StarKist Co. has partnered with Feed the Children and Cornerstones to bring hunger relief to 400 families living along Northern Virginia’s Dulles Corridor.
The drive-thru event was held at St. John Neumann Catholic Community in Reston, Virginia. During the event, 400 families and seniors received a 25-pound box of shelf-stable food, including StarKist products; a 15-pound box of hygiene essentials such as shampoo, conditioner, lotion and personal-care items; a box of Avon products; Disney storybooks; and other items.
“StarKist recently moved its headquarters to Reston, Virginia, and welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the community. We are always grateful for our ongoing partnership with Feed the Children, and are equally excited to begin an alliance with Cornerstones, an extraordinary organization that has served as Northern Virginia’s leading safety-net and human services nonprofit for more than 50 years,” said Andrew Choe, StarKist president and CEO.
“There will be more empty plates this summer season than ever before, and it is estimated that one in four children will be food insecure. We believe that no child should go hungry in this country, and we are aware that the need is great.”
For the past 13 years, StarKist has contributed more than 650,000 pounds of tuna and chicken products to help food-insecure children and families across the U.S., and more than $800,000 to support Feed the Children’s disaster and emergency response efforts. This is the latest in StarKist’s efforts to alleviate hunger and food shortages, dating back to 1917, when there was a nationwide protein shortage during World War I.
“Thanks to our generous partners at StarKist, we are able to help these families rest a little easier knowing they don’t have to worry about where their next meal is coming from,” said Travis Arnold, Feed the Children president and CEO. “We know that when we combine our efforts, we have a greater impact on the lives of the families who need us most.”
Feed the Children, a leading nonprofit focused on alleviating childhood hunger, is holding its annual Summer Hunger campaign in order to bring awareness to the important issue of childhood hunger, as well as provide hope and relief to thousands of vulnerable families across the U.S. throughout the summer season.
“Cornerstones works purposefully with community partners and advocates who care deeply and give generously to support the well-being of everyone living and working along the Dulles Corridor,” said Kerrie Wilson, CEO of Cornerstones. “For lower-income neighbors, the pandemic’s lingering economic impacts – including the rising cost of groceries and gas – only exacerbates their daily fears of how to feed their families.
“Today’s food distribution made a tangible difference to 400 households, including seniors. We are proud to partner with StarKist and Feed the Children to help stabilize people living in crisis today. Their commitment to community engagement and volunteerism plays a role in helping Cornerstones ensure the economic and health stability, equity and resiliency of Northern Virginia.”
For more information, visit starkist.com.
