Hudson Valley emergency food outlets have served 3 million more meals than they did in 2006 - an increase of over 35 percent. It has undoubtedly been a record year, though thanks to a generous donation of $53,000.00 from Mother Earth's Storehouse, Hudson Valley's hungry will not go unnoticed.

Food Bank Shortages And Record Hunger Rates

2010 has been a record year for food bank shortages. In the Hudson Valley, more than 90,000 households do not know when their next meal will come from. However bleak these figures may seem, some local businesses have stepped up to help. This will be the second year in a row that the small locally-owned health food store has made a substantial contribution to the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley (FBHV). Mother Earth's Storehouse and the Hudson Valley-based food bank have partnered to help alleviate hunger in Ulster, Dutchess, Orange, Sullivan, Putnam, and Rockland counties in the mid-Hudson Valley region of New York.

The Food Bank of the Hudson Valley was created by a group of food pantry coordinators and anti-hunger advocates in 1990. Over 20 years later, it has established a successful history of helping distribute food to area families in need. Their mission has never been more important, contributing support and food distribution for over 360 food pantries, soup kitchens, and emergency shelters. Even with so many emergency food organizations united to feed the hungry, many have found themselves forced to turn away the hungry because of shortages.

Charitable Giving Has Fallen For The First Time Since 1987

In a time when the Hudson Valley has reached record unemployment rates, few businesses have made the commitment to give back to their neighbors like Mother Earth's Storehouse. Kevin and Chris, the two brothers who own three Hudson Valley health food stores, have made a statement of solidarity with their neighbors who are less fortunate. Standing in front of last year's Food Bank's Cosimo DiBrizzi Humanitarian Award, Chris Schneider explained, "Our business is all about nutrition and health awareness. We can't think of a better way to give back to our community." Kevin reiterated his brother's feelings, pointing to last year's donation of $25,000.00 to the Food Bank, "This year, our customers have helped us raise an astounding $53,000.000 through our Rewards Plus Card program." He added, "We encourage all our customers to present their Rewards Plus Card at checkout. When they do, 1% of their member's rewards will be donated directly to Food Bank of the Hudson Valley."

Never Losing Sight of The Big Picture

The two brothers from Kingston believe that philanthropy makes good business sense, especially in the current economic climate. "Our customers believe in being socially responsible. Their spirit of generosity has made this program a success. They [customers] feel good knowing that a percentage of their grocery purchase will be donated to local charity." After 30 years in business, Mother Earth's Storehouse has grown to three stores (Poughkeepsie, Kingston, and Saugerties) though they haven't lost sight of the big picture: providing healthy food for their customers and helping feed Hudson Valley's hungry.

For more information about Mother Earth Storehouse and Food Bank of the Hudson Valley, please visit www.motherearthstorehouse.com or www.foodbankofhudsonvalley.org. The donation event will be held Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 2:00PM in the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley offices located at 195 Hudson Street, Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York. For inquiries or ways that you, too, can help, call Toni at (845 ) 534-5344.