Tyson Foods announced a $242,069 donation to the Kansas Food Bank to fund improvements to the food bank’s warehouse, an updated online ordering system and the purchase of a tractor and trailer. The company also donated a truckload of protein to the food bank totaling 32,340 pounds.

“We are very thankful to Tyson Foods for funding our capital improvement projects,” said Brian Walker, president and CEO of Kansas Food Bank. “We believe every meal matters, and are always looking for ways to stretch our dollars and improve our operation to bring more food to the table for those in need; Tyson Foods has helped us do just that.”

The improvements include additional warehouse equipment, lighting upgrades and new distribution vehicles, which will increase efficiency and effectiveness of operations and allow the Kansas Food Bank to better serve food insecure Kansans.  

“Efficiency gains in our operation impact our ability to fulfill our mission of feeding the hungry across our 85-county service area,” said Walker.

The Kansas Food Bank provides food for over 700 hunger relief partners across 85 counties in Kansas. In 2017, 14.7 million pounds of food were distributed across the state, equivalent to just over 12 million meals.

“The Kansas Food Bank has a vast area to serve and we hope this investment will help them reach their neighbors in need in every corner of the state,” said Debra Vernon, senior director of corporate social responsibility at Tyson Foods. “Our hope is that with these donations, not only will a greater number of clients be served, but the food bank will be able to do so in a much more efficient manner.”

Tyson Foods has six facilities in Kansas and employs more than 5,000 in the state. The company also purchases cattle, pigs, grain, diesel and other utilities in Kansas and estimates its annual statewide economic impact at more than $2.47 billion.

Source: Tyson Foods