Feeding Indiana’s Hungry Announces 2011 Hoosier Hunger Heroes
Hunger Hero award publicly recognizes partners for their role in alleviating hunger in Indiana
INDIANAPOLIS, IN (September 22, 2011) Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, the statewide association of Indiana’s Feeding America affiliated food banks, is pleased to announce the recipients of its third annual Hoosier Hunger Hero award, an award created to honor and recognize individuals and partners who make a compassionate and transformational impact on those who are hungry in Indiana.
Last year, one in six Hoosiers was at risk of not having enough to eat, and the rate for Hoosier children was as high as one in four. The member food banks of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry distributed nearly 60 million pounds of food in 2010 through 1,700 partner agencies like pantries, soup kitchens, after school programs, and congregate meal sites.
Feeding Indiana’s Hungry today honored Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller. For the third consecutive year, Zoeller partnered with the Indiana State Bar Association and Feeding Indiana’s Hungry to call on law firms and lawyers to raise money and food donations benefiting 11 regional food banks. The 2011 March Against Hunger raised more than 6,000 pounds of food and $27,574, which combined is the equivalent of 143,986 pounds (or 72 tons) of assistance.
“All members of the legal profession take an oath to serve the interests of their clients above their own,” Zoeller said. “It has been heartwarming to see the response of attorneys in Indiana step up to help the food banks in our state serve those who struggle to feed their families. As Attorney General I’m honored to accept this recognition on behalf of all attorneys who have helped fulfill our oath.”
Feeding Indiana’s Hungry also honored Bob Forney. Mr. Forney was a Hoosier and the Founding President and CEO of The Global FoodBanking Network (GFN), an international organization that works collaboratively to reduce world hunger by securing more food and enhancing the ability to efficiently distribute food through food banks and food bank networks around the globe. Mr. Forney served as President and CEO of Feeding America, the largest U.S. charitable domestic hunger relief organization. Previously, Mr. Forney was President and CEO of the Chicago Stock Exchange Inc. Mr. Forney passed away unexpectedly last August.
“The Hunger Heroes we are honoring represent the finest examples of Hunger Relief Advocates there are,” said Jane Avery, president of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry and executive director of Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana. “Bob Forney spent his life helping feed people on the national level and Attorney General Greg Zoeller has used his statewide influence to feed hungry Hoosiers. These fine individuals deserve our respect and appreciation for their immense contributions to hunger relief,” said Avery.
