August 8, 2018

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Aug. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Eight hundred Rochester families in need will receive enough food to supplement meals for a week plus daily essentials, thanks to a partnership between PepsiCo and Feed the Children. The event kicks off at 11 a.m. EST at Eastman Business Park, 1650 Lake Ave., Rochester, N.Y.

This is the fourth year PepsiCo and Feed the Children have partnered to help feed families in Rochester, where more than 38 percent of the population lives below the poverty line¹. This event is part of a larger initiative between the two organizations to help feed communities in cities throughout the United States.

"We love serving the Rochester community and are grateful for the opportunity to give back to our community," said Bonnie Keith, key account manager, Mid-Atlantic region, PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division. "At Frito-Lay and PepsiCo, we believe in engaging our associates in community projects and initiatives that make a positive difference by supporting our local community where we live and work."

The receiving families have been identified and preselected by Catholic Family Center, a Rochester-based not-for-profit organization that helps elevate the local community by enabling independence, empowering the vulnerable and strengthening individuals and families.

 "We recognize hunger can't be fought alone, but by working together, we can provide food and essentials to millions of children and families who live in poverty," said Travis Arnold, president and CEO of Feed the Children. "Hope for a better future is made possible thanks to our many volunteers, donors and partners."

"Tops is committed to eradicating hunger in the communities we serve," said Frank Curci, Chairman & CEO, Tops Friendly Markets. "We're thrilled to partner with our friends at PepsiCo and Feed the Children on this initiative. The way we see it, we're simply neighbors helping neighbors."

"Catholic Family Center is grateful to be working once again with PepsiCo, Feed the Children, and our neighbors at Tops Markets," said Marlene Bessette, CEO, Catholic Family Center (CFC). "Together, these partners are truly providing vital nourishment for both body and mind to some of our city's most vulnerable families and children."

Each qualifying recipient at today's event will be given:

• One 25-pound box of nonperishable food items
• One 15-pound box of personal-care items
• One box of AVON products
• Frito-Lay Better-For-You Variety Pack
• PepsiCo beverages
• Life Original Cereal
• Quaker Oatmeal
• Quaker Breakfast  Flats
• Fresh produce and non-perishable food items provided by Tops Friendly Markets

Volunteers from PepsiCo, Tops Friendly Markets, Catholic Family Center and Feed the Children will be on-site serving families and assisting with distribution at today's event.  SwiftLift will provide equipment and drivers necessary to unload nearly a hundred pallets of food and supplies, for safe and efficient distribution to families.

About PepsiCo
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $63 billion in net revenue in 2017, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker and Tropicana. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including 22 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

At the heart of PepsiCo is Performance with Purpose – our fundamental belief that the success of our company is inextricably linked to the sustainability of the world around us. We believe that continuously improving the products we sell, operating responsibly to protect our planet and empowering people around the world is what enables PepsiCo to run a successful global company that creates long-term value for society and our shareholders. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com.

About Feed the Children
Established in 1979, Feed the Children exists to defeat childhood hunger. It is one of the largest U.S.-based charities and serves those in need in the U.S. and in 10 countries around the world. It provides food, education initiatives, essentials and disaster response. It operates five distribution centers located in Oklahoma, Indiana, California, Tennessee and Pennsylvania.

In fiscal year 2017, Feed the Children distributed 79.8 million pounds of food and essentials to children and families in the U.S. Internationally, it provided nutritious food or other benefits to 1,080,000 children, empowered 291,000 parents to make better decisions for their children, and positively impacted more than 1,200 communities and schools in 10 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. It is accredited by GuideStar Exchange and the BBB Wise Giving Alliance. Visit www.feedthechildren.org for more information.

About Catholic Family Center
Catholic Family Center (CFC) is Greater Rochester's largest provider of comprehensive family services. Each year we assist tens of thousands of our neighbors, relatives and friends as they work to remain or become healthy, productive, participating members of our community. We serve all people—regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, age, ability or gender. Our programs work together to address the many issues of human need across all stages of life.

For more information, please contact:
Kathy Cloud
817-726-4228
Kathy.Cloud@pepsico.com

¹http://www.city-data.com/poverty/poverty-Rochester-New-York.html

SOURCE PepsiCo