Sodexo, Hirai Farms, Annies Fun, Gonzaga and McCain Foods Partner to Provide Food for Holiday Meals

SPOKANE, Wash., Nov. 20, 2009 — As the economy challenges more households who are struggling to put food on the table, Hirai Farms, Annies Fun, Sodexo, Gonzaga University and McCain Foods teamed up on November 16th to help Second Harvest provide food for holiday meals.

At a special event on Monday, November 16th at the McCarthey Athletic Center parking lot at Gonzaga University, Sodexo, Hirai Farms, Annies Fun, Gonzaga and McCain Foods partnered to make a substantial donation to Second Harvest.

Specifically, Hirai Farms, Annies Fun and McCain Foods donated two semi-truckloads of fresh potatoes, which will be included in the holiday meals collected by Second Harvest and distributed to people in need in Spokane in time for Thanksgiving. The Sodexo Foundation presented a check for $2,500 and donated approximately 6,600 pounds of various food items to Second Harvest collected from Gonzaga University students, staff, faculty, and Sodexo employees to help meet the increased need for food during the winter months.

Over thirty people attended the November 16th donation presentation, including Jason Clark (Executive Director of Second Harvest), Dr. Thayne McCulloh (President of Gonzaga University), Sen. Chris Marr (D-Spokane), Rep. Timm Ormsby (D-Spokane), Rep. Shelly Short (R-Republic/Colville), Erin Vincent (Eastern Washington Director for US Senator Patty Murray), Blaine Hirai (CEO of Hirai Farms and Chair of Annies Fun), Kerwin Higashi (Sodexo), Pam Smith (Sodexo), Ray Cooper (McCain Foods) and Nelsen Bean (McCain Foods).

We are very grateful for Sodexo, Hirai Farms, Annies Fun, Gonzaga and McCain Foods generous donations that will be a part of thousands of Thanksgiving meals for local families in need, Jason Clark said. These donations mean so much at a time when we have seen a dramatic increase in those seeking assistance.

Given the huge demands that have been put on food banks during these uncertain economic times, Hirai Farms and Annies Fun are very excited to work with Sodexo and McCain Foods to make these important donations to Second Harvest to help those in need during the holiday season, said Blaine Hirai.

Through its STOP Hunger initiative, Sodexo has a long history of helping people who face hunger, explained Kerwin Higashi, Senior Vice President of Sodexos NW Metropolitan Business Group. Sodexo is happy to have an opportunity to team up with partners (i.e., Second Harvest, Annies Fun, Gonzaga, Hirai Farms and McCain Foods) to help make these significant donations to Second Harvest during the critical late fall and winter period.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Sodexo
• Hirai Farms
• McCain Foods
• Gonzaga University
• Second Harvest
• Annie's Fun
• Feeding the Hungry
• Feeding Those in Need
• Stop Hunger
• Blaine Hirai
• Kerwin Higashi
• Tom's Turkey Drive
• KREM