FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Nov. 15, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Eight hundred Fort Lauderdale families in need will receive enough food to supplement meals for a week plus daily essentials, thanks to a partnership between PepsiCo and Feed the Children. The event kicks off at 11 a.m. at Joseph C. Carter Park 1450 West Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.
Today's distribution event is part of a larger initiative between the two organizations to help feed communities in cities throughout the United States and is the third annual event PepsiCo and Feed the Children have hosted in the Fort Lauderdale community, where more than 20 percent of the population lives below the poverty line. As the holiday season approaches, this event will allow families to reallocate their limited resources.
The receiving families have been identified and preselected by Joshua's Heart, a local nonprofit organization.
"We believe no child should go to bed hungry in a land where there is plenty of food," said Travis Arnold, Feed the Children Interim CEO/President and COO. "But the reality is, millions of boys and girls, right here in our own backyard, face this hardship every day. Thanks to our generous partners, PepsiCo, and Joshua's Heart, today we are able to help these families rest a little easier knowing they do not have to worry about where their next meal is coming from."
Each qualifying recipient family will be given:
"We love the Fort Lauderdale community and are grateful for the opportunity to not only donate, but also meet these families, volunteer and spend a day giving back," said Carlos Canizares, zone sales director, Palm Beach zone, PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division. "We are passionate about being involved with our community and taking 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, the BBB Wise Giving Alliance and is rated by 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/.
SOURCE PepsiCo