Caterpiller Foundation grant provides meals for more than 12,500 locals

Published 8:00 pm Wednesday, May 1, 2019

In April, Feeding The Valley Food Bank announced a $30,443 grant from the Caterpillar Foundation to provide food to more than 12,500 people who face hunger in Troup County.

A member of the Feeding America network, Feeding The Valley is one of 30 food banks selected to receive this grant, which helps support local hunger relief efforts.

“People who face hunger do not have regular access to enough food for a healthy, active life. Feeding The Valley is thankful to the Caterpillar Foundation for its commitment to helping to support families in need in our community,” said Frank Sheppard, President and CEO of Feeding The Valley.

More than 12,000 people in the Troup County area face hunger, including 5,000 children, according to a press release from Feeding The Valley. The funds donated by the Caterpillar Foundation will be used to support the backpack program in Troup County schools that provide food to children on the weekend. 

“The Caterpillar Foundation supports programs that alleviate poverty in communities in which we live and work. We are proud to partner with Feeding The Valley Food Bank to support individuals In Troup County who may not know where their next meal will come from,” said Kathryn Karol, Caterpillar vice president and chairman of the Caterpillar Foundation Board of Directors. “When people’s basic human needs are met, they are able to more effectively pursue economic and educational opportunities. And when they can do so, an entire community can benefit.”

Since 2015, Caterpillar Foundation has provided $3.9 million in county-level grants to Feeding America food banks. 

Caterpillar Foundation’s grants also helped food banks provide 10.5 million pounds of food in counties where Caterpillar employees live and work. This donation will help provide 60,060 meals to local children and families in need. 

Working with more than 275 partner agencies, Feeding the Valley serves counties in Georgia and Alabama and distributed more than 9.1 million pounds of food in the last 12 months. 

For more information, visit Feedingthevalley.org.