SPRINGDALE, Ark., Dec. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A longtime partner in
providing disaster relief, Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN) contributed more than
$1.5 million in food products and financial assistance to the disaster relief
efforts during this year's unprecedented hurricane season. This amount
exceeds the company's original goal of $1 million.
The company today presented checks totaling more than $455,000 to local
representatives of the American Red Cross and Salvation Army. The money is
from contributions by Tyson Team Members that were matched dollar for dollar
by the company. Tyson also donated more than $1.1 million worth of food,
water, ice and other supplies in the aftermath of the hurricanes, including
food donations to relief sites operated by the Red Cross, Salvation Army,
Southern Baptist Disaster Relief teams and Global Impact.
"I'm proud of the tremendous outpouring of support by our Team Members and
our company as we joined others across the country in the relief effort," said
John Tyson, chairman and CEO of Tyson Foods. "I'm also thankful for
organizations like the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army and their
ability to help meet the needs of those whose lives have been changed by these
storms."
"We are extremely grateful to Tyson Foods and their team members for their
tremendous support of Red Cross disaster relief efforts," said Lee Siler,
Executive Director of the Northwest Arkansas Chapter. "By partnering with
generous corporate supporters like Tyson Foods and relief organizations such
as the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Association, the Red Cross has been
able to serve 54 million meals and snacks and provide immediate assistance to
1.6 million families devastated by this year's hurricanes. We simply could
not fulfill our life-saving mission without these important partners."
"The Salvation Army is blessed to have a supporter such as, Tyson Foods,
to help us provide assistance to our local residents as well as those victims
of disasters in other states," stated Major Wesley Short, Area Commander of
The Salvation Army, Northwest Arkansas. "Many thanks to John Tyson and all
the employees that made this donation possible."
The Salvation Army's new branding theme, "Doing The Most Good", is put
into practice every day, as it helps individuals and families, not only in
national disasters, but also in local emergency situations, Major Short said.
The Salvation Army responded immediately following Hurricanes Katrina, Rita,
and Wilma, serving the immediate needs of survivors by providing shelter,
food, water, ice, cleaning supplies, baby items and hygiene products. More
than one million have been served in at least 30 states.
Tyson operations in Mississippi were directly affected by Hurricane
Katrina. Four Tyson poultry processing plants were temporarily idled because
of the loss of power and some contract poultry operations also experienced
power outages, bird loss and damage to buildings. The company provided
truckloads of food, water and ice to the affected plant communities and had
cooking teams at some locations. The impact of Hurricane Rita on the
company's Texas operations was minor; however the company did send truckloads
of food and water to affected Tyson plant communities.
About Tyson Foods, Inc.
Tyson Foods, Inc., founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale,
Arkansas, is the world's largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef and
pork and the second-largest food company in the Fortune 500. The company
produces a wide variety of protein-based and prepared food products, which are
marketed under the "Powered by Tyson(TM)" strategy. Tyson is the recognized
market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves, providing
products and service to customers throughout the United States and more than
80 countries. Tyson has approximately 114,000 Team Members employed at more
than 300 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world.
About The American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is where people mobilize to help their neighbors --
across the street, across the country and across the world -- in emergencies.
Each year, in communities large and small, victims of some 70,000 disasters
turn to neighbors familiar and new -- the nearly 1 million volunteers and
35,000 employees of the Red Cross. Through almost 900 locally supported
chapters, more than 15 million people gain the skills they need to prepare for
and respond to emergencies in their homes, communities and world. Some
4 million people give blood -- the gift of life -- through the Red Cross,
making it the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United
States. The Red Cross helps thousands of U.S. service members separated from
their families by military duty stay connected. As part of the International
Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, a global network of 181 national
societies, the Red Cross helps restore hope and dignity to the world's most
vulnerable people. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross
spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is
not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to
do its work. Marsha J. Evans is the President and CEO of the American Red
Cross.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church,
has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination since
1865. Nearly 34 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army
each year through the broadest array of social services that range from
providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the
disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the
homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. About 92 cents of
every dollar raised is used to support those services in nearly 5,000
communities nationwide.
SOURCE Tyson Foods, Inc.
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.tyson.com
CONTACT:
Jody Dilday of The American Red Cross,
+1-479-442-4291; or Barbara Whitlow of The Salvation Army,
+1-479-521-2151 ext. 29; or Gary Mickelson of Tyson Foods, Inc.,
+1-479-290-6111
|
