NEW YORK, Aug. 14, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Haier America, headquartered in midtown Manhattan, will hold the 2nd annual Haier Volunteers initiative with the Food Bank For New York City during the last two weeks of August. Employees from Haier will join staff to prepare and serve food at the Food Bank's Community Kitchen & Food Pantry in Harlem, continuing the efforts that began last year.
"Volunteering with the Food Bank last year was extremely rewarding for our employees, and Food Bank staff enthusiastically asked us to continue our Haier Volunteers program this year at the facility," said Shariff Kan, president of Haier America. "We believe in the work they are doing and will continue to support the efforts of the Food Bank through this program and others throughout the year."
"Food Bank For New York City is thrilled to welcome back Haier to our Community Kitchen & Food Pantry for their 2nd annual Volunteers Initiative," said Margarette Purvis, President and CEO of Food Bank For New York City. "Volunteers have a huge impact on our ability to provide food and services to New Yorkers in need while seeking long-term solutions to food poverty throughout New York City. Approximately 1.5 million New Yorkers rely on Food Bank food distribution and services and we're grateful to Haier for making it possible for more New York families to come together to share a meal."
A program of the Food Bank For New York City, the Community Kitchen & Food Pantry in Harlem is a full-service soup kitchen and food pantry that helps provide nearly 50,000 free meals each month to individuals and families. Beyond food services, the Food Bank works to help New Yorkers in need gain self-sufficiency by offering on-site income support including free income tax services and food stamp programs, facilitated health care enrollment and financial counseling, and rent, mortgage and utility services.
Through the umbrella program of Smarter Life, Better Planet, Haier addresses all of the company's initiatives as they relate to corporate social responsibility and sustainability. Haier has supported Food Bank for New York City in the past through Haier Volunteers and a Haier Virtual Food Drive as part of the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Additionally in 2012, Haier supported Food Bank's annual Can-Do Awards Dinner with a wine cellar donation for their auction and made a donation of a freezer to the Beth Hark Christian Counseling Pantry.
For more information about the Food Bank for New York City, visit www.foodbanknyc.org. A video of last year's volunteering experience is available on Haier's YouTube channel and photos can be viewed on Pinterest.
About Food Bank For New York City: Food Bank For New York City recognizes 28 years as the city's major hunger-relief organization working to end food poverty throughout the five boroughs. As the city's hub for integrated food poverty assistance, the Food Bank tackles the hunger issue on three fronts — food distribution, income support and nutrition education — all strategically guided by its research. Through its network of community-based member programs citywide, the Food Bank helps provide 400,000 free meals a day for New Yorkers in need. The Food Bank's hands-on nutrition education program in the public schools reaches thousands of children, teens and adults. Income support services including food stamps, free tax assistance for the working poor and the Earned Income Tax Credit put millions of dollars back in the pockets of low-income New Yorkers, helping them to achieve greater dignity and independence. 94% of donations go directly toward food distribution, acquisition and programs in all five boroughs of New York City. Learn how you can help at foodbanknyc.org.
About Haier
Based in the landmark Haier Building in midtown Manhattan, Haier America is a division of the multinational Haier Group, the world's #1 major appliance brand as ranked by Euromonitor International 2011, and a global leader in consumer electronics and air conditioner systems. Haier employs more than 70,000 people around the world and distributes products in more than 165 countries and regions with global revenues reaching $23.3 billion in 2011. Haier is proud supporter of the National Parks Conservation Association. For more information, please visit www.haieramerica.com. You can also become a Fan of Haier America on www.facebook.com/Haieramerica or follow Haier America via Twitter @haieramerica.
Media Contact:
James Liess, Haier America, 212-594-3330 ext 2006 or jliess@haieramerica.com
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The following pictures are available for download:
| [Image] | Food Bank For New York City |