INDIANAPOLIS – The World Trade Center (WTC) Harbin yesterday donated more than 2,000 pounds of rice to Feeding Indiana's Hungry to be distributed to food banks around Indiana. The donation commemorates the first anniversary of a global trade agreement between WTC Harbin and WTC Indianapolis. Visitors from WTC Harbin and WTC Indianapolis were on hand as the rice was delivered to Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana for holding and distribution to Feeding Indiana's Hungry eleven member food banks who serve all 92 Indiana counties.

"We are thankful for this donation of rice from WTC Harbin that was facilitated by our friends at WTC Indianapolis. The agricultural community globally recognizes hunger is a significant problem and we appreciate their engagement to help alleviate hunger in Indiana. This staple will be distributed through our network to help alleviate the hunger of nearly one million Hoosiers who are at risk of hunger," said Emily Weikert Bryant, Executive Director of Feeding Indiana's Hungry.

“This gift of a tonne of WuChang rice, a premium agricultural product from Harbin in Heilongjiang Province, marks the one year anniversary of the official inking of the MOU between our two world trade centers. Having achieved some major milestones during the course of our very active partnership, we are looking to further deepen our relationships here in Indianapolis and consequently contribute to the growth of global agribusinesses,” said Steven Lo, Executive Director, World Trade Center Harbin.

“We at the World Trade Center Indianapolis are grateful for the strong partnership that has developed with the World Trade Center Harbin over the last several years. The gift of this premium rice to support Indiana’s effort to fill the gap for underserved Hoosiers is a tangible and real symbol of the deepening cultural and economic ties between Indiana and Harbin,” said Doris Anne Sadler, President & CEO, World Trade Center Indianapolis.​

“I was thrilled to preside over the signing of the MOU between World Trade Center Indianapolis and World Trade Center Harbin last year, and am beyond thrilled to see the partnership is continuing to grow and thrive. This donation of rice will help feed countless Hoosiers throughout the state, and further advance the relationship between the two entities," said Indiana Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch.