SALISBURY, Md. - For one in six Americans, hunger is a miserable reality. At Perdue, we believe that in a country as rich as ours, no one should have to go hungry.

That's why, building on a company commitment to fighting hunger in our communities, Perdue has sponsored the 2011 "Strike Out Hunger" All-Star Game at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium on behalf of the three main Delmarva food banks.

"The 2011 Strike Out Hunger All-Star Game has provided us with a large stage to bring the problem of hunger to the forefront," said Andrea Williams, vice-president and controller, Perdue Foods and co-chair of the Strike Out Hunger Campaign. "The food banks and the Shorebirds have stepped up and embraced this campaign - now we're hoping the community will join us in our efforts. Together, we can 'Strike Out Hunger on Delmarva.'"

The campaign, which will run from today until the June 21 South Atlantic League (SAL) All-Star game, is focused on raising food donations and funds, and encouraging volunteer efforts to benefit the Eastern Shore Branch of the Maryland Food Bank, the Food Bank of Delaware and the Eastern Shore Branch of the Food Bank of Southeastern Virginia.

"These three Delmarva food banks serve our community in such an important way," said Chris Bitters, Shorebirds general manager. "Their impact is immeasurable. That is why we are committed to this effort and we challenge the community to join us."

Shorebirds plan Strike Out Hunger promotions
The Shorebirds will run promotions throughout the first half of the season, which will benefit the "Strike Out Hunger" campaign. The first of these events is Shorebirds Fan Fest on March 26. For each non-perishable food item that attendees bring to the Fan Fest, they will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win cool Shorebirds prizes. The Shorebirds have also declared the first three Sunday home games "Strike Out Hunger Sundays." If fans bring two non-perishable food items they can receive a general admission ticket to that day's game for $1. Each of the three Sunday games will benefit a different Delmarva food bank:

• April 10, 2:05 p.m., Eastern Shore Branch of the Maryland Food Bank
  
• May 1, 2:05 p.m., Food Bank of Delaware
  
• May 15, 2:05 p.m., Eastern Shore Branch of the Food Bank of Southeastern Virginia

Arthur W. Perdue Stadium will house food donation barrels through the All-Star Game, making it easy for fans to help by bringing food to the game or just stopping by the stadium.

The Shorebirds have also already identified some community partners who will be contributing to the campaign with drives of their own including: Princess Anne Little League, Runaway Bay Apartments, University of Maryland Eastern Shore Athletics, Salisbury University Athletics, Nor'Eastern Storm Dance Team, Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the SU "Greek" organizations.

Creating support within the community
"We are all so happy for the opportunity to participate in such a profound partnership," said Jennifer Small, Eastern Shore branch manager, Maryland Food Bank. "The community support this creates will have a great impact helping the Maryland Food Bank feed the more than 25,000 people we are feeding per month through our 130 Network Partners throughout eight Eastern Shore counties. Whether you are in Maryland, Delaware or Virginia you can help us Strike Out Hunger."

The food banks will be working with businesses, groups and individuals throughout the Shore that would like to be involved.

"As a step to show the types of events that can take place in the community to support Strike Out Hunger, the Perdue Corporate Office will be holding a week-long Stuff a Chick Bus food drive and the results will be announced at the Shorebirds season opener April 7," said Williams.

As a part of this campaign, Perdue has also committed to donating $10 for each time the Shorebirds' pitchers strike out an opposing batter (up to $5,000). The $5,000 will be split between the three Delmarva food banks.

If you or your organization would like to get involved in the Strike Out Hunger campaign contact the Shorebirds or one of the three participating food banks.

For more information on the Strike Out Hunger All-Star Game and the campaign visit the "2011 South Atlantic League 'Strike Out Hunger' All-Star Game" page on Facebook.

Step Up To the Plate Challenge
As an extension of Perdue's sponsorship of the 2011 South Atlantic League All-Star Game, Perdue, in cooperation with the Delmarva Shorebirds, is also announcing the Perdue "Step Up to the Plate" All-Star Challenge. Sponsored by Perdue through the Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, "Step Up to the Plate" challenges each of the 14 SAL teams to partner with their respective Feeding America affiliate community food bank to involve their communities in the fight against hunger.

Perdue is offering each SAL team community a $1,000 challenge grant, funded through the Arthur W. Perdue Foundation. The money will be awarded to each participating food bank that raises, in cooperation with its SAL team, the equivalent of 5,000 meals. This can be in any combination of pounds of food collected, funds collected and donated or volunteer efforts from the opening of the 2011 season through June 12.

About Perdue and the Arthur. W. Perdue Foundation
PERDUE® is the No. 1 brand of fresh chicken in the Eastern United States.

Ranked as the third largest poultry company in the U.S., Perdue is a leading international food and agriculture family of businesses providing quality products and services to customers in more than 100 countries. Privately held and family-run for three generations, the company employs more than 21,000 associates and partners with more than 2,200 independent farm families - all of whom share in the commitment to quality that has guided the company since its founding in 1920.

The Arthur W. Perdue Foundation is a tax-exempt charitable foundation established in 1957 by the founder of Perdue Incorporated. Grants are distributed for the improvement of life in the community through support of the arts, community development, education, health, human services and youth activities.

For more information, contact Luis A. Luna, vice president of Corporate Communications, at 410-341-2533 or visit www.perdue.com.