Peterson Family Foundation Announces “Million Meal” Commitment to Fight Hunger in Prince George’s County

For immediate release:
11/13/2014 10:00:00 PM

For more information, contact:
Call Prince George’s County 3-1-1 (Monday-Friday, 7am-7pm)

​Working with charity Gleaning For The World and the Prince George’s County Department of Social Services, Department of Family Services and Prince George’s County Public Schools, the Peterson Family Foundation and National Harbor pledge one million meals per year for three years to boost nutrition for local families and children

Fort Washington, MD - Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III today announced that the Peterson Family Foundation and National Harbor are committing to donate the equivalent of 1 million meals annually for the next three years to fight hunger in Prince George’s County.  County Executive Baker was joined by Milt and Lauren Peterson from the Peterson Family Foundation, Prince George’s County Council Member Obie Paterson (D-District 8), Prince George’s County Public Schools CEO Dr. Kevin M. Maxwell, along with local and state elected officials. To view pictures from this event, please click here. To view video of this announcement, please click here.

The contribution from the family foundation associated with The Peterson Companies – one of the largest privately held real estate development companies in the Washington region and developer of National Harbor in Prince George’s County – was announced at Fort Foote Baptist Church, one of the sites that will help distribute the food to families. Much of the food distribution will be targeted toward the six communities in Prince George’s County that are part of the County Executive’s Transforming Neighborhoods Initiative.  Prince George’s County families seeking to learn more about eligibility for food assistance should call 3-1-1 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday – Friday.  

“If we are going to see substantive changes in our communities that have significant economic, health, public safety and educational challenges, I think it’s clear that we need to address all elements of residents’ lives. Hunger and nutrition are two critical elements,” said County Executive Baker. “Once again, to have a partner like the Peterson Companies and National Harbor step up in such a significant way is a great example for other businesses and individuals in our community.  Prince George’s County thanks Milt Peterson and the Peterson Family Foundation for demonstrating their commitment to our communities and our families.”

The Peterson Family Foundation will work with Gleaning For The World to provide regular deliveries of food to Prince George’s County for distribution to families in need, equivalent to 1 million meals per year for each of the next three years. The Virginia-based non-profit assists communities in need both in the United States and around the world, and Forbes magazine has ranked Gleaning For The World as “The Most Efficient Large Charity in the United States.”

“Under County Executive Baker’s leadership, Prince George’s County is making such a remarkable upward journey, and we are proud to make another investment in his vision,” said Lauren Peterson, director of the Peterson Family Foundation. “Our family has worked with Gleaning For The World for many years and we’ve seen their tremendous work. We know that bringing them in as a partner with Prince George’s County to fight hunger and improve nutrition will help build on the County’s momentum.”

Trucks from Gleaning For The World, in conjunction with the Peterson Family Foundation and the Mid-Atlantic Gleaning Network, will be regularly traveling across Prince George’s County to deliver fresh food to the various distribution sites. Much of the fresh produce will come from local farms in the region. The Mid-Atlantic Gleaning Network has a long history of linking farmers who have crops that are edible, but not marketable, with those who distribute food to the needy in the Washington region through the work of volunteer gleaners

Dr. Kevin M. Maxwell, Chief Executive Officer of the Prince George’s County Public Schools, said the contribution targeting hunger among Prince George’s County families and children will ultimately impact classroom achievement.

“The research is quite clear that hunger and poor nutrition have a real impact on children’s ability to learn,” Dr. Maxwell said. “We look forward to leveraging our partnerships with County agencies to best identify the families that need these resources the most. A concentrated effort like this to fight hunger and improve nutrition among our County’s students is sure to pay dividends every day in our classrooms.”

The County Executive’s Transforming Neighborhoods Initiative focuses on improving the quality of life in six neighborhoods: East Riverdale/Bladensburg, Glassmanor/Oxon Hill, Hillcrest Heights/Marlow Heights, Kentland/Palmer Park, Langley Park, and Suitland/Coral Hills. Food distribution is being arranged at sites convenient to each of these communities.

“Between the slow economic recovery and cutbacks in federal spending over the past few years, there remain many families in Prince George’s County who continue to struggle with basic needs like food and proper nutrition,” said Reverend Joseph W. Lyles, Pastor of Fort Foote Baptist. “This type of long-term commitment, and the fresh produce that will be a substantial part of each delivery, will make a real difference in the lives of many families and children.”

The contribution to fight hunger in Prince George’s County comes six months after the Peterson Family Foundation announced a $1 million commitment over four years to Teach For America-D.C. Region, with the funding specifically earmarked for Prince George’s County.

For more information please visit our website news page.