"Idol Gives Back" Grant Received By The Foodbank

Several Donations Gratefully Accepted During Challenging Times

Dayton, April 22, 2008 - The Foodbank announced today that it has received $14,500 to combat child hunger throughout Montgomery, Greene and Preble Counties. The grant, a result of the 2007 “Idol Gives Back” campaign, was received from America’s Second Harvest – The Nation’s Foodbank Network.

“We are extremely grateful for this support of our work feeding hungry children,” said Burma Rai, CEO of The Foodbank, Inc. “The Foodbank helps provide food to more than 24,000 children living at risk of hunger throughout our three county service area. This grant will help us to continue to ensure that kids don’t go to bed hungry.”

In addition, The Foodbank also received a grant for $7,500 from the P&G Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, also to address childhood hunger, and a $2,000 donation from The Greene.

This funding has arrived at a time when The Foodbank is struggling to meet the needs of the community due to an increase in demand, a decrease in food and financial contributions, and a significant increase in the cost of food.

“This boost in funding will most definitely help,” stated Rai, “as we are projecting that we will continue to seen unprecedented increase in need throughout the remainder of the year.” The Foodbank realized a 35% increase in clients during the third quarter as compared to the same quarter last year. To meet this increase in need, The Foodbank distributed 719,143 pounds of food in the third quarter, an increase of 28% over the third quarter one year ago.