HARTFORD, Conn., Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Eight hundred Hartford families in need will receive a week's supply of food and daily essentials today, thanks to a partnership between PepsiCo and Feed the Children. The event kicks off at 11 a.m. at XFINITY Theatre, 61 Savitt Way, Hartford, CT.
Today's distribution event is part of Feed the Children's Defeat Hunger Month, a national initiative to raise awareness and funds for this important cause. It's the sixth annual event PepsiCo and Feed the Children have hosted in the Hartford community, where nearly 35 percent of the population lives below the poverty line. Similar events will occur in other major U.S. cities throughout the remainder of the year.
"Feed the Children strives to provide hope and resources to those without life's essentials," said J.C. Watts, Jr., Feed the Children president and CEO. "We are honored to partner with PepsiCo, PriceRite and Community Renewal Team in the fight to end hunger in America."
The receiving families have been identified and preselected by Community Renewal Team, a Hartford nonprofit organization.
"We are so pleased to be able to work with Feed the Children and PepsiCo again to bring these important resources to the community," said Lena Rodriguez, Community Renewal Team president and CEO. "This also provides the opportunity to inform hundreds of families about other services that will help them reduce their bills and improve their lives."
Each qualifying recipient family will be given:
"We love the Hartford community and are grateful for the opportunity to not only donate, but also meet these families, volunteer and spend a day giving back," said Shaun Stack, key account manager, northeast region, PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division. "At Frito-Lay and PepsiCo, we believe in engaging our associates in community projects and initiatives that make a positive difference in places where we live and work."
About Feed the Children
Established in 1979, Feed the Children exists to end child hunger. It is one of the largest U.S.-based charities and serves those in need in the U.S. and in 10 countries around the world. It provides food, education, essentials and disaster relief. Domestically, it operates 5 distribution centers (located in Oklahoma, Indiana, California, Tennessee and Pennsylvania).
In fiscal year 2015, Feed the Children distributed 107 million pounds of food and essentials valued at $302 million to people in the U.S., and internationally, it sponsored nearly 24,500 children, addressing the root causes of poverty through child sponsorship and school sponsorship. It is accredited by GuideStar Exchange and the BBB Wise Giving Alliance as well as maintains a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator.
Visit www.feedthechildren.org for more information.
About PepsiCo
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $63 billion in net revenue in 2015, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker and Tropicana. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including 22 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.
At the heart of PepsiCo is Performance with Purpose – our goal to deliver top-tier financial performance while creating sustainable growth and shareholder value. In practice, Performance with Purpose means providing a wide range of foods and beverages from treats to healthy eats; finding innovative ways to minimize our impact on the environment and reduce our operating costs; providing a safe and inclusive workplace for our employees globally; and respecting, supporting and investing in the local communities where we operate. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com/.
About Community Renewal Team
Community Renewal Team provides services and support that help more than 110,000 people every year to move toward greater strength and self-sufficiency. As the community action agency for Greater Hartford and Middlesex County, CRT offers Energy Assistance and Weatherization, Head Start, Meals on Wheels, mental health and addiction services, and many other programs. crtct.org
SOURCE PepsiCo