FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT:
Laura Soll - Rockville Bank (860) 688-4499 or Cell (860) 833-4466
Gloria J. McAdam - Foodshare (860) 286-9999 or Cell (860) 306-5349

Rockville Bank President Rolls Up Sleeves to Distribute Fruits, Vegetables &
Funds At MOBILE FOODSHARE Delivery Location

A REMINDER THAT HOLIDAYS ARE NOT ONLY TIME FOODSHARE NEEDS HELP

Distributing food at today's Mobile Foodshare location in Manchester, Conn. are (left to right) William J. McGurk, Rockville Bank President & CEO; Mobile Foodshare driver Paul Moreau; and Gloria J. McAdam, Foodshare President and CEO.

BLOOMFIELD, CONN. , February 6, 2007 - Every year, millions of pounds of fruits and vegetables are donated to Foodshare to feed hungry people in Hartford and Tolland Counties. But the challenge is how to quickly distribute the fresh produce before it spoils and is wasted.

Foodshare, the regional food bank - responded with the creation of a mobile delivery program called "Mobile Foodshare" three years ago. The perishable foods are loaded into large trucks and driven into the communities to the low-income people who need them the most. In 2006, Foodshare distributed more than 3 million pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables. That same year, the number of distribution sites that could be served by a single truck reached its limit, and the organization purchased a second vehicle.

But with the number of hungry dramatically growing, there is an ever-increasing demand for more community distribution locations, and it is expected that the second truck's schedule could fill up within the next year.

That's why Rockville Bank stepped forward with a $1,000 donation to Mobile Foodshare and why it is calling on residents and local companies to support this effort too. "Many people think that Foodshare only needs our support during the holiday season," explains William J. McGurk, President and CEO of Rockville Bank. "But this is just one of the critically needed programs that the organization operates all year long. We urge our neighbors and area businesses to help Foodshare provide these kinds of innovative services that reach into our communities to serve even more people who are desperately in need."

McGurk made his comments today at a Mobile Foodshare distribution site at the Elks Lodge #1893 in Manchester, Conn. where he rolled up his sleeves and helped to distribute produce with Foodshare workers and volunteers from the Manchester Area of Conference of Churches (MACC). Close to 100 people came to pick up food in the bone-chilling weather.

"We're grateful to Rockville Bank for their generous gift, which will be used to support a variety of Foodshare programs, including this one" says Gloria J. McAdam, Foodshare President and CEO. "Mobile Foodshare is a great complement to many local programs we support such as traditional food pantries and shelters. It boosts the amount of perishable products such as highly nutritious fruits and vegetables that we are able to make available for hungry people in our region."

Each Mobile Foodshare truck unloads at three sites every day, and delivers on two-week rotations. There are 48 different distribution locations in Avon, Bloomfield, Bristol, East Hartford, Enfield, Farmington, Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, Rockville, Stafford, Vernon, West Hartford, and Willington. One of the trucks has refrigerated compartments, so Foodshare now can also deliver meats, yogurts, ice cream and other dairy items, when available. Almost all of the fruits and vegetables are donated to the organization by local farmers, produce wholesalers, or by national produce companies through America's Second Harvest - the nation's food bank network.

Foodshare is the heart of Greater Hartford's anti-hunger network. The regional food bank distributes 12 tons of food each day to more than 375 local programs that serve hungry people in all 42 towns of Hartford and Tolland counties. These local food pantries, kitchens, shelters, and other social service programs feed 100,000 of our hungry neighbors, 40,000 of whom are children. There are many ways to support Foodshare and help ensure that people in need have enough to eat. Please visit www.foodshare.org or call 860-286-9999 to make a donation, become a volunteer, or learn more. Remember, the holidays are not the only time Foodshare needs your help!

Rockville Bank is an-18-branch community bank in Connecticut that provides a convenient banking lifestyle for the communities it serves in: Coventry; Rockville; Vernon; Ellington; Tolland; Manchester; East Hartford; South Windsor; East Windsor; Suffield; Enfield; Somers; Glastonbury; and South Glastonbury with four supermarket locations open seven days a week. For more information about Rockville Bank's services and products, call (860) 291-3600 or visit www.rockvillebank.com.

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