Citizens Bank, the Pawtucket Red Sox and Cox Communications Hit Home Run for Rhode Island's Hungry with 'Striking Out Hunger' Campaign

Citizens Bank, the Pawtucket Red Sox and Cox Communications Hit Home Run for Rhode Island's Hungry with 'Striking Out Hunger' Campaign

Strong season by PawSox pitchers results in $75,000 donation for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank - program totals $200,000

PROVIDENCE, R.I., Aug. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Prior to the Monday, August 24 Pawtucket Red Sox game, a pre-game ceremony on the field of McCoy Stadium aimed to have an impact on the lives of thousands of struggling Rhode Islanders. The Citizens Bank Foundation, in partnership with the Pawtucket Red Sox and Cox Communications, presented the Rhode Island Community Food Bank with a $75,000 donation, reflecting money raised through this year's "Striking Out Hunger" initiative.

At the start of this year's baseball season, Citizens Bank, the PawSox and Cox teamed up with the Rhode Island Community Food Bank to announce "Striking Out Hunger," an initiative that ran in conjunction with the 2009 PawSox baseball season. Each time a Pawtucket Red Sox pitcher struck out an opposing player, the Citizens Bank Foundation donated $75 to the food bank.

"Traditionally, the summer donations are critically low for the food bank," said Ned Handy, President, Citizens Bank, Rhode Island. "With children being out of school, and not able to participate in the school breakfast and lunch programs, local families are put under additional stress on already tight household budgets. Citizens Bank is dedicated to giving back to the community and making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate. What better way to help than to provide food to those who need it most."

Throughout the 2009 campaign, the Pawtucket Red Sox pitching staff has been one of the International League's best, ranking high in major statistical pitching categories. "Going into the year, we knew that we had extremely talented pitchers who were ready to take the next step in their development and have great seasons," said Lou Schwechheimer, Vice President & General Manager of the Pawtucket Red Sox. "While we knew they would help us win ballgames, the fact that they also helped so many of those in need is even more special. These guys were fired up every time they got two strikes on a batter."

"The continuing generosity of Citizens Bank, along with the PawSox and Cox, is an enormous boost to the food bank as the summer comes to a close and families start preparing for the start of the school year," said Andrew Schiff, CEO of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. "Throughout the summer, our network of food pantries reported increases in the number of families seeking help. This incredible donation, and awareness of the issue of hunger in our state, will mean a world of difference for so many of our neighbors in need."

To help draw public interest, "Striking Out Hunger" was promoted throughout the season with public service announcements on Cox Communications' network of cable programmers and the Pawtucket Red Sox Radio Network. The opportunity to further educate the community on the problems of hunger by reaching out and offering a way for the public to help is a key component of this initiative.

"Supporting the communities in which we live and work is a core value of Cox Communications," said John Wolfe, vice president of public and government affairs, Cox Communications. "We are proud to provide a critical means to raising awareness about the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and their pioneering efforts to end hunger in our state, once and for all."

Currently, the Rhode Island Community Food Bank is feeding more than 50,000 Rhode Islanders in need each month through a network of 285 member agencies such as food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other emergency food programs. This rise in need reflects a 26 percent increase over last year. According to the USDA, nearly 11 percent of all Rhode Island households, representing 115,000 people, are at risk of going hungry. Additionally, more than 17 percent of Rhode Island's children, one out of six, are at risk of missing meals.

Audio podcast available at http://tinyurl.com/mx7ugw

Photos available at http://tiny.cc/ia7fV

Source: Cox Communications

CONTACT: Michael Cerio of R.I. Community Food Bank, +1-401-942-6325,
ext. 213; Ashley Gingerella of Citizens Bank, +1-401-282-2605; Amy Quinn of
Cox Communications, +1-401-615-1185

Web Site: http://www.cox.com/

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