(Franchise Buy) - By . Updated Aug 2, 2012

Employees to help deliver nearly 240,000 meals; lead more than 250 volunteer projects

NORTHBROOK, Ill., Aug. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of the company's first Week of Service, Allstate is partnering with Feeding America and local food banks to help fund nearly 240,000 meals to families at risk of hunger. The Week of Service, running from August 6-10, also includes hundreds of employee-led volunteer efforts across the country aimed at supporting local communities through non-profit organizations.

'Allstate has a powerful tradition of volunteerism inspired every day by more than 70,000 passionate employees– many who lead Helping Hands Committees that coordinate volunteer opportunities throughout the country and, throughout the year,' said Vicky Dinges, vice president of public social responsibility with Allstate. 'Not only are we excited to launch our first ever week of service, we're grateful to do so with our partner, Feeding America.  These volunteer projects will touch thousands of people, deliver hundreds of thousands of meals and make a meaningful impact in our communities.'

'Our partnership with Allstate has helped millions of Americans when they need a helping hand the most – often during a catastrophe,' stated Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America. 'Allstate and Feeding America have a tradition of helping prepare and protect our communities, and this week of volunteer events is a natural extension of that tradition and commitment.'

In addition to the meal delivery effort, Allstate employees were also challenged to submit a service project in partnership with a local nonprofit organization that would benefit their community. Employee volunteers who submitted project ideas were given a $500 grant to their partnering nonprofit organization to help complete the work. In total, $80,000was awarded on behalf of Allstate employees to nonprofit organizations.

Outside of Week of Service, Allstate honors the community service of its employees with grant programs that provide financial support to the nonprofits they serve. In 2011, The Allstate Foundation supported the volunteerism of employees and agency owners with more than $2 million in grants to local nonprofit organizations.

To learn more about Allstate's volunteerism programs, visit www.allstate.com/socialresponsibility.

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer, serving approximately 16 million households through its Allstate, Encompass, Esurance and Answer Financial brand names. Widely known by its slogan 'You're In Good Hands With Allstate^®,' Allstate offers insurance products (auto, home, life and retirement) and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives, as well as via www.allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate^®. As part of Allstate's commitment to strengthen local communities, The Allstate Foundation, Allstate employees, agency owners and the corporation provided $28 million in 2011 to thousands of nonprofit organizations and important causes across the United States.

Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity, our network members supply food to more than 37 million Americans each year, including 14 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks support 61,000 agencies that address hunger in all of its forms. For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community and across the country, visit http://www.feedingamerica.org. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow our news on Twitter at twitter.com/FeedingAmerica