CAMDEN, N.J., Dec 17, 2003 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Campbell Donates $1 Million to the Salvation Army to help fight child hunger
Campbell Soup Company (NYSE:CPB) today announced a $1 million donation to the Salvation Army to help address the issue of child hunger in America. According to the Salvation Army, approximately 13 million children in America are hungry or at hunger risk. One in four people in a soup kitchen line is a child. Campbell will donate $10,000 to the Salvation Army in the name of 100 celebrity honorary Campbell Kids to assist children affected by or dealing with hunger. For more than 100 years, Campbell’s soups have been a favorite of kids across America.
The all-star roster of celebrities includes musicians Tim McGraw and Amy Grant, actor Peter Graves, NBC Today’s weatherman Al Roker, Olympic gold medalist figure skater Sarah Hughes, performer/choreographer Savion Glover, New York Giants’ defensive end Michael Strahan, Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback Donovan McNabb, hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, baseball pitcher and five time Cy Young award winner Randy Johnson.
“While millions of children look forward to the holiday season, millions more are simply looking to find their next meal. Hunger in America is something that continues to be a major issue, and is something that we should all remember as we take part in this season of giving,” said Jeremy Fingerman, President, U.S. Soup.
The donation to the Salvation Army builds on Campbell’s commitment to hunger relief. Campbell has been a sponsor of the annual Stamp Out Hunger! food drive with the National Association of Letter Carriers, the largest single-day food drive in the United States. The Stamp Out Hunger! campaign has raised more than 525 million pounds of food for the needy since its inception in 1992. Campbell kicked off this year’s drive with a donation of one million pounds of food.
Since 1997, Campbell and the National Football League have been working together to tackle hunger with food banks across the U.S. This season alone, Campbell will donate more than 5 million cans of soup to food banks nationwide and hopes to add to that mark with additional events planned around the Super Bowl.
Starting on December 17, more than 20,000 Salvation Army volunteers nationwide participating in the holiday donation kettle drive will hand out Campbell’s thank you cards to people who donate money to the cause. The card invites people to visit www.campbellkids.com to participate in a Campbell Kid matching game. Consumers can match the childhood photo with the current photo of 100 celebrities and earn a chance to win a trip to Washington, D.C. They can also make a donation to the Salvation Army if they choose to.
“I am honored to be a part of this program that helps to raise awareness for child hunger,” said Tim McGraw. “We live in the most prosperous nation in the world, so people may not understand the seriousness or the depth of the issue in our own back yard.”
Each year, Salvation Army Red Kettles serve as collection stations around the nation beginning the day after Thanksgiving, continuing through Christmas Eve. Donations to the Red Kettles stay local, supporting the programs in the communities in which they were received. In 2002, Red Kettle donations totaled nearly $90 million across the country, enabling the Salvation Army to assist more than 42 million people throughout the United States.
About Campbell Soup Company
Campbell Soup Company is a global manufacturer and marketer of high quality soup, sauce, beverage, biscuit, confectionery and prepared food products. The Company is 134 years old, with nearly $7 billion in annual sales and a portfolio of more than 20 market-leading brands. The company is ably supported by 25,000 full-time employees worldwide. For more information on the company, visit Campbell’s website on the Internet at www.campbellsoup.com.
SOURCE: Campbell Soup Company
Campbell Soup Company Beth Jolly, 856-968-4301 [email protected]
