Citizens Bank, Phillies & Sandberg Family launch 2015 Phans Feeding Families summer hunger relief program

PHILADELPHIA - Citizens Bank and the Philadelphia Phillies, in partnership with Phillies Manager Ryne Sandberg and his wife, Margaret, and Phillies sponsors, today announced the 2015 Phans Feeding Families program. As part of the program, Citizens Bank presented a check for $40,000 to Philabundance, the region's largest hunger relief organization. Now in its fifth year, the initiative will raise money and collect food to feed those who are at risk of hunger.

"There are nearly one million people facing food insecurity in the Delaware Valley and initiatives like Phans Feeding Families help us drive hunger from our communities," said Susan Fink, Chief Development Officer at Philabundance. "We are so grateful to the Phillies and Citizens Bank for this partnership, which, last year alone, provided nearly 125,000 meals to help feed our neighbors in need."

To support Philabundance and the 2015 Phans Feeding Families campaign, fans can:

• Buy a limited-edition Phans Feeding Families pin. Pre-orders are now available for purchase online at philabundance.org/phanspins. Fans will also be able to purchase the pin starting June 20 at the Majestic Clubhouse Store and Phillies NewsStands at Citizens Bank Park. Each $5 pin provides 6 meals for families in need.

• Attend the Phans Feeding Families Day on Saturday, June 20, when the Phillies take on the St. Louis Cardinals at 7:05 p.m. With each Phans Feeding Families Theme Night Ticket purchased at www.phillies.com/feedingfamilies, $8 is donated to Philabundance, putting 16 meals on the table for those in need. 

• In addition to purchasing a Phans Feeding Families Theme Night Ticket, fans may also support the cause by participating in the following on Phans Feeding Families Day, Saturday, June 20 at Citizens Bank Park:
  • Take part in the Phillies Charities 50/50 Raffle, where a portion of the proceeds will benefit Philabundance.
  • Bid on exclusive merchandise and VIP experiences - including a breakfast with the Phillie Phanatic - through a silent auction at the First Base Plaza.
  • Bring a donation of non-perishable food. Recommended items include plastic jars of peanut butter and jelly, canned tuna and pasta.

• Make an online monetary donation to the campaign through www.Philabundance.org.

• Fans can also donate food at Citizens Bank Park during the ShopRite Partners in Caring Food Drive on Saturday, June 6 and the Goya Latino Family Celebration & Food Drive on Friday, August 28.

Complete program details are available at phillies.com/feedingfamilies. Fans may also help with the cause by following @Phillies on Twitter, using #PhansFeed.

To lead off the program, the Citizens Bank is donating $100,000 to organizations throughout eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware that provide hunger relief, nutrition assistance and improve access to food for families. Of this commitment, $40,000 will support Philabundance, the region's largest hunger relief organization and Phans Feeding Families beneficiary. The Citizens Bank grant will provide the first 80,000 meals to the 2015 Phans Feeding Families campaign.

"Phans Feeding Families has been a tremendous success over the past few years, helping Philabundance and other local hunger relief programs to provide food for families during the summer months," said Daniel K. Fitzpatrick, President of Citizens Bank for Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. At Citizens Bank, we are dedicated to making a difference in the communities we serve. We are proud to partner with the Philadelphia Phillies to raise money and awareness for Philabundance."

We are proud to once again partner with the Phillies to raise money and collect food for families in need throughout the Greater Philadelphia Region," said Daniel K. Fitzpatrick, President of Citizens Bank in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. "Phans Feeding Families has been a tremendous success over the past few years helping Philabundance and other local hunger relief programs to service families during the summer months when there is an increased demand for food. At Citizens Bank, we are dedicated to making a difference in the communities we serve."

"One million people go hungry every day. It's a staggering amount - and it's an issue that my wife, Margaret, and I are passionate about," said Ryne Sandberg, Phillies Manager. "The fight against hunger must continue, and we urge fans to support the Phans Feeding Families initiative to help Philabundance provide meals to those in need."

In addition to Citizens Bank, several Phillies sponsors and advertisers support hunger relief efforts and will participate in the 2015 campaign. They include: Aramark, Goya Foods, Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, Hatfield, SEPTA, ShopRite, Sunoco and Toyota.

"The region's hunger problem is a big one," said Dave Buck, Phillies Senior Vice President. "No one should go to bed hungry, which is why the Phans Feeding Families initiative is so important. With the support of our corporate partners, our fans and the Sandbergs - we hope to bring hunger relief to the region and make a difference."

About Citizens Financial Group, Inc.

Citizens Financial Group, Inc. is one of the nation's oldest and largest financial institutions, with $136.5 billion in assets as of March 31, 2015. Headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, Citizens offers a broad range of retail and commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, large corporations and institutions. In Consumer Banking, Citizens helps its retail customers "bank better" with mobile and online banking, a 24/7 customer contact center and the convenience of approximately 3,200 ATMs and approximately 1,200 Citizens Bank branches in 11 states in the New England, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions. Citizens also provides mortgage lending, auto lending, student lending and commercial banking services in select markets nationwide. In Commercial Banking, Citizens offers corporate, institutional and not-for-profit clients a full range of wholesale banking products and services including lending and deposits, capital markets, treasury services, foreign exchange and interest hedging, leasing and asset finance, specialty finance and trade finance.

Citizens operates through its subsidiaries Citizens Bank, N.A., and Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania. Additional information about Citizens and its full line of products and services can be found at www.citizensbank.com.

About Philabundance

Philabundance reduces hunger and food insecurity in the Delaware Valley by providing food access to people in need in partnership with organizations and individuals. Philabundance provides a full plate of services through neighborhood distribution programs and a network of approximately 400 member agencies. Philabundance serves more than 75,000 people per week in nine counties in PA and NJ. In 2013, Philabundance distributed nearly 30 million pounds of food to help feed those in need. For more information about Philabundance, visit www.philabundance.org or call 215-339-0900.