Funds will expand United Way’s Healthy Food Provision programs that fight food insecurity in O.C.
Irvine, CA, August 13, 2018 – Orange County United Way announced today it has been awarded a $173,600 grant from Wells Fargo to increase accessibility of healthy foods for low-income individuals and families in Orange County through its Healthy Food Provision programs.
The Healthy Food Provision programs advance hunger and community food security initiatives throughout the county. The Wells Fargo grant will support United Way’s partnership with Orange County Food Bank and Second Harvest Food Bank to provide healthy fruits and vegetables through various distribution channels, including school-based and mobile pantries.
This funding will allow United Way to increase the availability and accessibility of healthy food options for low-income individuals while supporting local hunger relief efforts and increasing awareness and education about the importance of healthy food consumption.
The grant, awarded over a two-year period, provides more than 40 percent of the annual funding needed to execute United Way’s Healthy Food Provision programs and serve hundreds of thousands in need. Wells Fargo’s local commitment is part of a larger $5 million investment to support hunger-fighting and healthy food access solutions nationwide.
“There is a critical need for increasing access to healthy food options as one in six Orange County children are at risk of going hungry each day,” said Susan B. Parks, President and CEO, Orange County United Way. “We are grateful for Wells Fargo’s support of our Healthy Food Provision program and for joining us in the fight to ensure all Orange County families have access to wholesome meals.”
United Way has committed to providing more than 1.6 million pounds of nutritious produce and food options and serving 688,000 individuals in need this year. Additional United Way Healthy Food Provision programs include a food recovery and distribution program that connects county agencies, grocers and restaurants with pantries and shelters to distribute surplus food that would otherwise have been thrown away.
“Fighting food insecurity and making sure all children have access to healthy meals is a top priority for Wells Fargo,” said Keith Kobata, Orange County Region President, Wells Fargo. “We’re proud to support Orange County United Way in providing direct support to low-income families in need of quality fresh foods.”
This is the second grant United Way has received from Wells Fargo this year, coming on the heels of a $100,000 gift supporting its United to End Homelessness initiative.
ABOUT ORANGE COUNTY UNITED WAY
Today’s Orange County United Way fights for the Education, Health, Housing and Financial Stability of every person in Orange County. We focus on long-term solutions to the most critical interconnected challenges facing local children and families. Through our 10-year collaborative, community-wide action plan, “FACE 2024” (an acronym for Fund, Advocate, Collaborate, Educate), by 2024 we will cut the high school dropout rate in half, increase the number of healthy youth by one-third, cut the percentage of homeless and housing-insecure children in half and reduce the percentage of financially unstable families by 25%. By mobilizing local businesses, community organizations, governmental agencies and individuals, we make a long-term measurable difference in our community. UNITED4OC, we change the lives of adults and children right here in Orange County and create a brighter future for every one of us. To learn more or to join our fight, visit www.unitedwayoc.org.
ABOUT WELLS FARGO
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.9 trillion in assets. Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through 8,050 locations, 13,000 ATMs, the internet (wellsfargo.com) and mobile banking, and has offices in 38 countries and territories to support customers who conduct business in the global economy. With approximately 265,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 26 on Fortune’s 2018 rankings of America’s largest corporations. News, insights and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories.
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Media Contact: Nicole Morrison, [email protected], (949) 200-6110
