NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) today announced a grant of $8 million over four years to Feeding America® in support of programs that help address child hunger and improve equitable access to food among children and underserved populations. Since 2009, Morgan Stanley’s funding for Feeding America has totaled more than $50 million, helping to deliver more than 356 million meals1 to children and families. Additionally, Morgan Stanley employees have volunteered more than 130,000 hours for Feeding America food banks across the U.S.
“The Morgan Stanley Foundation has supported the Feeding America network of food banks for 15 years and counting as part of our core value of giving back and our longstanding commitment to children’s health,” said Joan Steinberg, Morgan Stanley’s Global Head of Philanthropy and President of the Morgan Stanley Foundation. “We are proud to build upon this partnership and continue to fund innovative solutions that reach communities across the country at risk of food insecurity.”
Morgan Stanley’s latest grant to Feeding America will support the following initiatives:
- Child and Family Hunger Grants: These grants will be used to expand child hunger programs, helping children and their families access food and resources where they are and when they need it most. This includes: mobile and school food pantry programs; BackPack, which discreetly offers families free groceries for weekends and school breaks; after-school, weekend and summer meal programs; and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) application assistance programs.
- Equitable Access Operational Response Plans (ORPs): These programs are a new way to improve equitable access to food among underserved populations. Selected food banks will develop and implement customized ORPs that target the people and communities most affected by food insecurity in their area. Programs address reported barriers, such as lack of awareness of food assistance options, social stigma, lack of transportation, discrimination, and dietary or cultural preferences.
“All communities and each person within them deserve the food they need and desire to thrive. Morgan Stanley’s grants provide funding for programs that champion dignified and reliable access to nutritious food for people facing hunger while working to address barriers to support,” said Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America. “We are deeply grateful for Morgan Stanley’s long-term support for grassroots programs as well as the hours their employees have volunteered. Both advance our shared vision of a food-secure America.”
The new grant is being announced as Morgan Stanley kicks off its annual Global Volunteer Month, when employees across the world participate in thousands of volunteer projects to generate impact where they live and work. To launch this year’s volunteer program, 300 employees will be gathering today in Times Square to pack meals for Food Bank For New York City.
To learn more about Morgan Stanley’s giving back efforts, please see here.
About Morgan Stanley
Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) is a leading global financial services firm providing a wide range of investment banking, securities, wealth management and investment management services. With offices in 42 countries, the Firm’s employees serve clients worldwide including corporations, governments, institutions and individuals. For further information about Morgan Stanley, please visit www.morganstanley.com.
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1 Currently, $1 helps provide at least 10 meals secured by Feeding America® on behalf of local partner food banks.