Have you ever wondered what Mickey Mouse does on his down time? He gives back to families who need a little help putting fresh food on the table. The Walt Disney Company announced a contribution of $1 million to Feeding America to support efforts to rescue and distribute more produce to children and families who need it most. The funds will be distributed to more than 30 Feeding America network member food banks throughout the U.S. to improve access to nutritious foods, including produce. In addition, the donation will help food banks to host volunteer food packing events with Disney (employee) VoluntEARS in select local markets.
“We know the people we serve are making difficult tradeoffs to survive and that produce is one of the most requested items at our food banks,” said Blake Thompson, chief supply chain officer at Feeding America. “We are committed to expanding our fresh produce offerings to food banks, and Disney is helping us nourish and strengthen the families we serve.”
Feeding America is the nation’s largest hunger-relief and food rescue organization with a network of 200 member food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs. The organization’s goal is to provide meals for people in need, but also to provide nutritious meals that can help improve health and well-being. Fresh produce provides a tremendous opportunity to both feed people facing hunger and also offer nutrient-rich foods that can improve health outcomes.
Disney has worked with Feeding America to support efforts to end hunger in the U.S. since 2012. Funding from this year’s gift will be used by food banks to provide fresh produce to kids and families facing hunger by removing barriers to source and distribute produce, including building capacity by increasing refrigeration and equipment at food banks to help store and distribute fresh produce within the community
