Tyson Donates 50 Tons of Chicken to Gulf Coast

SPRINGDALE, Ark.Tyson Foods Inc. is sending more than 50 tons of chicken this week to the Gulf Coast to help fight hunger in communities affected by the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The donation was initiated by music legend Neil Young and his long-time friend John Tyson, chairman of Tyson Foods, and is being given in conjunction with special Gulf Coast concerts by Young.

The chicken products will be delivered to the Bay Area Food Bank, which services Central Gulf Coast communities in Alabama, Florida and Mississippi. The first delivery was made Sept. 27 to the food banks main warehouse in Theodore, Ala. Product also will be shipped later this week to the food banks Panhandle branch in Milton, Fla., and subsidiary distribution organization in Gulfport, Miss.

Neil Young concert-goers also have been encouraged to bring non-perishable food items, which are being given to the food bank. All proceeds from the sale of unique, limited edition Neil Young T-shirts, available only at the concerts, also are being donated to the food bank.

This is our way of trying to make a difference in the lives of people on the Gulf Coast who struggle, sometimes daily, with having enough food to eat," Young said. My thanks to those who have been donating food through my concerts and buying T-shirts to benefit the food bank. I also extend my appreciation to John Tyson and his company for their generosity."

Our company is active in the fight against hunger and were pleased to work with Neil Young to help the Central Gulf Coast in the aftermath of this years oil spill," Tyson said. Over the past 10 years, our company has donated more than 76 million pounds of chicken, beef and pork to help feed hungry people in America."