Teaming up to “Fight Hunger – Feed Dreams”
Fifth Third Bank helps Salvation Army in meeting needs of the community

(Fort Myers, FL) The Salvation Army of Lee, Hendry and Glades Counties is proud to partner with Fifth Third Bank in the “Fight Hunger – Feed Dreams” campaign. The food drive will definitely be an appreciated asset to The Army’s food pantry as it fights hunger right here in our community. The food drive began on May 3rd and will continue throughout the month of May at all Fifth Third Bank locations.

“We are very grateful that Fifth Third Bank has looked at the needs in our community and thought of a great idea to help neighbors and friends. The Army is seeing staggering increases across the board in all its food programs. The Emergency Food Pantry has seen a 60% increase in provisions since 2007. Last year, we filled over 48,000 grocery orders which equated to over 436,000 meals. Our evening meal program, Meals with Compassion, served over 24,000 meals to hungry individuals and families. That program serves a hot meal to anyone in need, 365 days a year. Since 2001, Meals with Compassion has seen a 220% increase. So you see, this food drive couldn’t have come at a better time,” stated Major Art Penhale, Corps Office for Lee, Hendry and Glades Counties.

With the summer months ahead, families rely on the services of The Salvation Army and other agencies just to survive. In the 2009 school year, nearly 70% of all Lee County students were enrolled in the free or reduced breakfast and lunch program. For the majority of Lee County’s school children, when school is not in session, they often go without meals and essential nutrition. “Having this food drive at this time of year will definitely help us in meeting the needs of families,” added Penhale.

The community is encouraged to help in Fifth Third’s canned food drive. Everyone is welcomed and encouraged to drop off non-perishable items such as:

canned meats (fish, chicken, ham)    canned vegetables        pastas
peanut butter (plastic jars only)    canned & dry beans        diapers
canned fruits                rice                crackers
cereals                    macaroni & cheese        baby formula




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About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. 91 cents of every dollar spent is used to carry out those services in Lee, Hendry and Glades Counties. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyleecounty.org


About Fifth Third Bank
Fifth Third Bank (South Florida), headquartered in Naples, has assets of $3.6 billion and more than 60 banking centers serving Broward, Charlotte, Collier, Lee, Manatee, Palm Beach, and Sarasota counties. Hours will vary by location; for branch banking hours, visit www.53.com. An affiliate of Fifth Third Bancorp, Fifth Third Bank offers full-service banking convenience, including mortgage, private banking, corporate banking, trust, investments, and currency exchange for 110 countries.

Fifth Third Bancorp is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Company has $113 billion in assets, operates 16 affiliates with 1,309 full-service Banking Centers, including 103 Bank Mart® locations open seven days a week inside select grocery stores and 2,364 ATMs in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Tennessee, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Georgia and North Carolina. Fifth Third operates four main businesses: Commercial Banking, Branch Banking, Consumer Lending, and Investment Advisors. Fifth Third also has a 49% interest in Fifth Third Processing Solutions, LLC. Fifth Third is among the largest money managers in the Midwest and, as of March 31, 2010, had $190 billion in assets under care, of which it managed $25 billion for individuals, corporations and not-for-profit organizations. Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com. Fifth Third's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ® National Global Select Market under the symbol "FITB."