World Food Program USA Announces $50,000 Donation from the Pacers Foundation in Support of the UN World Food Programme’s Philippines Typhoon Relief Efforts
World Food Program USA (WFP USA) today announced that the Pacers Foundation has donated $50,000 in support of the United Nations World Food Programme’s (WFP) emergency relief efforts in the Philippines. The Indiana Pacers toured the Philippines over multiple days in October prior to playing a NBA preseason game versus the Houston Rockets in front of a sold-out crowd of 12,885 in Manila on October 10.
WFP is working closely with the Philippines government to bring in food and other relief items by air, road and sea. Rice has been distributed to nearly 50,000 people in the Tacloban area through family packs, which consist of canned food and rice purchased locally by WFP. To date, 44 metric tons of High Energy Biscuits – a key commodity in emergencies because they are nutritious and require no cooking – have been flown to the Philippines. WFP is poised to mobilize a range of additional food commodities to keep people alive and stabilize the nutrition situation.
“A huge number of men, women, and children are vulnerable and severely at risk,” said Jim Morris, President of Pacers Sports & Entertainment. “Our help will make all the difference in the world in their survival and give them some hope for their lives. So little will mean so much and touch so many lives all for the better.”
“We are so grateful to the Pacers Foundation for their generosity at such a critical time,” said WFP USA President and CEO Rick Leach. “Jim Morris continues to be a leader in the fight to end global hunger – from his tenure as Executive Director of the UN World Food Programme to his current position with the Pacers. Jim and the Pacers Foundation’s donation demonstrates the commitment of the American public to the people of the Philippines in this time of great need.”
Americans are asked to make urgent donations to support life-saving food relief for the millions impacted by Typhoon Haiyan. Donations can be made at www.wfpusa.org/emergency or by texting the word AID to 27722 to instantly donate $10.
Over the next six months, WFP plans to implement critical food assistance to an estimated 2.5 million people. In parallel to providing emergency food supplies, WFP is bringing in infrastructure including prefabricated offices, generators and radio equipment. This is vital to allow the government and humanitarian community to properly organize the response.
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About World Food Program USA
World Food Program USA (WFP USA) works to solve global hunger, building a world where everyone has the food and nutrition needed to lead healthy, productive lives. WFP USA raises support for these efforts in the United States by engaging individuals, organizations and businesses, shaping public policy and generating resources for the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).
