WASHINGTON, Oct. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- PepsiCo, Feed The Children, Walmart and Central Union Mission today are providing two semi tractor-trailers full of food and essentials to help 800 Washington, D.C., families in need. More than 80 volunteers from the combined organizations are distributing the food and personal care items to families at the Central Union Mission Distribution Center in Washington, D.C.
Nearly one in three children living in Washington, D.C. (30.4 percent) is considered impoverished. The number of children living in poverty in Washington, D.C., (30,555) could fill all the seats in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives more than 57 times.
PepsiCo is a longtime partner of Feed The Children and is sponsoring the distribution. PepsiCo and Walmart are donating products to families at the event, including Quaker oatmeal and granola bars, Frito-Lay multipack sacks of chips and plantain chips, Tropicana orange juice, Propel water and fresh produce.
Feed The Children partner agency Central Union Mission has pre-identified families who will receive the boxes of food and personal care items, which are designed to help support a family of four for up to one week.
Central Union Mission Executive Director David Treadwell noted nonprofit and corporate partnerships such as this are invaluable to human service providers. "We work diligently throughout the year to help individuals and families in distress secure basic necessities such as food, clothing, furniture and personal care items," said Treadwell. "This partnership with Feed The Children, PepsiCo and Walmart will make a big impact on our ability to serve those in need."
The food and personal care items distribution is part of Feed The Children's Americans Feeding Americans Caravan, which has helped more than 415,000 families across the country since it began in 2009.
"We sincerely appreciate our partners PepsiCo and Walmart for making this distribution possible to support Washington, D.C. families adversely affected by the economy," said Tony Sellars, spokesperson for Feed The Children. "With their help, along with Central Union Mission, this distribution will provide relief for them at a crucial time."
Feed The Children
Since 1979, Feed The Children has consistently ranked as one of the largest international charities in the U.S., based on private, non-government support. Our mission is providing hope and resources for those without life's essentials. In FY 2011, Feed The Children distributed more than 104 million pounds of food and other essentials to children and their families in all 50 states and internationally. For more information, visit www.feedthechildren.org
About PepsiCo
PepsiCo is a global food and beverage leader with net revenues of more than $65 billion and a product portfolio that includes 22 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in annual retail sales. Our main businesses – Quaker, Tropicana, Gatorade, Frito-Lay and Pepsi-Cola – make hundreds of enjoyable foods and beverages that are loved throughout the world. PepsiCo's people are united by our unique commitment to sustainable growth by investing in a healthier future for people and our planet, which we believe also means a more successful future for PepsiCo. We call this commitment Performance with Purpose: PepsiCo's promise to provide a wide range of foods and beverages for local tastes; to find innovative ways to minimize our impact on the environment by conserving energy and water and reducing packaging volume; to provide a great workplace for our associates; and to respect, support and invest in the local communities where we operate. For more information, please visit www.pepsico.com.
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