ARLINGTON, VA -- An integral part of the 2018 Ride With Rice road trip program was charitable giving on behalf of the U.S. rice industry and the 2019 Think Rice Road Trip program was no different.
Throughout the five states and the District of Columbia that the Rice Truck visited from September to December this year, USA Rice donated more than 650 pounds of U.S.-grown rice along with two commercial rice cookers and twenty mini-rice cookers to those in need.
“Our industry has a long tradition of giving back to those that need it most,” said Cameron Jacobs, director of domestic promotion. “We are proud to be able to continue that tradition through the consumer road trip program. Our donations made an impact across the board in urban and rural communities along the Atlantic coast, including student populations dealing with food insecurity.”
USA Rice made charitable donations to seven different organizations with individual one- or two-pound bags or bulk rice: the Armed Services Retirement Home in Washington, DC; the Lions Club, Together Shepherd Food Pantry, and the Shepherdstown Food Bank in West Virginia; the Ministry of Caring and the Cape Henlopen Food Bank in Delaware; and the Patriot Pantry in northern Virginia.
“This Think Rice Road Trip program was able to accomplish a lot within four months for the industry,” said Jacobs. “We raised awareness of U.S.-grown rice, made intimate and lasting impressions with consumers of all backgrounds throughout the mid-Atlantic, received media attention, and finally, made donations that will have a major impact in supporting our veterans, helping families living with homelessness, and supporting those having to deal with food insecurity. Our members’ support for these charitable programs is impressive.”
To read more about this year’s Road Trip, see Part One of the program recap
here and Part Two
here.
“We’re not done giving stuff away,” Jacobs added. “You can support the Ride With Rice program and all the good that has come from it by purchasing a truck raffle ticket. A maximum of 2,000 tickets will be sold and the winner will be drawn at the USA Rice Outlook Conference in Little Rock, Arkansas, on December 10. You don't need to be present to win, and you can even take the wrap off!”