American Teens Rally to Raise One Million Cans of Food in Response to Hunger Emergency
As Food banks and Pantries Fear the Worst American Teenagers Rally Together in a Nationwide Campaign to Fight Hunger
CHICAGO --- December 11, 2007 --- Food Banks across America are experiencing a food shortage emergency as the holidays approach and millions of Americans seek help feeding their families. American teens have responded to this call by joining together to collect and deliver one million cans of food by New Years for food banks across the country.
America's Second Harvest--The Nation's Food Network, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, is projecting an immediate food shortage of 15 million pounds - the equivalent of more than 400 truckloads or 11.7 million meals - by the end of the year. Do Something along with other youth organizations are joining together to raise as many cans of donated food as possible to help hungry Americans this holiday season.
The counter to one million will be featured on an application on Facebook called “Emergency Canned Food Drive”. Teens across America can access it, log how many cans they have donated, see how many friends have donated, and watch the total grow. In addition, a Facebook group called “Emergency Canned Food Drive” will allow kids to post ideas, photos, and news updates.
"We are experiencing a food shortage and hunger crisis in America like never before. As Americans across the country celebrate the holiday season, more than 35 million men, women, and children are worrying about their next meal," said Vicki Escarra, President and CEO of America's Second Harvest – The Nation’s Food Bank Network. "This response from teenagers is exactly what we need from Americans across the country - leadership, creativity and overwhelming generosity."
"Teens aren't future leaders - we can do something now. You'll see – this is a problem we can totally fix, like totally!," said Do Something spokesperson Nick Jensen (age 18).
Ways in which teens will collect and deliver food include hot chocolate stands, caroling for food, shoveling snow, hosting movie nights, collecting cans at grocery stores and school parking lots, and many other creative ways to reach the million cans goal.
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Contact:
Heather Lylis
Sunshine, Sachs & Associates
212-691-2800
Ross Fraser
America's Second Harvest
312.641.6422
