Main Street America Donates More Than 1 Ton of Non-Perishable Goods to Local Food Banks

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Main Street America Group has collected more than 1 ton of non-perishable goods during its annual Thanksgiving food drive.

“Especially during tough economic times like these, our employees continue to embody this philosophy by giving generously, which is evident through the 100-pound increase over last year’s drive.”

The super regional property-casualty insurance carrier’s drive donated 2,261 pounds to several food banks located in five of the cities where Main Street America has offices. All goods were donated by the company’s employees.

The following local organizations received goods collected during the company’s two-week drive, which was held Nov. 2 through Nov. 13, 2009:

• Auburn, Mass. – 230 pounds for Worcester (Mass.) County Food Bank.
• Jacksonville, Fla. – 1,361 pounds for Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Florida.
• Keene, N.H. – 300 pounds for The Community Kitchen.
• Richmond, Va. – 184 pounds for Central Virginia Food Bank.
• Syracuse, N.Y. – 186 pounds for The Food Bank of Central N.Y.

“We hold our companywide Thanksgiving food drive each year because Main Street America is dedicated to making a positive impact in the communities where we work and live,” said Tom Van Berkel, Main Street America’s chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Especially during tough economic times like these, our employees continue to embody this philosophy by giving generously, which is evident through the 100-pound increase over last year’s drive.”

In addition to an annual Thanksgiving food drive, Main Street America also conducts a holiday toy drive each year, benefiting Toys for Tots. The 2009 toy drive is scheduled for Nov. 30 through Dec. 11.

About The Main Street America Group

With roots dating back to 1923, The Main Street America Group is a super regional insurance company that operates five property-casualty insurance carriers: NGM Insurance Company, Old Dominion Insurance Company, Main Street America Assurance Company, MSA Insurance Company and Great Lakes Casualty Insurance Company. Based in Jacksonville, Fla., Main Street America offers a wide range of commercial and personal insurance products, and fidelity and surety bond products, to individuals, families and businesses in 22 states, including 16 East Coast states from Maine to Florida, as well as Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah.

With more than $800 million in premium written exclusively by 1,500-plus independent insurance agents, the 86-year-old company insures more than 600,000 policyholders. The company has regional offices in Jacksonville; Keene, N.H.; Richmond, Va.; Syracuse, N.Y.; and Grand Rapids, Mich., and a claims reporting center in Auburn, Mass. A.M. Best Company rates The Main Street America Group as an "A" (Excellent). Main Street America is the founding company partner of Trusted Choice®, the global branding program of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America. For more information about Main Street America, please visit www.msagroup.com.