FoodNet 217 Surrey StreetLafayette, LALemel Jones, Executive DirectorPhone: 232-FOODFax: 232-3799email: thefoodnet@bellsouth.net

FOODNET CELEBRATES SILVER ANNIVERSARY WITH LAUNCH OF 25FOR25 COMMUNITY HUNGER AWARENESS PROJECT

LAFAYETTE – May 2, 2011 - FoodNet – The Greater Acadiana Food Bank is kicking off its 25For25 Community Hunger Awareness Project in June to commemorate its 25th Anniversary.

“We are extremely proud to have served the community for 25 years, and to do our part to stamp out hunger in America,” said Lemel Jones, executive director. “To help celebrate this milestone year, FoodNet is launching its 25for25 Community Hunger Awareness Project to further raise hunger awareness and to garner community involvement in a unique and fun way. We are asking the community ‘What can you do to help support FoodNet’s 25for25 Community Hunger Awareness Project?”

For its 25for25 Community Hunger Awareness Project, FoodNet is requesting businesses, organizations, universities, school districts, teachers, students, and individuals to find innovative ways in which the number 25 can be included in their awareness or fundraising project.

“It could be anything from 25 cans or cases of food, 25 hours of volunteer service, proceeds from washing 25 cars or 25 hours of instruction on hunger awareness,” explained Jones. “Just get creative and find a way in which you can get involved. Contact us before you get started and we can register your project and answer any questions you might have.”

FoodNet also accepts monetary donations and has already received $25,000 from St. Barnabas Church and $5,000 Lourdes Hospital Foundation for its 25for25 project.

Quote from board member here.

Could be additional quotes here???

To kick off the campaign project a BBQ lunch will be held on June 10th to honor all the volunteers and donors. The event details will be announced at a later date.?? The public is invited (is their a charge???)

The 25for25 project, which runs June through September, is also recognizing FoodNet’s founder Marcella Citron, 86, who is still an active volunteer in the organization. The project will culminate with a gala dinner in October. Details and tickets prices will be announced closer to the date that has yet to be announced.

Quote from Citron here.

Contact FoodNet at 323-HELP for 25For25 applications and to register your project.

FoodNet was founded in 1987 by Marcella Citron as a grassroots foodbank. Last year, FoodNet distributed nearly half-million pounds of food to approximately 35,000 people. For donations: send checks to FoodNet, P.O. Box 53397, Lafayette, LA 70505.

FOODNET, a non-profit food bank serving Lafayette Parish, was established in October 1987. The food distributed by FOODNET is donated by our community. KLFY TV 10 and the U.S. Postal Workers sponsor FOODNET's two largest food drives. KLFY's "Food for Families" food drive takes place in December and the Postal Workers food drive takes place annually. During major elections, the four Rotary Clubs of Lafayette collect donations for FOODNET at the polling places. Numerous corporations and organizations also hold independent food drives for FOODNET throughout the year. In addition, FOODNET operates a basket program in which FOODNET collection baskets are placed in participating local supermarkets. FOODNET has distributed tens of thousands of tons of food since 1986 to those in need. Lafayette Parish, FOODNET has representatives in more than 68 towns and cities that serve the nine Parishes that comprise Acadiana. http://www.foodnetacadiana.org/