“Haul Across America” Tour Arrives in Houston

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(Houston, TX – December 3, 2007) – On December 6th at 10:30 a.m. the national “Haul Across America” tour will arrive at End Hunger Network, located at 2445 N. Freeway in Houston. An inspiring human story about a life touched by hunger in the Houston metro area will be added to a growing national collection.

This collection of stories, submitted by hunger relief organizations from across the nation, began its journey October 17th in Portland, Oregon and will make several stops on the way to the nation’s capital. End Hunger Network in Houston has been selected as a stopping point. The stories are carried in the cab of an ABF truck and headed for Washington D.C. Upon arrival on March 1st the stories will be presented for recognition.

The goal of the “Haul Across America” is to increase awareness about the realities of hunger in the U.S. The effort hopes to bring the understanding that behind every hunger statistic there is a story of an individual, a child or family that needed assistance. These are also stories of how local food banks affect the lives of those in need. The largest growing segment currently in need of emergency hunger assistance in the U.S. is the working poor. This segment of the population does not qualify for government assistance and turns to food banks for help.

End Hunger Network in Houston is a member of the America’s Second Harvest Network - the largest charitable hunger relief organization in the country. Amy Ragan, Director of Development for the Houston organization says, “We are very excited to be part of this effort. We want the public to know that there are hungry people out there and they have a story. We want to add a story from Houston to the collective voice and let everyone know the needs.”

The “Haul Across America” tour is a part of the U-Pack-A-BackPack initiative – a national virtual food drive to fight childhood hunger. This is a joint effort between The America’s Second Harvest Network and ABF U-Pack Moving®. All donations to the virtual food drive at will be tracked by zip code and remain in the communities in which they are raised. Local contributions will benefit area food bank programs that help feed children and their families.

The public and supporters of End Hunger Network are invited to attend the event. For more information or to donate visit www.U-PackaBackPack.org

About End Hunger Network
End Hunger Network, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, channels surplus food to people at risk for hunger in 18 southeast Texas counties. Through its four programs—Meal Prep, Red Barrel, Mobile Meals4Kids, and Food Rescue—End Hunger Network provides the transportation, processing, and logistical expertise to prevent nutritious foods from ending up in Houston-area landfills. Each day, this innovative network collects enough to feed 8,000 people and prepares about 5,000 meals in its one-of-a-kind Mary Barden Keegan Hunger Relief Center. To learn more about End Hunger Network and how to help Houston’s hungry, please visit www.endhungernetwork. Contact: Amy Ragan www.endhungernetwork.org 713-532-3663

America’s Second Harvest – The Nation’s Food Bank Network is the largest charitable domestic hunger-relief organization in the country with more than 200 Member food banks and food-rescue organizations serving all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The Network supports approximately 50,000 local charitable agencies operating more than 90,000 programs including food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, after-school programs and Kids Cafes. Last year they provided food assistance to more than 25 million people in the United States. For more on the America’s Second Harvest Network, please visit www.secondharvest.org. Contact: Mathew Killion 312-641-6646 mkillion@secondharvest.org

ABF U-Pack Moving is an affordable, convenient residential moving solution. In operation since 1923, ABF Freight System, Inc.® is one of North America’s oldest and most reputable motor carriers. The project U-Pack-A-Backpack began in October 2007 to raise funds and increase awareness for childhood hunger. The program was originally created to assist school backpack programs. All of the funds raised go to the America’s Second Harvest network of food banks. Funds benefit the communities in which they are raised. For more information go to www.upack.com or U-PackABackPack.org.