LAS VEGAS, Nov. 25, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Employees of MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) donated more than 154,000 pounds of food to Three Square Food Bank in the continuous effort by MGM employees to extend the staff of life to food insecure residents this holiday season.

The food was collected during the company's sixth annual food drive. MGM Resorts employees gave rice, flour, beans, cereal, canned meats and other food items that Three Square will use to feed the 137,000 local individuals served monthly through its approximately 1,300 community partners. Experts estimate that about 15.8 percent of the population, or more than 305,000 Southern Nevada residents, are food insecure.

According to research provided by Three Square, food insecurity happens when a household is forced to short its food budget, the most flexible area of spending that a struggling household may have, in favor of paying rent or mortgage payments, healthcare costs, transportation expenses and utility bills.

"This holiday season, many lives will be touched by the outpouring of generosity from MGM Resorts and their selfless, hardworking employees," said Brian Burton, President and CEO of Three Square. "This donation will make a large impact on the fight against hunger in our community. Our longstanding partnership with MGM Resorts has been an asset to our organization, and we are deeply grateful for their commitment to ending hunger in our community."

"The 62,000 employees of MGM Resorts International are committed to helping our community members who don't have the resources to regularly put food on their tables," said Jim Murren, Chairman & CEO of MGM Resorts International. "We're proud to join with Three Square to combat hunger in our community."

Three Square is a member of Feeding America, the largest hunger relief agency in the United States. Feeding America affiliates last year provided more than 3.3 billion meals to 46 million food insecure people across the nation.

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 standing community service provided by the company's employees.

About Three Square Food Bank

Established in 2007 to provide hunger relief, Three Square Food Bank offers wholesome, nutritious food to nonprofit 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, nonprofit agencies, food distributors, higher education institutions, the Clark County School District, governmental entities, the media and thousands of volunteers to efficiently and effectively work together to serve those in our community struggling with hunger. Three Square currently provides more than 34 million pounds of food and grocery product - the equivalent of more than 28 million meals - per year to more than 1,300 community 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 Facebook and follow them on Instagram and 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 is developing a gaming resort in Cotai, and 50 percent of CityCenter in Las Vegas, which features ARIA Resort & 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