COLUMBUS – From coast to coast, thousands of families in need have benefited from milk donations to The
Great American Milk Drive, the first-ever nationwide program to deliver highly desired and nutrient-rich
gallons of milk to hungry families who need it.
Since April, Feeding America has partnered with the nation’s milk companies and dairy farmers to create
The Great American Milk Drive. The initiative makes it easy to donate gallons of milk to those in your
community via a simple click of a mouse (www.milklife.com/give) or text message (text "Milk"
to 27722). But there’s much more work to be done to help deliver milk to the more than 46.5 million
Americans served by Feeding America annually.
"Nutrient-rich milk remains one of the most requested and least available items at our food banks.
The Great American Milk Drive is helping to change that, delivering thousands of gallons of milk to
families who would otherwise go without," said Bob Aiken, CEO of Feeding America. "The more
Americans support the program – form California to Maine, the more milk we can deliver to families who
need it most."
Findings from Feeding America’s newly released Hunger in America Study 2014, the largest study of its
kind analyzing the impact of hunger on Americans today, are truly alarming. For the millions of
Americans struggling with food insecurity, the study noted that opting for unhealthy foods or even
watering down food and drinks are common coping strategies – strategies that directly impact health and
nutrition.
"All children need nutritious food and drinks to have the best start in life," said Jennifer
Shu, MD, FAAP, Medical Editor of Healthy Children.org, the parenting website of the American Academy of
Pediatrics (AAP). "Good nutrition is necessary for health, growth, and learning, and milk provides
many of these essential nutrients. The AAP is pleased to help raise awareness about ways all families
can help each other in their communities, including how to help those who may need better access to
beneficial food and drinks."
Totals from September expected the Great American Milk Drive to have delivered 5,000 gallons to food
banks.
You can help get milk to families in need in your community:
• Online: Donate milk to families in need for as little as $5.00 at www.milklife.com/give or via text
message (text "Milk" to 27722). By entering your zip code, you can ensure that the milk is
delivered to a local Feeding America food bank in your community.
• In-store: Retailers, including more than 2,000 Kroger Stores, will feature The Great American Milk
Drive at the check-out counter.
• Social: As an official effort of Feeding America, the color of Hunger Action Month is "Feeding
America orange." Turn your social media profile orange and share a picture of your orange style
with @FeedingAmerica using the hashtag #HungerAction. Check out the milk social channels,
www.facebook.com/milk and @MilkLife on Twitter, for additional information and Great American Milk Drive
success stories.
• Local donation events: Support your local milk brand and find opportunities to donate to the cause at
more than 15 events coast-to-coast.