Boeing Company’s "AmeriCAN" food drive helps feed local families in need

**Employee generosity results in 15,000 pounds of food for local families in need.

Boeing employees recently contributed more than 15,000 pounds of food during the company’s annual “AmeriCAN” food drive benefiting the St. Louis Area Foodbank and Operation Food Search.

The event comes at a much-needed time as both organizations struggle to meet the increase in requests for food assistance that typically come during the summer months.  “The largest segment of the population we serve are children, and the majority of them rely on the federal school breakfast and lunch programs throughout the school year,” stated Frank Finnegan, St. Louis Area Foodbank Executive Director.  “With school on summer break, our partner agencies notice an increase in requests for assistance each summer,” Finnegan concluded.

In addition to providing additional food for those in need, food drives collect product not typically donated by the food industry.  Items such as beef stew, canned fruits & vegetables, soups, and peanut butter are standard food drive donations and help hunger-relief organizations maintain a proper mix of shelf-stable items for families in need.

Combined, the two organizations distribute more than 25 million pounds of food each year to agencies that feed hungry people throughout the bi-state area.