Bank of America donates $10,000 to FOOD Share

On April 29, nearly 60 associates from Bank of America in Ventura County volunteered on and offsite to participate in a thank you campaign, making 750 telephone calls to FOOD Share donors, scribing thank you letters to 150 partner agencies and 31 brown bag agencies, and processing thousands of pounds of rescued food for those in need.

Bank of America also donated $10,000 to FOOD Share, which currently serves more than 41,000 people each month, to help address Ventura County’s growing need for emergency food. With every $1 donated, FOOD Share can bulk purchase food equal to just over $7.

Bank of America’s initial $10,000 donation will be matched with $10,000 from Bank of America Charitable Foundation through Feeding America. In addition, the Feinstein Foundation will issue a proportional grant to the nonprofit for a total deposit of more than $20,000.

“Bank of America remains focused on providing relevant, meaningful support to help individuals and families navigate difficult times,” said David Prichard, Market President, Bank of America. “Ensuring vulnerable populations in our community have access to basic services is a critical component to revitalizing the economy. We are proud to support FOOD Share in Ventura County, both financially and through our associates, at a time when nonprofits are struggling to provide significantly increased services to families who are having enormous difficulty making ends meet.”

“We were thrilled to welcome so many guest volunteers from Bank of America,” said Bonnie Weigel, CEO of FOOD Share. “Through the spirit of their volunteerism each individual has made a difference in the life of another. We are very appreciative of Bank of America’s support on both local and national levels. Bank of America’s $10,000 donation will allow us to continue our mission to feed and nurture the less fortunate.”

About Bank of America

Bank of America is a long-standing supporter of food banks across the country. In 2008, it donated more than $900,000 in local charitable giving, and associates volunteered nearly 4,000 hours to assist with hunger relief efforts. In April 2009, Bank of America provided a $1 million grant to Feeding America (formerly America’s Second Harvest), the nation’s largest domestic hunger relief organization, to provide food and groceries to hungry families. Information: www.bankofamerica.com.

About FOOD Share

A major food bank distributing millions of pounds of food each year to those in need throughout Ventura County, FOOD Share collects and receives food year-round, distributing to more than 150 partner agencies throughout Ventura County.

Its Brown Bag and Snack Attack programs provide supplemental nutrition to about 1,800 low income seniors through 31 agencies and healthy nutritious after school snacks to approximately 1,800 children though 12 agencies countywide and provides food to more than 40,000 people each month. Information: (805) 983-7100 or www.foodshare.com.

Interview Contacts:

Bonnie Weigel

CEO, FOOD Share

805-983-7100 x111

bweigel@foodshare.com

Media Contact:

Consortium Media Services

PR@Consortium-Media.com

(805) 654-1564

Tina Vervoorn, ext. 117

Melissa Healy, ext. 116

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