FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PEARL JAM LENDS A HAND TO FOOD LIFELINE
Portion of Proceeds from Pearl Jam’s Two Hometown Seattle Shows to Benefit
Food Lifeline, local hunger relief organization
SEATTLE, Wash. (September 24, 2009) – Food Lifeline announced today that Pearl Jam’s Vitalogy Foundation will donate $1.00 from every ticket sold to Pearl Jam’s two hometown concerts in Seattle to Food Lifeline. Joining Pearl Jam in this fundraising effort will be retail partner Target, who will match the donation dollar-for-dollar, bringing the total to more than $40,000. This earmarked donation will assist Food Lifeline in helping to fulfill the needs of more than 660,000 people the organization serves in Western Washington.
Food Lifeline will commit these fundraising dollars specifically to its innovative program, Produce for the People. Produce for the People allows Food Lifeline to collect fresh nutritious, but unmarketable produce, from local wholesalers to be distributed among food banks in local communities. The program currently collects and distributes more than 1.7 million pounds of food a year to about 15 food banks, providing an important source of nutrition to many families and individuals who may otherwise not have access to fresh produce.
“We are so excited about this donation from Pearl Jam and Target which will essentially help fund our entire Produce for the People Program for six months” says Food Lifeline President and CEO, Linda Nageotte. “During difficult economic times, when people are forced to stretch their dollars further, healthy produce is often the first item crossed off grocery lists because of its higher cost. Pearl Jam and Target are helping us ensure these hungry individuals get the fruits and vegetables they need to feed themselves and their families.”
Food Lifeline has seen an increase in the amount of people it serves each year in local communities visit www.foodlifeline.org to learn about how you can provide hope for these families in need. Every $1 donation helps provide 5 meals for hungry people.
About Food Lifeline
Food Lifeline is a local hunger relief organization, efficiently serving the Western Washington area by using 95% of revenue to directly feed hungry people. Last year the organization delivered more than 17 million meals to hungry people through its network of more than 300 neighborhood food banks, hot meal programs, shelters and other food providers. Food Lifeline is also a member of the national organization, Feeding America. For more information about Food Lifeline or to make a tax-deductible donation, log onto www.foodlifeline.org or call 206-545-6600.
More About Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam played two, sold-out shows Monday and Tuesday, September 21st and 22nd at Seattle’s Key Arena. These shows helped kick-off the band’s world tour in support of their latest album release, Backspacer, which hits stores on Sunday, September 20th. For more information on Pearl Jam, their upcoming tour and their charitable works, please visit www.pearljam.com.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Kristen Damazio
Food Lifeline
(206) 545-6600 x3613