Tyson Foods teams up with Chicago group to ‘KNOW’ hunger

Tyson Foods is teaming up with the Chicago Urban League to bring the KNOW Hunger campaign to the Windy City. The Springdale-based company will donate 33,000 pounds of protein to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, according to a joint press release from the two organizations.

The program, made possible by a $150,000 grant from Tyson Foods to National Urban League, is a one-year campaign that aims to raise awareness about hunger and nutrition through large scale protein donations, thought leadership exercises, community engagement events and hunger education opportunities.

The KNOW Hunger initiative is entering its fourth year of partnership with National Urban League, having started in Mississippi, spent two years in Nashville, Tennessee before making its way to Chicago.

“We chose Chicago because of the high concentration of food insecurity in the area – 1 in 6 of our neighbors, around 812,000 — turn to the Greater Chicago Food Depository’s network for assistance,” said Deb Sinta, vice president of Talent and Culture, Tyson Foods. “Chicago was also very fitting as the next KNOW Hunger city because of the large company presence we have in the Chicagoland area. We want to give back to the community any way we can.”

The Chicago Urban League will spearhead local on the ground efforts. Some of the nearly 1,000 people Tyson Foods employs in the Chicago area will also be involved in volunteer efforts along with assistance from local Urban League affiliate Guild auxiliaries, Young Professional auxiliary members and Project Ready Students.

Tyson Foods has been active in hunger relief for many years, donating more than 100 million pounds of protein to food banks and other relief agencies since 2000.