by calling (559) 485-TIXS or online at ticketmaster.com.
