The Morgan Stanley Foundation today announced more than $1 million in grants to local food banks across the country. The funding will launch, expand and sustain critical childhood feeding programs across 30 cities in 19 different states.
The grants are the latest phase of Fill the Plate, Morgan Stanley’s long-standing partnership with Feeding America, the nation’s leading hunger-relief charity. In total, Morgan Stanley has committed more than $13 million for the Feeding America network to distribute millions of meals to children and families across all 50 states.
“Giving back to the communities where we live and work is one of Morgan Stanley’s core values,” said Joan Steinberg, President of the Morgan Stanley Foundation. “Feeding America, through its local member food banks, has incredible impact, and we are proud to partner with them to give children a healthy start.”
Across the country, Feeding America works to put nutritious food directly into the hands of children at risk of hunger through a series of programs, including its BackPack Program and School Pantry Program. These initiatives work directly with families to provide consistent sources of nutrition-dense foods.
“Feeding America and our network of food banks are immensely grateful to Morgan Stanley for its ongoing and innovative efforts to support our mission to provide children with nutritional food,” said Bob Aiken, CEO of Feeding America. “While food insecurity is harmful to any individual, it can be particularly devastating among children due to their increased vulnerability and the potential for long-term consequences.”
Nationwide, child hunger is a critical problem. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, nearly 16 million children in the United States live in households where they are unable to consistently access enough nutritious food necessary for a healthy life. Feeding America’s most recent Map the Meal Gap research indicates more than one in five children in 37 states and Washington D.C. do not have access to enough nutritious food to learn, grow and thrive.About Morgan Stanley
Morgan Stanley is a leading global financial services firm providing investment banking, securities, investment management and wealth management services. The Firm's employees serve clients worldwide including corporations, governments, institutions and individuals from more than 1,200 offices in 43 countries. Through its Global Alliance for Children’s Health, the Firm is dedicated to improving the lives and welfare of the world’s youngest citizens. For further information about Morgan Stanley, please visit www.morganstanley.com.
About Feeding America
Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity, our network members supply food to more than 37 million Americans each year, including 14 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks support 61,000 agencies that address hunger in all of its forms. For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community and across the country, visit www.feedingamerica.org. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow our news on Twitter at twitter.com/FeedingAmerica.
Media Relations Contact: Matt Burkhard, 212.761.2444