Tyson Gives 29,000 Pounds of Chicken to Local Families

It is literally a truckload of chicken—and it is all going to families in need.

A refrigerated Tyson semi truck pulled into a Norcross facility Friday with 29,000 pounds of boneless chicken. The two-pound bags, worth about $75,000, will soon be divided up and distributed to Gwinnett families in need.

“We are proud to donate this truckload of products,” said Scott Jacobson, regional sales director for Tyson. He said that while his company’s efforts don’t come anywhere close to meeting local needs, he’s happy to know that thousands of families will benefit. “Protein is crucial,” he said, adding that often people in need don’t get access to healthy protein.

Demetrius Jordan, an area director for the United Way, also expressed his gratitude for the type of donation. “We know that in Gwinnett there are over 30,000 families who struggle to eat,” he said. “Typically food banks only have access to non-perishables.”

The donation was made to the United Way, which partnered with 50 different local charities, churches and schools — including Gwinnett County Public Schools— and will oversee the distribution. 

The 5,000 vouchers for the chicken all have been distributed, according to Tracy Christian, who coordinated the effort. “It’s been a lot of work but the agencies were great. We pulled it all together in less than a month,” she said. Families with vouchers will pick up their six pounds of chicken at Meadowcreek High School in Norcross.

The donation kicks off of the Tyson KNOW Hunger campaign, a nationwide effort to donate one million pounds of food in the next few weeks. 

The Tyson driver, Dennis Parker, was all smiles despite his long journey from Springdale, AK. He said he likes driving when he knows the goods he delivers will help feed hungry people. “It gives me a good feeling,” said Parker as the 24 pallets of chicken were fork-lifted out of the truck.