MetLife Foundation Commits $1 Million to Fight Hunger

Donations to Support Food Banks Across the U.S.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As part of its efforts to fight hunger in the United States, MetLife Foundation is committing $1 million to support community food banks. Through its 2012 Food Bank Initiative, MetLife Foundation will provide grants to fourteen food banks to help them meet the growing demand for services.

“Food banks are often on the front lines in the fight against hunger and play a vital role in meeting basic needs and providing critical services for their communities’ most vulnerable residents, including children and older adults.”

Today in the United States alone, one-in-six people struggle with hunger, including many children. The MetLife Foundation Food Bank Initiative will enable food banks in the following locations to increase their ability to serve their communities: Food Bank for New York City; Community Food Bank of New Jersey; North Texas Food Bank; The Greater Boston Food Bank; Feeding America Tampa Bay; Foodshare in Bloomfield, CT; Rhode Island Community Food Bank Association; St. Louis Area Food Bank; Atlanta Community Foodbank; Food Bank of Central NY; Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma; Northern Illinois Food Bank; The Foodbank, Inc. in Dayton, OH; and Food Bank of Iowa. MetLife Foundation will also support Feeding America, a national nonprofit organization, through its Food Bank Initiative.

“Promoting healthy and strong communities is a cornerstone of MetLife Foundation’s work,” said Dennis White, president and CEO of MetLife Foundation. “Food banks are often on the front lines in the fight against hunger and play a vital role in meeting basic needs and providing critical services for their communities’ most vulnerable residents, including children and older adults.”

Since 2008, MetLife Foundation has awarded more than $3 million to help combat hunger. This has included support for the Food Bank Initiative, Meals on Wheels programs and the MetLife Healthy Families Program at the New York Botanical Garden.

About MetLife Foundation:

MetLife Foundation was established in 1976 to continue MetLife’s longstanding tradition of corporate contributions and community involvement. The Foundation’s commitment to building a secure future for individuals and communities worldwide is reflected in its dedication to empowering older adults, preparing young people and building livable communities. Since it was established, MetLife Foundation has provided more than $530 million in grants and $70 million in program-related investments to nonprofit organizations addressing issues that have a positive impact in their communities. For more information visit www.metlife.org