Tyson to Offer Hurricane Survivors Jobs, Relocation Assistance

Tyson to Offer Hurricane Survivors Jobs, Relocation Assistance

SPRINGDALE, Ark., Sept. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Tyson Foods, Inc., (NYSE:TSN), has taken the lead in the growing chorus of corporate philanthropy for the survivors of Hurricane Katrina by offering hundreds of jobs and more than $1 million in food and financial donations.

The company made the announcement last week during the live Black Entertainment Television S.O.S. (Saving OurSelves) Telethon in New York where National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial and a bevy of music and entertainment superstars, led by hip hop moguls Russell Simmons, Sean "P. Diddy" Combs and Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter helped raise more than $10 million during the three-hour event.

Tyson, the world's largest producer of chicken, beef and pork, has established a toll-free telephone number for hurricane evacuees interested in seeking employment in production, maintenance, management and management support positions throughout the country. The company has also offered to provide relocation assistance to those who are hired. People seeking employment may call 1.800.424.9675 (WORK) between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or visit http://www.tysonfoodsinc.com/.

"We're saddened by the devastation left by this powerful storm and have joined others across the country in the effort to help those people whose lives have been disrupted," said John Tyson, chairman and CEO of Tyson Foods. "This disaster especially hits home to us, since those affected include thousands of Tyson Team Members who live in Mississippi."

Tyson Foods operates more than 100 processing plants in 23 states, including Kansas and Nebraska, as well as southern states such as Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia.

Tyson has already begun interviewing job candidates at state employment offices in Houston and Dallas, Texas, as well as company employment offices in Houston, Dallas; Carthage, Mississippi and Springdale, Arkansas. Tyson is also working through organizations such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Red Cross, the National Urban League and state workforce development offices to let people know the company has jobs available.

"We applaud Tyson for their compassion towards so many who have suffered through the Hurricane Katrina disaster," Morial said. "We stand ready to work together, where possible, in helping rebuild not only homes and businesses, but most importantly, lives of those who so desperately need our help."

Applicants who are hired will be offered relocation assistance, including transportation to the job location as well as temporary housing. Additional assistance may also be provided, depending upon the job location.

"We're hopeful our ongoing relief efforts and our offer of employment will help rebuild the lives of some of the many people who've been affected by the hurricane," said Shawn Coker, Tyson's vice president of diversity business practices.

Tyson's generosity was matched during the telethon with donations from BET founder Bob Johnson, who donated $1 million, which was matched by the network's parent Viacom. Microsoft founders Bill and Melinda Gates, the Service Employees International Union (1199 SEIU), Combs and Jay-Z also gave a million apiece. Crunk rapper Lil' Jon offered $250,000 from his Crunk Juice beverage company.

Minister T.D. Jakes, Queen Latifah, Potter House, Simmons and his wife, Kimora Lee; and Tyson all donated $100,000 to the Red Cross' relief fund during the event hosted by comedian Steve Harvey and singer and actress Latifah.

Tyson is providing truckloads of pre-cooked and shelf-stable meats and will match Team Member financial donations dollar for dollar. The contributions will go to assist the relief efforts of the Salvation Army and American Red Cross. The Salvation Army is reportedly preparing to serve up to 500,000 hot meals per day to affected residents and first responders, while the Red Cross has mobilized thousands of volunteers to provide assistance.

Tyson has already donated food for relief efforts in Forest and Vicksburg, Mississippi, where the company operates poultry plants and has also sent a truckload of product to Jackson. The company has also donated truckloads of water, food and even a mobile kitchen for a disaster relief group in others parts of Mississippi and Louisiana, Coker said.

Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN), founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is the world's largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef, and pork and the second-largest food company in the Fortune 500. The company produces a wide variety of protein-based and prepared food products, which are marketed under the "Powered by Tyson(TM)" strategy. Tyson is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves, providing products and service to customers throughout the United States and more than 80 countries. Tyson has approximately 114,000 Team Members employed at more than 300 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world.

Source: Tyson Foods, Inc.

CONTACT: Gary Mickelson of Tyson Foods, Inc., +1-479-290-6111; or Alonza Robertson, +1-202-390-8521, for Tyson Foods, Inc.

Web site: http://www.tysonfoodsinc.com/

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