Posted on December 1, 2009

Bank of America Charitable Foundation Awards $1 Million to Feeding America

Feeding America has announced a $1 million gift from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation to support the organization's efforts to connect low-income Americans with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as the food stamp program.

The gift will be used to improve access to Feeding America foodbanks and provide pre-screening and application assistance for low-income clients seeking food assistance who are eligible for SNAP but not participating in the program. The announcement comes on the heels of a report from the United States Department of Agriculture which found that in 2007 only 66 percent of people who were eligible for SNAP received benefits. State-by-state participation rates varied from 42 percent to 100 percent.

In the past year, BoA has provided $3.5 million to Feeding America and its member foodbanks, while some 1,200 BoA associates donated nearly 3,700 hours to the Feeding America network.

"Ensuring vulnerable populations have access to basic services is a critical component to revitalizing our nation's economy," said Bank of America Charitable Foundation president Kerry Sullivan. "As an increasing number of families across our country are affected by events beyond their control, we are proud to support Feeding America in [its] efforts to reduce hunger and ensure low-income families have access to this important anti-hunger support system."