HARRISONBURG, VA. (January 12, 2016) — Perdue, through the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, has invested in local children facing adversity with a $15,000 grant to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Harrisonburg-Rockingham County. The funds will be used to support one-to-one matches in the Big Brothers Big Sisters School/Site-Based Mentoring Program. The program supports the social, emotional, and academic development of children, many who have been identified as reading below grade level. Mentors spend time each week with their mentee focused on reading and other fun activities.
Photo: On Tuesday at the Perdue facility in Bridgewater, Perdue Human Resources Manager Jim Hungate (left), Assistant to the Director of Operations Jessica Lokey-Smith, and Director of Operations Kenny Lambert present a check for $15,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters Executive Director Sue Totty.
“At Perdue, we are honored to be able to make this grant from the Foundation to continue our support to enhance and advance the important work of Big Brothers Big Sisters in our community,” said Kenny Lambert, director of Perdue operations in Bridgewater, Va. Lambert also serves on the Big Brothers Big Sisters Board of Directors. Through its local operations in Bridgewater, Perdue has also committed a total of $10,000 in sponsorship toward Big Brothers Big Sisters’ annual Bowl for Kids’ Sake fundraising event since 2014.
“Perdue is a tremendous partner in our work to help local children reach their full potential,” said Sue Totty, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters. “This grant comes at a critical time for our agency and will directly impact nearly 100 matches by providing professional staff support to guide the mentoring relationships.”
The Foundation has awarded $55,000 in endowments to Big Brothers Big Sisters since 2011. This year’s grant marks an increase of $5,000 from the $10,000 awards provided annually in each of the previous years. Among other improvements, evaluation data shows that children matched in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program progress academically, avoid risky behaviors such as drugs and truancy, develop better relationships with family and peers and experience higher self-confidence.
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Harrisonburg-Rockingham County
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Harrisonburg-Rockingham County is a youth-services organization that pairs adult mentors in professionally guided, one-to-one matches with children facing adversity. As an affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the nation’s largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network, the organization holds itself accountable for children in the program to achieve positive, measurable outcomes through research-based methods. Among other improvements, local evaluation data shows that children served progress academically, avoid delinquency, and experience increased self-confidence. Founded locally in 1976 as an outreach of Trinity Presbyterian Church, the organization is the largest Big Brothers Big Sisters agency in the state of Virginia, serving 638 children 2015. For more information, please call 540.433.8886 or visit www.bbbshr.org.
About Perdue Farms
Perdue Farms is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for everyone we touch through innovative food and agricultural products. Since our beginning on Arthur Perdue’s farm in 1920, to our expansion into agribusiness and the introduction of the PERDUE® brand of chicken and turkey under Frank Perdue, and continuing with our third generation of leadership with Chairman Jim Perdue, we’ve remained family owned and family operated. We are the parent company of Perdue Foods and Perdue AgriBusiness. Through our PERDUE® SIMPLY SMART®, PERDUE® HARVESTLAND®, COLEMAN PREMIUM® and COLEMAN ORGANIC® food brands; agricultural products and services; and stewardship and corporate responsibility programs, we are working to become the most-trusted name in food and agricultural products. Learn more about Perdue Farms at www.perduefarms.com.
About The Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation
The Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, the charitable giving arm of Perdue Farms, was established in 1957 by company founder Arthur W. Perdue and is funded through the estates of Arthur W. Perdue and Frank Perdue. As part of our belief in supporting the communities where and with whom we do business, the Foundation provides grants on behalf of Perdue Farms in communities where large numbers of our associates live and work. At Perdue Farms, we believe in responsible food and agriculture.