Baton Rouge, LA - December 14, 2011 - Local entrepreneur Ryan D. Jumonville has donated one million (1,000,000) meals to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank to help feed children that are food insecure and missing meals on a daily basis. Jumonville, CEO of Baton Rouge based United Networks of America, was inspired to give a helping hand to these children and families during a time when the Food Bank so desperately needs the support.
"I saw a report that ranked Louisiana #1 in food insecure children under 5 years old. More than 1 out of every 4 children in Louisiana are food insecure, said Jumonville. That means the children are unable to consistently access adequate amounts of food. Louisianians are too proud a people to allow children to go hungry in our great State. I hope that others will join me in this fight."
A landmark study released by Feeding America in March 2011, "Map the Meal Gap," provided the first detailed look at the needs of the 113,790 individuals in the Greater Baton Rouge area who are food insecure or struggling with hunger. More than 40,000 children in our 11-parish service area are missing meals on a daily basis. It is important to note that this study was done before Census 2010 data was released, which now reveals an even greater number of children living in poverty in Louisiana - 27%.
"We are grateful and humbled by this generous donation that will be put to good use in feeding those less fortunate in our community. Food is a basic human need and no child should have to go to bed or wake up hungry everyday", said Michael Manning, President and CEO of the Food Bank.
