LEWISTON WOODVILLE – Friends helping friends.

That’s what happened earlier this week when Perdue came to the rescue of the Bertie County Family Resource Center.

Jeff Stalls, director of operations at Perdue’s Lewiston chicken processing plant, presented a check for $35,000 to Vivian Saunders, Director of the Resource Center and One Economy Community Engagement Officer.

“Perdue has truly been a member of the Bertie County family,” Saunders said. “They are the valued friend that is always there for you when you need them most.

“This has been a challenging economic time for Bertie County residents and we could not continue to provide services without the tireless commitment and support of socially responsible corporations like Perdue,” she added.

Located at 108 South Main Street in Lewiston, the mission of the Bertie County Family Resource Center is to strengthen families and communities by providing access to information, resources and program services that support and improve the lives of the community’s parents, children and youth.

The Center works on an asset-based model, which works on people’s strengths rather than defining them by their deficiencies. It utilizes the resources it is provided in a multifaceted approach to community building.

Services include technical training, food and nutrition education, afterschool homework help and GED instruction.

It receives support from One Economy, a nonprofit organization that operates some of the center’s programs and opened the onsite technology center.

Saunders said Perdue has been a part of that mission for 20 years as they have provided funding as well as poultry donations to the Center.

For the past three years, Perdue has given $25,000 per year for the Center’s operation and then provided an additional $35,000 in emergency funding this year.

Saunders said the Center lost funding that had been provided by the Bertie County Board of Education due to budget constraints. She added that Perdue’s grant, which came from the Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, will help them continue work while grants are sought.

“The Bertie County Family Resource Center provides valuable services to people across the county, including our associates,” Stalls said. “We’re pleased to provide a $35,000 grant to help the Center staff continue its good work. This is an opportunity for Perdue to give back to the community of which we are a part.”

Since 1996, the Lewiston Plant has helped support the Resource Center as well as One Economy’s alternative School, the Hive. Perdue associates have donated an Angel Tree to the Hive, providing holiday gifts to families in need. Perdue associates also recently held a doughnut sale, which raised $800 for the center. Over the last four years, Perdue, through the Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, has provided financial support for the Resource Center.

About The Bertie County Family Resource Center

The Bertie County Family Resource Center provides support to families and their children to remove barriers that may lead to the neglect and abuse of children. Their mission is to strengthen families by providing opportunities for them to improve job skills and provide a safe and stable environment for children while their parents are working. For more information about the Bertie County Family Resource Center, contact Vivian Saunders at (252) 348-2010.

About One Economy

One Economy is a global nonprofit organization that uses innovative approaches to deliver the power of technology and information to low-income people. More than 19 million people have used One Economy’s online tools and resources, including the Public Internet Channel (http://www.pic.tv), to build better lives. One Economy has launched on-the-ground programs in 42 U.S. states, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.

About Perdue and the Arthur. W. Perdue Foundation

PERDUE^® is the No. 1 brand of fresh chicken in the Eastern United States.

Ranked as the third largest poultry company, Perdue Incorporated is a leading international food and agriculture business providing quality products and services to customers in more than 100 countries.

Privately held and family-run for three generations, the company employs more than 21,000 associates and partners with more than 2,200 independent farm families — all of whom share in the commitment to quality that has guided the company since its founding in 1920.

The Arthur W. Perdue Foundation is a tax-exempt charitable foundation established in 1957 by the founder of Perdue Incorporated. Grants are distributed for the improvement of life in the community through support of the arts, community development, education, health, human services and youth activities. For more information, contact Luis A. Luna, vice president of Corporate Communications, at 410-341-2533 or visit www.perdue.com.