OMAHA, Neb., March 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- With one in four
American children struggling with hunger, ConAgra Foods® (NYSE:
CAG), in partnership with Feeding America®, is asking consumers to
act now by taking part in a new initiative to fight child hunger.
ConAgra Foods' Child Hunger Ends Here™ campaign is designed to draw
attention to child hunger in the United
States and provide consumers with simple ways to help end
it. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 17.2 million
children are at risk of hunger across the nation in communities
that include rural towns; suburban neighborhoods and urban centers
– making it clear that hunger is a reality for many Americans.
(Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110302/CG57334)
Child Hunger Ends Here brings together some of ConAgra Foods'
best known brands as part of the largest cause-marketing program in
the company's history. Highlighted by a multi-brand packaging
promotion, the airing of a broadcast special on NBC and online and
social media extensions, the comprehensive campaign extends ConAgra
Foods' long-standing commitment to ending child hunger in
America.
"ConAgra Foods believes no child in the United States should face the risk of
hunger," said Gary Rodkin, CEO of
ConAgra Foods. "Our hope is that people from around the country
will lend their support to the Child Hunger Ends Here campaign and
help us in our quest to donate enough money so that Feeding America
can purchase another 2.5 million meals this year. This is in
addition to our donations that help provide more than 1 million
meals per month each year."
Last year the Child Hunger Ends Here campaign generated 2.5
million meals and brought together thousands of people in support
of Feeding America as well as the more than 200 member food banks
and 63,000 related agencies that rely on Feeding America's
services. The campaign builds on a commitment by ConAgra Foods and
the ConAgra Foods Foundation to end child hunger, which has
resulted in donations of more than 250 million pounds of food to
Feeding America since 1993. ConAgra Foods and the ConAgra Foods
Foundation have also donated $35
million to Feeding America, including a recent five-year,
$10 million pledge from the ConAgra
Foods Foundation, the largest donation ever made to Feeding America
specifically to fight child hunger.
There are a number of ways to get involved and support the
cause, including:
- Go Grocery Shopping – From March through May 2011, ConAgra Foods will embark on its
largest branded initiative to fight child hunger in the United States. Consumers can purchase
select ConAgra Foods brands and, when they enter their code online,
the company will donate one meal to Feeding America – up to 2.5
million meals this during the time period.* Visit
www.childhungerendshere.com and enter the eight-digit purchase code
found on specially marked packages. Participating brands include:
Banquet, Chef Boyardee, Healthy Choice, Fresh Mixers, Kid Cuisine,
Marie Callender's and Peter Pan.
Every code entered is another meal that ConAgra Foods will enable
Feeding America to secure through local food banks. Codes on
specially marked packages can be redeemed through August 2011.
- Text to Donate – Consumers can make a financial
contribution to Feeding America through a mobile giving campaign.
Simply text "FEEDKIDS" to 50555 to make a $10 donation directly to Feeding America through
June 30, 2011.
- Watch the Special – On March
19 in select markets**, "Child Hunger Ends Here: A Special
Report," a 30-minute special hosted by Al
Roker with Natalie Morales,
will premiere on NBC highlighting the personal stories of families
struggling with hunger and showcasing how Americans can work
together to tackle this issue. Check local listings for viewing
times. During the special, viewers can also participate in an
online event that will shed additional light on the child hunger
issue. By following #ChildHungerEndsHere on Twitter during the
broadcast, participants can ask questions from an expert panel, as
well as learn about ways to get involved. In addition, a series of
PSAs will run in select markets highlighting key child hunger
issues and the text to donate program.
- Spread the Word – Individuals can get more information
on the child hunger issue by following ConAgra Foods on Facebook
and Twitter. When you become a fan at
facebook.com/ConAgraFoods, you can see how your donations are
making a difference and share your own photos and stories. You can
also follow the issue and get the latest information at
twitter.com/ConAgraFoods.
"ConAgra Foods is a longtime, committed partner of Feeding
America and we are incredibly grateful for the ongoing dedication
to fighting domestic child hunger," said Vicki Escarra, President and CEO of Feeding
America. "With one in four children across the nation
struggling with hunger, we are in crisis right now. No American
should go hungry, and we thank ConAgra Foods for joining us in that
belief and for raising awareness and support for Feeding
America."
About ConAgra Foods:
ConAgra Foods, Inc., (NYSE: CAG) is one of North America's leading food companies, with
brands in 97 percent of America's households. Consumers find
Banquet, Chef Boyardee, Egg Beaters, Healthy Choice, Hebrew
National, Hunt's, Marie Callender's,
Orville Redenbacher's, PAM, Peter
Pan, Reddi-wip and many ConAgra Foods brands in grocery,
convenience, mass merchandise and club stores. ConAgra Foods also
has a strong business-to-business presence, supplying frozen potato
and sweet potato products as well as other vegetable, spice and
grain products to a variety of well-known restaurants, foodservice
operators and commercial customers. For more information, please
visit us at www.conagrafoods.com.
About Feeding America:
Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families
with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation's leading
domestic hunger-relief charity, our network members supply food to
more than 37 million Americans each year, including 14 million
children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks
support 63,000 agencies that address hunger in all of its forms.
For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community
and across the country, visit www.feedingamerica.org. Find us on
Facebook at facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow our news on
Twitter at twitter.com/FeedingAmerica.
* When consumers activate their purchase online at
www.childhungerendshere.com and enter an eight digit
code, a monetary donation will be made enabling one meal to be
secured by Feeding America on behalf of local food banks, up to a
maximum of 2.5 million meals for codes entered through 8/31/11.
Valid in US only. $1 donated = 7
meals secured by Feeding America on behalf of local food
banks.
**Markets include Chicago,
Dallas, Hartford, Los
Angeles, Miami,
New York, Omaha, Philadelphia, San
Diego, San Francisco and
Washington, D.C.
SOURCE ConAgra Foods