Food-For-Needy Drive by Reynolds And Employees

Source from:  Tobacco Reporter 08/10/2009

Reynolds American Inc (RAI) and employees of RAI and its R.J. Reynolds Tobacco subsidiary have donated the equivalent of 180,000 pounds of food to Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina in order to help needy families. This was the largest food drive ever held by one company or organization in the history of the local food bank. RAI and R.J. Reynolds employees collected more than 31,000 pounds of food in six days, which was supplemented by a $10,000 cash donation from RAI, a $6,000 'challenge' donation from R.J. Reynolds ($1,000 for every 5,000 pounds of food donated by employees) and cash contributions from employees. The employee food drive, which was held as part of RAI's 2009 United Way campaign activities, was designed to meet an all-time high demand for food among people in need, and to raise awareness of the services provided by Second Harvest Food Bank and other local United Way agencies. "Difficult economic conditions have created a shortfall between the resources needed in our community and the resources available," said Susan M. Ivey, chairman, president and CEO of RAI. "Our employees wanted to help bridge the gap created by a demand for food that is far exceeding the supply of donated food this year. "We're proud of how quickly our employees stepped up to help fill empty shelves at the food bank and feed the hungry." Meanwhile, Clyde Fitzgerald, the executive director of the food bank, said he was grateful for such generous support. "Reynolds American and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company employees have long taken a leadership role in addressing critical community needs," he said. "Although food donations have increased over one million pounds in the past year, the sustained 76 per cent increase in demand has totally outstripped supply. "Today, 250,000 people in our 18-county service area, including more than 80,000 children, cannot say for sure where their next meal is coming from. "The Reynolds donation will help ensure that children and their parents who have run out of food due to grave financial circumstances will be fed." Enditem