Donation to support organization’s increased demand due to COVID-19 response

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 6, 2020– The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, the region’s largest charitable food distribution organization, today announced new monetary and product donations from The Hershey Company in partnership with Land O’Lakes and American Sugar Refining, Inc. (ASR). As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, these contributions help the food bank continue to distribute food to some of the most vulnerable populations, including children and seniors.

“We want to thank The Hershey Company, Land O’Lakes and ASR for their significant donations of funds and food,” said Joe Arthur, executive director of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank. “The $50,000 from Hershey will help us provide thousands of crisis response boxes, which will be supplemented by the donation of macaroni and cheese from Land O’Lakes. We are also grateful for ASR’s donation of Domino® Sugar from its Baltimore refinery. These gifts are inspiring examples of our business partners stepping up to help ensure that no one in central Pennsylvania goes hungry during this crisis. Support like this makes all the difference.”

The contributions from three leading food manufacturers highlight the value the companies place on the role of food banks play in supporting communities.  Additionally, by rallying around a shared cause in a specific community, the partners were able to amplify each other’s effort to create an impact of significantly larger scale.

The Hershey Company Commits $50,000

As a long-time supporter of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, The Hershey Company regularly provides both product and financial support to the organization. Throughout COVID-19 crisis, the company has committed more than $70,000 to the organization, with $50,000 given this past week.

“As a company, The Hershey Company has always supported our communities, both in good times and in bad – it is part of our legacy,” said Leigh Horner, Vice President, Corporate Communications and Global Sustainability. “We’re happy to contribute, alongside long-time partners Land O’Lakes and ASR, to the great work the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank does to provide for our friends and neighbors who are struggling.”

Land O’ Lakes Matches Hershey with Product Donation

To meet the food bank’s continued need for dairy products, Land O’Lakes today delivered 30,000 pounds worth of dairy-based products including, cheese and frozen macaroni and cheese, to the food pantry.

“Advocating for and supporting the places that produce and deliver the food for this country has always been an important priority for Land O’Lakes. Current circumstances have only reinforced how much more needs to be done,” says Morgan Kinross-Wright, VP of community relations and executive director of the Land O’Lakes Foundation. “Hershey has been a strong partner for us over the years, and we wanted to step up alongside them in one of our communities where our farmers and employees live.”

American Sugar Refining, Inc. (ASR) Donates 10,000 Pounds of Sugar

Baking and cooking at home together are comforting activities for families forced to quarantine at home. To help meet their needs, ASR joined Land O’Lakes today in its donation by providing 10,000 pounds of sugar to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank.

“We’re proud to join The Hershey Company and Land O’Lakes in supporting the tremendous work of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank,” said Tim Noud, Refinery Manager at ASR’s Baltimore refinery.

Collectively, these donations will help continue the food bank’s critical efforts to support local communities in the weeks ahead and provide assistance for those most impacted by COVID-19 in the area.

To learn more about the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank – or to make a donation – please visit: https://www.centralpafoodbank.org/.

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About The Hershey Company

The Hershey Company is headquartered in Hershey, Pa., and is an industry-leading snacks company known for bringing goodness to the world through its iconic brands, remarkable people and enduring commitment to help children succeed. Hershey has approximately 16,000 employees around the world who work every day to deliver delicious, quality products. The company has more than 80 brands around the world that drive $8 billion in annual revenues, including such iconic brand names as Hershey’s, Reese’s, Kit Kat, Jolly Rancher, Ice Breakers, SkinnyPop and Pirate’s Booty.

For more than 125 years, Hershey has been committed to operating fairly, ethically and sustainably. Hershey founder, Milton Hershey, created the Milton Hershey School in 1909 and since then the company has focused on helping children succeed.

To learn more visit www.thehersheycompany.com

About Land O’Lakes, Inc.  
Land O’Lakes, Inc., one of America’s premier agribusiness and food companies, is a member-owned cooperative with industry-leading operations that span the spectrum from agricultural production to consumer foods. With 2019 annual sales of $14 billion, Land O’Lakes is one of the nation’s largest cooperatives, ranking 212 on the Fortune 500. Building on a legacy of more than 99 years of operation, Land O’Lakes today operates some of the most respected brands and businesses in agriculture and food production including Land O’Lakes Dairy Foods, Purina Animal Nutrition, WinField United and Truterra, LLC. The company does business in all 50 states and more than 60 countries. Land O’Lakes, Inc. corporate headquarters are located in Arden Hills, Minn.

 About American Sugar Refining, Inc.

American Sugar Refining, Inc. is a subsidiary of ASR Group International, Inc. (ASR Group), the world’s largest refiner and marketer of cane sugar, with an annual production capacity of more than 6 million tons of sugar. The company produces a full line of grocery, industrial, food service and specialty sweetener products. Across North America, ASR Group owns and operates six sugar refineries, located in New York, California, Maryland, Louisiana, Canada and Mexico. In Europe, the company owns and operates sugar refineries in the United Kingdom, Portugal, and, with a joint venture partner, Italy. ASR Group also farms sugarcane and owns sugar mills in Mexico and Belize. The company’s portfolio includes the leading brands Domino®, C&H®, Florida Crystals®, Redpath®, Tate & Lyle®, Lyle’s® and Sidul®. ASR Group is owned by Florida-based sugar producers Florida Crystals Corporation and Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida. ASR Group and its parent companies jointly own Tellus Products, LLC, a maker of single-use, compostable tableware and food-service products from sugarcane fiber that are the only products of their kind grown and made in the USA. For more information, visit www.ASR-Group.com.

About Central Pennsylvania Food Bank

The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to reduce hunger in 27 counties across Pennsylvania. By working with more than 1,000 local agencies and partner programs, the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank serves thousands of people in need every month. For more information on the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and its mission to reduce hunger in Pennsylvania, visit centralpafoodbank.org or call 717-564-1700.