Annual Christmas In July Food Drive For St. Mary's Food Bank Kicks Off Ahern and Associates Rallies

Online, July 25, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Phoenix, AZ, - An astounding 45 million people on food stamps coupled with a stagnant economic recovery and an 8.2% unemployment rate has had a lasting impact on St. Mary's Food Bank's reserves. As a result, Andy Ahern, CEO of Ahern and Associates, Ltd. has re-launched his "Christmas in July" food drive to benefit St. Mary's Food Bank-the nation's first and largest food bank.

What has now become a bi-annual tradition, Ahern and his staff calls upon his extensive base of clients and friends across the country within the transportation industry to raise money for one of the country's most efficient charitable organizations. For every $1.00 the food bank collects, .96 cents goes back to the community and translates into $7.00 worth of food which places St. Mary's Food Bank in the top 1% of all charities in the country. Thanks to their hard working staff and drove of dedicated volunteers, 90% of the aide provided goes to feed families with small children and the elderly.

Established in 1967, St. Mary's Food Bank has been the recipient of Ahern's food drives for twelve years, largely because of the remarkable job they do in supporting the hungry and elderly, as well as the high standards St. Mary's adheres to as a non-profit.

As a result of Ahern's annual food drives and through the generosity of his supporters, he has collectively raised well over $1,000,000 in food for St. Mary's Food Bank over the past twelve years. Unfortunately, hunger is an everyday issue for many Americans, with the situation only growing worse.

To date, an unfortunate 1 in 4 children are now going to bed hungry in neighborhoods across the country tonight. In addition, Ahern urges the public to consider the following, staggering statistics:

* 1 in 7 households are food insecure - this is the number highest number ever recorded in the US.

* 1/3 of the food in insecure households had very low food security.

* To date, 46.9 million people are in poverty, up from 37.3 million in 2007

* T he poverty rate is 15.1%, up from 12.5% in 1997

* 1.5MM older Americans have already lost their homes to the Great Recession.

* Approximately 600,000 people who are 50yrs or older are currently in foreclosure.

* The poverty rate increase for children under 18yrs old has increased from 20.7% to 22%, and 20.5 million American's now live in extreme poverty. This means that these families' cash income is less than half of the poverty level or about $10K a year for a family of four.

* An astounding 49.9 million people or 16.3% of the American population do not have medical insurance.

All of these statistics mean that since the recent financial catastrophes that have taken place, there is an increase of 3,000,000 or more people who are now considered poor in this country. The percentage of children, in poverty is also 27.7% of that total population.

Ahern's supporters range from the 1-2 carrier operations up to some of the largest publicly held transportation companies in the country. Ritually, no matter the current state of transportation, Ahern's colleagues answer the bell--often times surpassing expectations.

"Every year we call upon the transportation industry for their support, and every year they surprise us. Even through some of the harshest times in the industry, those companies who transport food on a daily basis across the country go the extra mile with considerable financial contributions," remarked Ahern.

"Summer is always a difficult time for food banks. As demand rises with the temperatures, our supplies decline as many donors head to cooler destinations," said Beverly Damore, President and CEO of St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance. "We are so grateful to committed and consistent partners of St. Mary's like Ahern & Associates and Andy Ahern that help the Food Bank to continue to provide the hungry of Arizona with hope all summer long."

Those who wish to further Ahern's cause and make a direct contribution can send donations to the following address:

St. Mary's Food Bank
C/o Ahern & Associates, Ltd
2198 E. Camelback Rd. Suite 210
Phoenix, AZ 85016

About Ahern & Associates, Ltd.:
Ahern and Associates is North America's leading trucking and transportation management consulting firm. The skilled consultants at Ahern and Associates specialize in mergers and acquisitions of trucking and logistics companies as well as the restructuring and evaluation of existing carriers that seek to increase operating efficiency and improve profitability. Since 1987, Ahern and Associates has aided hundreds of buyers in the acquisition of trucking and logistics companies throughout the U.S. and Canada as well as assisting many transportation and logistics companies in reducing their overall operating costs and increasing their profitability. For more information, please call 602-242-1030 or visit http://www.Ahern-Ltd.com

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Business contact:
A.W. Ahern
602-242-1030

Media contact:
Jason W. Jantzen
Phoenix Marketing Associates
http://www.PhoenixMarketingAssociates.com
602-282-0202