Armstrong’s third annual Avenge Hunger Month will help to provide much needed resources to over 200 community feeding programs. During the month of September, Armstrong customers, employees and community partners donated 16,167 pounds of food and $17,646 in monetary donations, as well as raising additional awareness via email, social media and Armstrong running television commercials.
The 2020 drive for resources was different this year due to COVID-19. With many traditional events being cancelled and a focus on safe social distancing procedures, Armstrong’s primary event was the Avenge Hunger Virtual 5K Race that raised over $8,300 in entry fees and donations. Marc Moretti of Canfield, Ohio was the winner of the virtual 5K with a time of 23:39. Armstrong gave a $250 donation to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Mahoning County, Ohio in honor of Marc and his first-place finish.
Through the Avenge Hunger Month drive, Armstrong has collected nearly 100,000 pounds of food and $43,000 in monetary donations to share with community feeding programs over the past three years. Avenge Hunger Month also helps to increase awareness of Armstrong’s Breaking Bread initiative to stock local food pantries and soup kitchens for their busy Fall and Winter seasons.
While September, National Hunger Action Month, receives the most attention, Breaking Bread is a year-round initiative. Donations of food or money can be dropped off at any of the 15 local Armstrong offices to benefit those who are struggling with hunger and food insecurity in the communities served by Armstrong in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky and Maryland.
“COVID-19 has caused our community food pantries to experience a shortage of resources,” said Chip Rowan, Community Marketing Manager with Armstrong. “We appreciate the generosity of our customers, community partners and employees to help meet this need.”
Gail Holleran, Director for Packs of Plenty, an organization that provides food for students who may not have food over the weekends in Ritchie County, West Virginia, stated that “The food Packs of Plenty receives from Armstrong's Food drive is an incredible blessing, helping us to feed the children in the county for several weekends. Their enthusiastic support is fuel for us as we pack week after week to serve these kids. Armstrong’s support makes our job easier.”
The Breaking Bread initiative is celebrating 10 years of supporting community feeding programs in areas where Armstrong provides service. Armstrong’s Breaking Bread is a four-pronged approach to giving by providing food, money, time, and awareness. Most importantly, Armstrong raises awareness about the need for food in the community. Armstrong has donated thousands of branded commercials to promote this need in our communities, as well as via social media, email and the Armstrong Neighborhood Channel.