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Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Pledges $5 Million to Feed Southern Nevadans in Need

The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation steps up to ensure struggling Southern Nevada families have the food assistance they need this year, pledging $5 million toward Three Square Food Bank’s 2011-2012 annual budget. Three million dollars of the pledge are specifically designated as matching funds, calling on the community to meet the full dollar amount by April 30, 2012.

Three Square must raise $12 million for the 2011-2012 budget in order to meet its operational goal of distributing more than 24 million pounds of food and grocery product into the community. Through a network of more than 600 Program Partners, Three Square currently serves approximately 100,000 individuals monthly, 40,000 of which are children.

“The Hilton grant will help ensure that children, families and seniors who rely on Three Square and our network of Program Partners will continue to have help available when they need it most,” said Three Square Food Bank President and CEO Brian Burton. “We are asking the community to rise to the challenge and bring this generous gift to its full capacity; matching the $3 million Hilton Foundation funds will result in the equivalent of 18 million meals for people in need.”

According to a recent study by Feeding America, there are 300,000 Southern Nevadans currently struggling with hunger even after all existing non-profit and governmental food assistance programs. This means that one in six local families face food insecurity or may not know where their next meal is coming from at some point throughout the year.

“We know that the need in this community is greater than ever before,” said Burton. “With the phenomenal support and generosity of dedicated partners like the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, we will continue to grow and expand until the need for food in this community is met.”

The Hilton Foundation was instrumental in the development of Three Square, its expansion and ability to secure the North Campus Warehouse. To date, the Hilton Foundation has contributed more than $12 million in the fight against hunger in Southern Nevada.

“The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation takes great satisfaction in knowing that its early grants helped launch Three Square and that our current grant will help sustain it into the future,” said Hilton Foundation President Steve Hilton. “The role of my uncle and foundation board member Eric Hilton in helping Three Square become a premier social service organization for the Las Vegas community cannot be underestimated. All those in the Las Vegas community who joined in this effort should feel equally proud of this great achievement.”

Interested community members can take part in the Hilton Foundation Matching Challenge Grant now through April 30, 2012. Funds can be paid-in-full or pledged, and may be multi-year gifts. Donate now at threesquare.org or by calling 702-644-FOOD (3663).

About Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation was created in 1944 by international business pioneer Conrad N. Hilton, who founded Hilton Hotels and left his fortune to help the world’s disadvantaged and vulnerable people. The Foundation currently conducts strategic initiatives in five priority areas: providing safe water, ending chronic homelessness, preventing substance abuse, caring for vulnerable children, and extending Conrad Hilton’s support for the work of Catholic Sisters. Following selection by an independent international jury, the Foundation annually awards the $1.5 million Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize to a nonprofit organization doing extraordinary work to reduce human suffering. From its inception, the Foundation has awarded nearly $940 million in grants, distributing more than $100 million in 2010. The Foundation’s current assets are approximately $2 billion. For more information, please visit www.hiltonfoundation.org.

About Three Square
Three Square was established to end hunger in the valley by providing wholesome, nutritious food to non-profit organizations that serve a wide range of Southern Nevadans in need. A national model project inspired by Eric Hilton with a grant provided by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Three Square is a community collaborative partnership with the gaming industry, businesses, non-profit agencies, food distributors, higher education institutions, the CCSD, governmental entities, the media and thousands of volunteers to efficiently and effectively serve hope to those in our community struggling with hunger. Three Square currently provides more than 22 million pounds of food and grocery product – the equivalent of nearly 16 million meals – per year to more than 600 Program Partners including non-profit and faith-based organizations, schools and feeding sites throughout Southern Nevada. Three Square is a member of the Feeding America network of food banks. For additional information visit www.threesquare.org.