National Life Group Presents Preservation Hall Jazz Band to Benefit the Vermont Foodbank

For Immediate Release

August 5, 2009

Media Contact:

Judy Stermer, Vermont Foodbank

802-477-4108

Barre, VT-For nearly half a century, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band (PHJB) has brought the sounds and soul of New Orleans to audiences worldwide. On October 9th, National Life Group brings the PHJB to the stage of the Flynn Center in Burlington, Vermont to benefit the Vermont Foodbank.

The Preservation Hall Jazz Band derives its name from Preservation Hall, the venerable music venue located in the heart of New Orleans' French Quarter, founded in 1961 by Allan and Sandra Jaffe. The band has traveled worldwide spreading its mission to nurture and perpetuate the art form of New Orleans Jazz. Whether performing at Carnegie Hall or Lincoln Center, for British Royalty or the King of Thailand, their music embodies a joyful, timeless spirit.

"We are so grateful to National Life Group for their commitment of support for the Preservation Hall Jazz Band benefit concert," said John Sayles, CEO of the Vermont Foodbank.  "Now more than ever, the Foodbank and our partners throughout the state are looking to businesses to not only draw attention to the issue of hunger in Vermont, but also to support the fight against hunger in a very significant way.  National Life Group has again stepped up to the plate to support an effort that will raise vital funds to provide food for Vermonters in need of food help." 

"The Vermont Foodbank has been serving Vermont since 1986, but at no time has its services been more critical than today," said Mehran Assadi, president and chief executive officer of National Life Group. "Making sure no Vermont family goes hungry takes dedication, initiative, innovation and energy - and the Vermont Foodbank sets the standards in those areas. This concert brings a great jazz band to Vermont while raising money that directly benefits the Vermont Foodbank."

Tickets go on sale Friday, August 7, 2009 at 9AM.  For tickets, visit http://www.flynntix.com/

###

About National Life Group

National Life Group, a Fortune 1000 company, has been headquartered in Vermont since 1848 and offers an array of financial products. National Life takes seriously its debt to Vermont for 160 years of support and donates through the National Life Charitable Foundation to nonprofits that provide Vermonters with homes, heat, health, education, the arts, and recreation.

About Vermont Foodbank, Inc.

Vermont Foodbank is the state's largest hunger-relief organization, serving communities in all 14 counties of Vermont through a network of 270 food pantries, soup kitchen, shelters, senior centers and after-school programs. Last year, the Vermont Foodbank distributed nearly 6.5 million pounds of food to the more than 66,000 needy Vermonters who request charitable food assistance.  The Vermont Foodbank, a member of Feeding America, is nationally recognized as one of the most effective and efficient nonprofits and food banks in the nation.  For facts and figures on hunger and poverty, to sign-up to receive our newsletter, to find a food shelf in your community, and to learn about the Federal Nutrition Programs, visit us on the web at http://www.vtfoodbank.org/