LULAC Continues to Impact as it Launches 90th Annual Convention in Wisconsin

Oldest and largest U.S. Hispanic advocacy organization partners with Tyson Foods to provide 35,640 tons of food to the local Milwaukee community

MILWAUKEE (July 10, 2019) – The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) kicked off its 90th Annual National Convention & Exposition today in Milwaukee, announcing a partnership with Tyson Foods that will provide 35,640 tons of food for local community food banks. This donation will support UMOS, a non-profit advocacy organization with the largest food pantry in the southside of Milwaukee, and Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, which aims to build a pathway to stability.

“There is no better way to celebrate LULAC’s 90th anniversary than by partnering with Tyson Foods, America’s largest food company, to help feed hungry families in the Milwaukee area,” said Domingo Garcia, LULAC National President. “Every single community in the country is affected by food insecurity, including Latinos, who are at greater risk of developing diet-related illnesses and continue to see the impact of hunger and malnutrition firsthand. LULAC is committed to making a difference in communities across our nation and we are honored to have the support of Tyson Foods in this effort.”

“We’re proud to support LULAC and the critical role they play in communities across the country,” said Nora Venegas, director of government relations at Tyson Foods. “We know local food banks and pantries often struggle to provide clients with much needed protein and we hope this donation will help address food insecurity for our neighbors in need.”

Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows that one-in-six people and more than 20-million families in America are experiencing some level of food insecurity daily. In 2018, 18.5 percent of Latino households experienced food insecurity-- a higher rate than the general population. As a result, churches, community-based social service agencies and food banks are all reporting record-levels of need for fresh food and nutrition.

“In 2018, UMOS distributed over 418,000 pounds of food to 9,876 individuals and families,” said Rod Ritcherson, UMOS Spokesperson. “This is a great partnership and we are incredibly thankful for this important donation. It will help us address food disparities and will ensure we’re able to continue to meet the needs of the community.”

Donation recipients include Mother of Perpetual Help, St. Matthias Catholic Church, Holy Assumption Congregation, Saint John Paul, Good Samaritan, Hope House and Silver Spring Neighborhood House.

More about the LULAC’s 90th Annual Convention

Led by LULAC President Domingo Garcia and CEO Sindy Benavides, LULAC’s four-day convention will bring together over 20,000 Latino leaders from across the country for seminars and notable events, including a Presidential Town Hall with 2020 candidates: Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT); Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA); former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julián Castro; and former Representative Beto O’Rourke (D-TX). LULAC will also host a national stage featuring Second Lady of the United States Dr. Jill Biden (2009 – 2017); Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO); U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI); and former Representative John Delaney (D-MD). An agenda and list of speakers is available here. Select events, including the Presidential Town Hall, will be live streamed at www.lulac.org/live.

For more information on interview opportunities, please contact Cristina Rue at (937) 479-9330 or by e-mail at crue@skdknick.com, or Mary Ellen Garrett at (202) 510-2760, or by e-mail at mgarrett@skdknick.com.

About LULAC:
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1,000 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.LULAC.org

About Tyson Foods Inc.:
Tyson Foods Inc. (NYSE: TSN) is one of the world’s largest food companies and a recognized leader in protein. Founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson and grown under three generations of family leadership, the company has a broad portfolio of products and brands like Tyson®, Jimmy Dean®, Hillshire Farm®, Ball Park®, Wright®, Aidells®, ibp® and State Fair®. Tyson Foods innovates continually to make protein more sustainable, tailor food for everywhere it’s available and raise the world’s expectations for how much good food can do. Headquartered in Springdale, Arkansas, the company had 121,000 team members at September 29, 2018. Through its Core Values, Tyson Foods strives to operate with integrity, create value for its shareholders, customers, communities and team members and serve as a steward of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it. Visit www.tysonfoods.com.