From a press release sent out by
Penguin Group USA:
The “Be Thankful” initiative urges support of our less fortunate neighbors
Thanksgiving is a time to gather with family around an extravagant
meal and be thankful for all the security and stability in our lives.
But it’s also a reminder that a cold winter is ahead, and it is
therefore important to acknowledge our less fortunate neighbors, which
is why Penguin is proud to support The Maryland Food Bank, with
Penguin’s first ever “Be Thankful” initiative.
#1 New York Times bestselling Penguin author,
Nora Roberts was born
in Silver Spring, Maryland and has a deep affinity for her home state,
having set many of her more than 200 novels in Maryland. Her recent NY
Times bestseller,
“Thankless in Death” is a suspense thriller which
centers around loved ones coming together for Thanksgiving. The brutal
reality of hunger in Maryland sadly has its own frightening narrative.
“I was shocked to discover that the Maryland Food Bank distributes more
than 34.6 million pounds of food – the equivalent of almost 29 million
meals each year – and despite that significant effort, families still go
hungry in our region,” stated Nora Roberts. “I am proud to help raise
awareness of this issue and to applaud the incredible work that local
food banks do daily to eradicate hunger in Maryland. The holiday season
is a great reminder to capture the spirit of giving thanks and helping
those in need.”
Penguin would also like to acknowledge the efforts of Governor Martin
O’Malley, who is committed to ending childhood hunger in Maryland by
2015. “One hungry child is one too many,” said Governor O’Malley.
“Because of its connection to student achievement, workforce strength,
physical health, and behavioral health, we’ve made eradicating childhood
hunger a priority in our State.”
“We are delighted to support The Maryland Food Bank for the first
time. The negative cascading effect that food insecurity can have on a
person, a child or a family, is devastating. Penguin is proud to
recognize the tireless efforts of The Maryland Food Bank and its
commitment to lead the fight against food insecurity and hunger,” said
Leslie Gelbman, President of Mass Market Publishing, Penguin Group
(USA). To mark the occasion, Penguin Group (USA) is making a $10,000
donation to The Maryland Food Bank. “There are more than 457,000 people
in our service area who don’t know where their next meal is coming from,
and more than a third are children,” says Maryland Food Bank President
& CEO Deborah Flateman. “The emotional toll of hunger is especially
high during the holidays. Families are struggling to put food on the
table, heat their home, and at the same time keep traditions alive, so
their children feel normal – at least for one day. This gift will go a
long way, and help many, many families in need.” The donation ensures
that over 20,000 meals will be made available to the citizens of
Maryland who are in dire need of food assistance.
You too can become involved in the “Be Thankful” initiative by
donating food or volunteering; to view a complete list of the affiliated
food banks and or participate in a Virtual Food Drive, please visit
Feeding America’s national Food Bank Locator at
http://bit.ly/9ociO.
The Maryland Food Bank is a nonprofit hunger-relief organization,
leading the movement to end hunger throughout Maryland. For more than
thirty years, the Maryland Food Bank has partnered with communities
across the state to distribute food to individuals and families in need.
Through carefully-crafted programs, the food bank aims to meet the
immediate needs of Marylanders while simultaneously working to find long
term ways to reduce hunger statewide. Currently distributing 79,000
meals per day – nearly 29 million meals annually – the Maryland Food
Bank will continue to expand its efforts until hunger ends.
The Maryland Food Bank (www.mdfoodbank.org) operates from three
facilities: one in Baltimore, one in Salisbury, and one in Hagerstown.
Through an extensive network of soup kitchens, pantries, schools and
other community-based organizations, food is distributed throughout 22
counties, including Baltimore City, and Somerset, Wicomico, and
Washington counties – some of the most food-insecure regions in
Maryland.
About Penguin Group (USA)
Penguin Group (USA) Inc. is the U.S. member of the internationally
renowned Penguin Group. Penguin Group (USA) is one of the leading U.S.
adult and children’s trade book publishers, owning a wide range of
imprints and trademarks, including Viking, G. P. Putnam’s Sons, The
Penguin Press, Riverhead Books, Dutton, Penguin Books, Berkley Books,
Gotham Books, Portfolio, New American Library, Plume, Tarcher, Philomel,
Grosset & Dunlap, Puffin, and Frederick Warne, among others. The
Penguin Group (www.penguin.com) is part of Penguin Random House plc, the
international media company.
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Wherever you live, you can help people who are hungry. There are programs to which you can donate food, money, and time, and not just at the holidays, but all year long. I support several local food pantries; just Google 'shelter' or 'food pantry' and see what's local to you.
