By DANIEL SUDDEATH
Food banks and charities in New Albany will be boosted with the donation of 50,000 Michelina’s frozen entrees.
The announcement was made Tuesday by the Lois and Jeno Paulucci Family Foundation, owners of Bellisio Foods, Inc. — the company that makes Michelina’s meals.
The company is associated with New Albany-based Kemper Foods International, which recently received tax abatements from the state and a loan endorsement from the city after introducing its plans to expand and create 350 new jobs by 2012.
In a news release, Jeno Paulucci said he offered to donate a semi-trailer containing more than 4,000 cases of frozen entrees to New Albany “as a token of our gratitude and thanks for the cooperation of Mayor Doug England, the city of New Albany and the state of Indiana with Kemper Foods International.”
“We are pleased to supply these 50,000 dinners to patrons of the New Albany area food banks,” Paulucci said.
England and his administration have been working with Paulucci — respected as a tycoon in the frozen food business — on an approximately 100,000 square-foot plant in New Albany.
“Here’s a man that’s going to end up being a great corporate citizen, like so many we already have,” England said of Paulucci.
“He’s a generous man. Because of this donation we’re going to feed some hungry people.”
England chose the Salvation Army to manage giving out the meals to needy residents and organizations in New Albany. City workers will help unload the cases Tuesday, and England requested they be distributed in Floyd and Clark counties as needed.
“We’re looking to help every food kitchen within our range,” England said.
