LAS VEGAS, Nov. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Employees of MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) donated more than 1.6 million pounds of food to Three Square Food Bank this holiday season in one of the largest single-city food drives in the nation.

Three Square reported that MGM Resorts employees donated 1,610,461 pounds of food during the company's fifth annual October food drive. Company employees well-exceeded last year's donation of 922,161 pounds, setting a new record for the largest amount of food received in a single donation by Three Square. This unprecedented donation will provide 1,342,050 meals to the nearly 137,000 individuals Three Square serves monthly through its approximately 1,300 community partners. Experts estimate that 315,000 Las Vegas valley residents are food insecure.

"We cannot thank MGM Resorts and their hardworking employees enough for all they have accomplished this holiday season," said Brian Burton, President and CEO of Three Square. "This is by far the most we have ever received in a single donation and I know the people in our community we serve each day will be so grateful to receive this support. Our partnership with MGM Resorts proves that by coming together, we can solve the hunger problem in Southern Nevada."

"In this season of giving there is no greater way we at MGM Resorts can show our allegiance with our community than by joining with Three Square to combat food insecurity in our midst," said Jim Murren, Chairman & CEO of MGM Resorts International. "I am extremely proud of the generosity demonstrated by my wonderful colleagues and hope we will continue breaking records with our Three Square donations until no one in our community suffers the pain of hunger."

Three Square is a member of Feeding America, the largest hunger relief agency in the United States. Feeding America reported that the results of MGM Resorts' food drive make it one of the largest in the nation based on quarterly reports from its 200 affiliates. Feeding America affiliates last year provided more than three billion pounds of food and groceries to food insecure families across the nation.

MGM Resorts and Three Square celebrated the record-breaking donation with a special ceremony today at the Three Square warehouse where the donations will be housed until distribution. MGM Resorts properties and corporate operations in Las Vegas vied in a friendly competition with the winning entity selected by calculating the number of pounds donated per employee. MGM Resorts' corporate division employees won this year's competition by their donation of 146.18 pounds of food per employee.

In addition to its annual food drive, MGM Resorts supports Three Square's efforts year round through its corporate giving program, The MGM Resorts Foundation, and the employee volunteer program. In 2010, the "MGM Resorts Volunteer Room" at Three Square was created to recognize the continuous support provided by the company.

About Three Square Food Bank
Established in 2007 to provide hunger relief, Three Square Food Bank offers wholesome, nutritious food to non-profit and faith-based organizations, schools and feeding sites that serve a wide range of Southern Nevadans. A national model project inspired by Founder Eric Hilton with a grant provided by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Three Square is a community collaborative partnership with businesses, non-profit agencies, food distributors, higher education institutions, the Clark County School District, governmental entities, the media and thousands of volunteers to efficiently and effectively serve hope to those in our community struggling with hunger. Three Square currently provides more than 30 million pounds of food and grocery product – the equivalent of more than 25 million meals – per year to more than 600 Program Partners. Three Square is a member of the Feeding America network of food banks. For additional information visit www.threesquare.org. For the latest news and events on Three Square, visit www.facebook.com/ThreeSquareFoodBank and follow them on Instagram (@threesquarelv) as well as Twitter (@threesquarelv).

About MGM Resorts International
MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is one of the world's leading global hospitality companies, operating a portfolio of destination resort brands including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage. The Company is in the process of developing MGM National Harbor in Maryland and MGM Springfield in Massachusetts.  The Company also owns 51 percent of MGM China Holdings Limited, which owns the MGM Macau resort and casino and developing a gaming resort in Cotai, and 50 percent of CityCenter in Las Vegas, which features Aria resort and casino. For more information about MGM Resorts International, visit the Company's website at www.mgmresorts.com.

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SOURCE MGM Resorts International