----8/6/2009----

LINCOLN - Lincoln Electric System (LES) employees set a new company record for contributions to the Food Bank of Lincoln's "One can...together we can" Campaign Against Hunger food drive in July.

LES employees donated $4,543 and 875 pounds of nonperishable items. The funds donated in 2009 were $287 higher than last year, said LES Administrator and CEO Doug Curry, which is an average of more than $10 per employee.

"For many years, LES has been a strong supporter of the Food Bank of Lincoln and the Campaign Against Hunger," Curry said. "Given our challenging economic times, I am proud that LES employees responded to set a new record for generosity."

Food Bank Executive Director Scott Young said the monetary donations could account for $22,000 to $25,000 worth of food because the Food Bank purchases food in bulk at a significantly lower cost. Young said the donations will be distributed to residents in need in southeast Nebraska.

He said the Campaign Against Hunger benefits such efforts as the BackPack Program, which provides food to more than 2,000 children at 46 local schools, and the Rural and Housewarming Project.