BASF joins Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, Volunteer Ascension to help fight childhood hunger

GEISMAR – In recognition of BASF's 150th anniversary, the Geismar site donated $25,000 to Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank to bring the BackPack child nutrition program to Ascension Parish. The donation will provide backpacks filled with a nutritious food for 100 low-income students for the 2015-16 school year. With the help of Volunteer Ascension, BASF employee volunteers will stuff backpacks with food and deliver them to students for weekends and holiday supply through the school year.

"We're celebrating our 150th anniversary by supporting critical needs in the community, which is a year-round commitment for BASF," said Tom Yura, Senior Vice President and Manager of the BASF site in Geismar, Louisiana. "We appreciate the opportunity to work with our nonprofit partners to fight poverty and childhood hunger in Ascension Parish."

The BackPack program helps feed low-income children on weekends and holidays when they are not in school receiving their main source of nutrition through the National School Lunch Program. Last year, Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank enrolled 575 children in the program in eight area schools.

"We are excited to have BASF join us to expand the BackPack program to children in need in Ascension Parish," said Mike Manning, President and CEO of Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank. "In addition to providing the funding needed for this vital program, BASF employee volunteers will pack and distribute the backpacks to these children - demonstrating BASF's strong commitment to the community.”