In response to this week's storms that severely impacted Springdale in
Northwest Arkansas
,
Tyson Foods
is donating more than 250,000 pounds of protein to support its hometown, which will provide at least one million meals to storm victims, volunteers, first responders and affected
Tyson
team members.
Tyson
team members impacted by the storms are also encouraged to apply to the company's
Helping Hands
program that offers financial assistance to employees following a disaster or personal hardship.
'We're deeply saddened by the damage here in our hometown of Springdale and want to do our part to help the people affected,' said
John R. Tyson
, Executive Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer,
Tyson Foods
. 'We're working with our local community partners to amplify their support and do our best to help those in need.'
The Jones Center in
Springdale
and volunteers from nearby Treehouse Pantry, a
Tyson
Foods Community Pantry Program partner and managed by the
Springdale School District
, began distributing donated food products and hot meals shortly after storms passed.
'
Tyson Foods
has been a longtime supporter of the district and we appreciate its efforts to meet the needs of our students and families who have been impacted by this storm,' said Dr.
Jared Cleveland
, Superintendent of
Springdale Schools
. '
Tyson
helped establish the Treehouse Pantry as a resource for our district and through the company's volunteer efforts and protein donations, the pantry is also serving as a key part of our disaster response.'
A photo of a
Tyson
truck and bags of food.
Tyson
team members are leading a product drive to donate school supplies and non-perishable food to local families in the
Springdale School District
who have been displaced by the storms. The company is also collaborating with other non-profit organizations including Feed The 479, Hope Distributors, the
Northwest Arkansas Food Bank
and the
Springdale Church of God
to distribute protein to the community.
Tyson
volunteers will also assist with clean-up efforts in
Springdale
.
Tyson
team members often respond when disaster strikes in or near their communities. In 2012, as part of
Tyson Foods'
Meals that Matter disaster relief program, the company outfitted a 53-foot semi-trailer with enough refrigerated space to store up to 20,000 pounds of product for initial response, and dry storage to transport supplies to set up a feeding site and support for
Tyson
cook teams. The Meals that Matter trailer can distribute more than 100,000 meals per day to victims of disaster, first responders, volunteers and
Tyson
team members.
Tyson Foods'
Meals that Matter disaster relief program responded in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, major tornadoes in
Arkansas
,
Iowa
,
Missouri
and
Oklahoma
, hurricanes in
Florida
,
Louisiana
,
North Carolina
and
Texas
and numerous natural disasters like wildfires and flooding in communities across the
U.S.
About
Tyson Foods, Inc.
Tyson Foods, Inc.
(NYSE: TSN) is one of the world's largest food companies and a recognized leader in protein. Founded in 1935 by
John W. Tyson
and grown under four generations of family leadership, the Company has a broad portfolio of products and brands like
Tyson
,
Jimmy Dean
,
Hillshire Farm
, Ball Park, Wright, Aidells, ibp and State Fair.
Tyson Foods
innovates continually to make protein more sustainable, tailor food for everywhere it's available and raise the world's expectations for how much good food can do. Headquartered in
Springdale, Arkansas
, the Company had approximately 137,000 team members on
October 2, 2021
. Through its Core Values,
Tyson Foods
strives to operate with integrity, create value for its shareholders, customers, communities and team members and serve as a steward of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it. Visit www.tysonfoods.com.
Media Contact:
Derek.Burleson@tyson.com
479-290-6466