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Houston Football Combines Scrimmage and Community Service for Busy Saturday
March 26, 2011
The University of Houston football team had its first scrimmage of the season on Saturday at Robertson Stadium, completing 90 plays in just 90 minutes. Following the scrimmage, the team helped distribute 27,000 pounds of chicken for over 25 agencies in the Houston area.
SCRIMMAGE HIGHLIGHTS
LIFT UP AMERICA "There are millions of hard-working adults, children and seniors who simply cannot make ends meet and are faced with the realities of hunger and malnourishment," said John Tyson, chairman of Tyson Foods. "We are trying to make a difference in their lives by providing nutrient-rich protein and by increasing understanding of hunger in our country." Meat and poultry are nutrient dense foods and, according to health experts, can be especially helpful to people who need more protein including growing children, pregnant women, the elderly, and anyone undergoing severe stress disease or disability. According to food banks nationwide, meat is the most requested and least available food. "Donations of poultry and other high-protein foods are especially valuable because they allow us to provide healthier, more nutritious options to local families in need through our partner agencies," said Brian Greene, president and CEO of Houston Food Bank. "Every year, our agencies are seeing an increase in need. This significant donation will help feed our many hungry neighbors." The Houston Food Bank distributes more than 65 million pounds of food annually throughout its 18 county service area. Approximately 865,000 residents, including children and seniors, receive emergency food assistance each year from the Food Bank and its nearly 500 member agencies. "We are thrilled to join forces with with Lift Up America, Tyson Foods and the Houston Food Bank on this terrific event," said Mack Rhoades, Director of Athletics at the University of Houston. "At a time when so many families in our community are in need, The University of Houston Cougars is honored to partner with these outstanding organizations to help those in need in the Houston area." Tyson Foods has been an active participant in the fight against hunger for a decade, donating more than 78 million pounds of protein, or the equivalent of 300 million meals. The company partners with Share Our Strength, Lift Up America, Feeding America, the League of United Latin American Citizens to raise awareness and help feed the hungry across the nation. "In this critical time of need for so many hungry families, it is encouraging to see these caring organizations come together to lift the human spirit of others," said Eric Hannah, president of Lift Up America. Tyson Foods' year-long "KNOW Hunger" campaign is focused on helping more people understand and join the effort to eliminate hunger in America. It includes the recent release of a study on public perceptions of hunger, as well as a commitment to donate one million pounds of protein to food banks in 23 U.S. markets during the month of March. Tyson and the Food and Research Action Center (FRAC) recently commissioned a study on public perceptions of hunger. Among other things, it found that most surveyed believe hunger is a much smaller problem in their own community than it is in the state or the nation overall. Yet, 24 percent of those surveyed worry they will have trouble putting food on the table this year. Survey details are available by clicking on www.tysonhungerrelief.com. To hear the testimony of three prominent Americans who experienced hunger as children, go to www.tysonfoods.com/Media-Room.aspx and click on "three perspectives." Information about how to get involved in the fight against hunger is available at www.tysonhungerrelief.com.
About the Houston Food Bank
About Lift Up America
About Tyson Foods
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