MCLEAN, Va. – Officials with the Food Processing Suppliers Association (FPSA) announced on April 3, the launch of its 2017 Defeat Hunger campaign supporting the Greater Chicago Food Depository. With a donation goal of providing 400,000 meals during the 2017 campaign, donations will be collected through the final day of this year’s PROCESS EXPO on Sept. 21.

FPSA has made a commitment to donate $75,000 at PROCESS EXPO in addition to organizing a food drive during the show and launching a web-based portal to facilitate donations throughout the year. The effort to address the hunger issue in Cook County has been a priority for organizers and exhibitors during previous year’s shows and David Seckman, president and CEO of FPSA says the past and future success is due to the support of the organization and its members. 

“FPSA, its Foundation and its members made a commitment long ago to provide assistance to those in need in the city of Chicago, the home of our event PROCESS EXPO,” said Seckman. “We are proud how FPSA members have stepped up to embrace this initiative and look forward to our largest campaign to date.”

Jeff Dahl, chairman of the FPSA Foundation says the Defeat Hunger campaign has always been an important part of the association’s trade show by addressing what raising money and awareness of what is an alarming rate of food insecurity.

“Over the past two shows, the Defeat Hunger campaign has already generated enough donations to provide over 560,000 meals to the people of Cook County," Dahl said. “The Greater Chicago Food Depository does tremendous work for the community of Cook County and it is an honor to work with them in addressing food insecurity.”

Kate Maehr, executive director and CEO of the food depository said the partnership with FPSA sends a positive message that no one should go hungry.

“Each year, the Food Depository serves more than 812,000 hungry men, women and children in Cook County,” she said. “That response would not be possible without the support of FPSA and its members through the Defeat Hunger campaign.”

 More information about the campaign is available by clicking on the “Giving Back” link at: www.fpsa.org or by calling (703) 663-1212.