As part of a company commitment to hunger relief, Perdue Farms teamed with the Delmarva Shorebirds — the Class A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles — and three Delmarva food banks for the annual season-long 2016 Perdue Strike Out Hunger Challenge on Delmarva to deliver more than 154,000 meals across Delmarva communities.

“At Perdue, we believe that no one should go hungry. We’re delighted that the Strike Out Hunger Challenge continues to provide a large platform to raise awareness about the problem of hunger on Delmarva and provide much-needed relief to those in need,” said Kim Nechay, executive director of the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation. “We’re proud of the collaboration we have with the Delmarva food banks, the Shorebirds and its fans, and the community at-large. The way in which everyone responded to the Strike Out Hunger Challenge again this year reflects the passion and commitment our community has for helping those in need.”

The 2016 Perdue Strike Out Hunger Challenge on Delmarva provided the forum to continue the awareness and community engagement that began with Perdue’s sponsorship of the 2011 South Atlantic League “Perdue Strike Out Hunger All-Star Game” promotions. Since then, the Shorebirds and food banks have embraced the Strike Out Hunger Challenge to generate nearly 700,000 meal equivalents for those in need on Delmarva.

“The Shorebirds are happily surprised by the amount of meals that were generated through the Strike Out Hunger campaign during the 2016 season to exceed last year’s campaign by 10 percent,” said Jimmy Sweet, assistant general manager of the Delmarva Shorebirds. “It is a true testament to the kind and passionate people on the Delmarva Peninsula and how they come together to help one another out when called upon. The Shorebirds look forward to continuing the partnership with Perdue on the Strike Out Hunger campaign until we are able to abolish hunger on the Shore.”

To drive this year’s Perdue Strike Out Hunger Challenge on Delmarva, Perdue Farms issued a $15,000 challenge grant funded by the Perdue Foundation — the charitable giving arm of the company — to benefit the Eastern Shore Branch of the Maryland Food Bank, the Food Bank of Delaware and the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore.

Each of the food banks were required to engage the Delmarva community to raise the equivalent of 10,000 meals in order to claim their equal share of the first $10,000 of the Foundation challenge grant. This included any combination of pounds of food collected, funds collected and donated, or volunteer hours throughout the duration of the Shorebirds’ season.

Additionally, Perdue also donated $10 for each time the Shorebirds’ pitchers struck out an opposing batter up to $5,000.

The Food Bank of Delaware generated more than 65,500 meal equivalents in support of the Strike Out Hunger Challenge this year.

“Strike Out Hunger is an exciting way to showcase our summer food needs,” said Chad Robinson, manager of the Milford brand of Food Bank of Delaware. “While hunger doesn’t go on vacation in the summer, many families have a need that needs to be met in the hot summer months. The partnership between the Delmarva area food banks, Perdue and the Delmarva Shorebirds is great. It is so exciting for us that America’s favorite pastime can be so supportive of our important work. Thank you to Perdue and the Delmarva Shorebirds!”

The Maryland Food Bank campaign produced more than 40,500 meals this year. As Jennifer Small, managing director of the Eastern Shore Branch of the Maryland Food Bank in Salisbury, explains, “Through collaborations such as these, the Maryland Food Bank can continue to educate our community on local needs, local programs and work collectively with individuals and organizations striving to strike out hunger on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, one meal at a time. We are very fortunate to have such long-standing community relationships and thank Perdue and the Shorebirds for their continued service and support.”

The Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore accumulated nearly 50,000 meals through volunteer hours and local food drives. “The funds and food received through the Strike Out Hunger Challenge help the food bank sustain all of our programs and serve the growing needs in the community,” said Charmin Horton, food bank branch manager. “We are so blessed to have such community-minded partners in the Strike Out Hunger Challenge, and appreciate the support of all those in the community who supported this year’s campaign.”

Source: Perdue Farms