Chase, Driving Out Hunger

At a time when more families in Colorado face the threat of going hungry, FBR announced at a recent press conference that Chase has donated two state-of-the-art refrigerated food delivery trucks to supply Colorado and Wyoming's hungry with fruits, vegetables, dairy products and other fresh food.

FBR & Chase employees proudly pose outside of one of the donated trucks.

Channel 4's Jim Benemann drove up during the conference in the second truck, horns blazing. As if the donation of two trucks weren't enough, Chase also donated funds to operate each of these trucks for the first year. "We are deeply grateful for this generous donation from Chase," said FBR President, Kevin Seggelke. "Having a new refrigerated truck on the Western Slope will allow us to rescue and distribute more nutritious food that would otherwise be discarded by retailers and wholesalers in the region. The donation, valued at more than $250,000, was announced with the surprise arrival of Jim and the second truck, called a mobile pantry.

FBR's Kevin Seggelke speaks to the crowd about the generosity of Chase and the importance of the donated trucks for our neighbors in need.

Chase President, Todd Munson, points to the surprise donation driving toward them.

Enter Mr. Jim Benemann. He hands the keys to to truck to Kevin.

"This is FBR's first mobile pantry, which will provide us with the means to distribute food to rural and urban food deserts - places in Colorado where we don't have enough partner agencies to meet the needs of our struggling neighbors," Seggelke said. "Thanks to Chase, this gift will provide hope to many who worry where their meal will come from." The donation from Chase, part of the JP Morgan Chase & Co., is a component of the year-round philanthropic program that addresses economic, education and cultural issues facing Coloradoans.

"At JP Morgan Chase, we focus our giving on the local, under served communities in Colorado, particularly when our efforts can enhance their quality of life," said Todd Munson, President of Chase in Colorado. "These refrigerated trucks better equip FBR to deliver nutritious food to our community and we could not be more proud to be part of this hunger relief initiative."

Tamara Door, President of the Downtown Denver Partnership speaks about their dedication toward fighting hunger in our city.

Our friend Dom from the Dom and Jane show showed his support at the press conference.

Following the press conference, FBR was invited to join Chase at their booth at the Downtown Denver Employee Appreciation Week celebration. FBR was able to talk to downtown Denver employees about our services and our partnership with Chase. And as if that all wasn't enough, on the Tuesday evening following the press conference, nearly 50 Chase employees volunteered their time at FBR's warehouse, packing and sorting food.

Can we say enough about Chase? No, we absolutely can't. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts!

Chase employees staff their booth on the 16th Street Mall and help solicit donations for FBR.

When folks donated at the booth, they signed their name on our banner. Chase President, Todd, Munson, is the first to autograph the keepsake.

Food and donations were loaded into one of the new trucks each afternoon.

The Chase volunteer group poses during their 4 hour shift at FBR.

Chase announced its donation in Denver as part of a $5 million national grant to Feeding America and its nationwide network of food banks. This donation marks the largest single corporate donation that Feeding America has received from a corporation to date. The national donation will support hunger-fighting initiatives, supplying 34 trucks to 20 food banks in communities hit hard by the recession. The trucks’ destinations include Feeding America network food banks in 19 cities and local communities nationwide. With the new trucks, food banks can transport up to 1.5 million pounds of food -- the equivalent of 1,171,185 additional meals -- annually.