CHICAGO (MAY 16, 2024)— The Global FoodBanking Network (GFN), along with its partner PIMCO, celebrates winning a Halo Gold Award for the “Powering Food Banks for Zero Hunger” initiative in the Best Direct Service Initiative category at the Engage For Good Conference.
“We are deeply honored to be recognized for the work of our food bank partners around the world to provide nutritious, wholesome food to people in need,” said Lisa Moon, President and CEO of The Global FoodBanking Network. “Our partnership with PIMCO came at a critical time for the communities our food banks serve. Inflation, disasters, conflict and supply chain disruptions have increased food prices and the overall cost-of-living for so many. With PIMCO’s support, our food bank partners have more capacity to deliver food relief and to create stronger, more resilient communities for millions of people.”
The Global FoodBanking Network supports community-led food banks in more than 50 countries to recover wholesome, nutritious food from across the supply chain and redirect that food so it ends up on families’ tables instead of being discarded. Food banks are improving food access for millions of people while also reducing food loss and waste and the resulting emissions that worsen our climate crisis. In 2022, GFN members provided food to over 32 million people, while reducing GHG emissions by an estimated 1.5 billion kilograms.
The “Powering Food Banks for Zero Hunger” initiative is a five-year, $10 million partnership between GFN and PIMCO that has helped food banks in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia improve food access for an additional 3.28 million people, distribute and additional 17.9 million kilograms of food, and provide local leaders with the tools and resources to launch and scale up new food banks.
“We are honored by this recognition of our partnership with The Global FoodBanking Network, a collaboration that is mitigating hunger across three continents,” said Nate Brown, director of the PIMCO Foundation. “Together, we are committed to a vision of universal access to nutritious food, not just feeding the hungry but nourishing futures. We are grateful for this partnership and the profound impact we have achieved together.”
PIMCO deployed an all-in approach to this partnership, activating 45% of its workforce to participate in this initiative with GFN, contributing more than 10,000 volunteer hours from 2,400 volunteers. These volunteers not only worked in food bank warehouses but also leveraged their knowledge and expertise to assist food bank leaders in analyzing critical issues and presenting solutions that help their food banks thrive.
About The Global FoodBanking Network
Food banking offers a solution to both chronic hunger and the climate crisis. GFN supports partners in more than 50 countries to redirect surplus, healthy food to those who need it. In 2022, our network provided food to more than 32 million people. We help the food system function as it should: nourishing people and the planet together. Learn more at foodbanking.org.
