Tyson Foods Helps Fight Hunger in L.A.

Tyson Foods Inc. donated 20,000 pounds of chicken to the Veterans' Holiday Celebration (VHC) and Los Angeles Regional Food Bank last week as part of an effort to feed people in need and show its commitment for hiring military veterans, reservists and their family members.

The donation was made in conjunction with the 19th annual VHC celebration. Approximately 4,000 veterans were fed at the event on Dec. 4 at the West Los Angeles Veterans Administration (VA) campus. The remaining donation has been allocated to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. All told, the donation is the equivalent of 80,000 meals.

On the first Sunday of every December, the VA of Greater Los Angeles, VA Voluntary Service, restaurants, local businesses and more than 700 volunteers hold a Veterans' Holiday Celebration event with the objective of providing a memorable meal, gifts and entertainment, and appreciation.

Earlier this year, Tyson launched the "Know Hunger" campaign to raise hunger awareness. As part of the campaign, the company released the results of a survey that found that one in four Americans is worried about having enough money to put food on the table in the next year. Another key finding is that many Americans are unaware of how serious hunger is in their own communities.

Tyson Foods has fought hunger in the U.S. for a decade, donating more than 82 million pounds of protein, or the equivalent of 328 million meals. The company partners with Feeding America, Food Research and Action Center, Share Our Strength, Lift Up America and the League of United Latin American Citizens to raise awareness and help feed the hungry across the nation.

In addition, Tyson employs about 3,000 military veterans and is part of the American Logistics Association, which recently committed, on behalf of its members, to hiring 25,000 veterans and their family members during the next two years. Through brokers, Tyson also employs more than 500 military family members and veterans who help stock Tyson products at military commissaries. The company regularly makes a concerted effort to hire junior military officers who have received training from an outside agency on how to transition from the military to the business world.