/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ - MetLife Foundation today announced grants to twelve food banks. The grants, which total $450,000, will help the food banks respond to increased needs in local communities around the country. Since December 2008, MetLife Foundation has contributed $900,000 to food banks nationwide.

"Food banks and their partners play a critical role in meeting the needs of communities' most vulnerable residents - children, older adults, and the economically disadvantaged," said Dennis White, president and CEO of MetLife Foundation. "We are pleased to support their work, which is vital to community health and well-being."

The food banks receiving MetLife Foundation grants are:

• Atlanta Community Food Bank (Atlanta, Ga.)


• Community FoodBank of New Jersey (Hillside, N.J.)


• Feeding America Tampa Bay (Tampa, Fla.)
  
  
• The Foodbank, Inc. (Dayton, Ohio)


• Food Bank of Central New York (East Syracuse, N.Y.)


• Food Bank for New York City (New York, N.Y.)


• Foodshare, Inc. (Bloomfield, Conn.)


• Greater Boston Food Bank (Boston, Mass.)


• North Texas Food Bank (Dallas, Texas)


• Northern Illinois Food Bank (St. Charles, Ill.)


• Rhode Island Community Food Bank (Providence, R.I.)


• St. Louis Area Food Bank (St. Louis, Mo.)

MetLife Foundation was established by MetLife in 1976 to carry on its longstanding tradition of contributions and community involvement. Grants support health, education, civic and cultural programs. For more information about the Foundation, visit www.metlife.org.

MetLife Foundation

MetLife Foundation

MetLife Foundation was established in 1976 by MetLife to carry on its long-standing tradition of corporate contributions and community involvement. MetLife and MetLife Foundation have invested more than $15 million for Alzheimer's research and public information programs, including $10 million through the Awards for Medical Research program. Working with the Alzheimer's Association, the Foundation has supported caregiving videos, resources for the Hispanic community and the Safe Return identification program, which addresses the problem of senior wandering. The Foundation has expanded its focus on aging issues, including helping people remain physically and mentally fit and remaining engaged in the community. It also supports programs addressing issues of caregiving, intergenerational activities and volunteer opportunities. Grants support health, education, and civic and cultural programs. More information about MetLife Foundation is available at www.metlife.org.

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