Donovan McNabb and Matt Hasselbeck Tackle Hunger in Miami as
Campbell’s(R) Chunky Soup Announces One Million Can Donation to Food
Banks Nationwide
CAMDEN, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Jan. 29, 2007–All-Star quarterbacks Donovan McNabb of the Philadelphia Eagles and Matt Hasselbeck of the Seattle Seahawks are known as “Campbell’s Chunky” soup “Hungry Boys” for their determination and drive on the field and their “big-hearted” spirit off the field. McNabb and Hasselbeck will be joined by their moms in Miami to announce a soup-er donation on behalf of the “Campbell’s Chunky/NFL Tackling Hunger” program – one million cans of soup to food banks nationwide! As a part of “Chunky” soup’s ongoing commitment to tackle hunger in NFL communities, Campbell will also donate 1,000 cans of “Campbell’s Chunky” soup on behalf of the Miami Dolphins to the Daily Bread Food Bank in Miami.
Super Bowl XLI marks the completion of the ninth season that Campbell and the NFL have partnered together to raise awareness about the ongoing issue of hunger in America and make direct donations to food banks across the country.
“We are honored to have Donovan McNabb, Matt Hasselbeck, and their moms, represent the ‘Chunky’ soup brand to help make a difference in the fight against hunger and finally get to do a little tackling of their own, for a good cause,” said Doug Johns, Senior Brand Manager, “Chunky” soup. “These players truly exemplify the Chunky brand – bigger-than-life, hard-working guys who are always looking out for others, especially their moms.”
The “Campbell’s Chunky/NFL Tackling Hunger” program’s road to the Super Bowl began in April at the NFL Draft, where 1,000 cans of soup were donated to Bread of Life, Inc. in Houston on behalf of Mario Williams, the first overall pick of the 2006 NFL Draft. During the regular season, “Campbell’s Chunky” soup donated 1,000 cans of soup on behalf of each NFL team to a food bank in each NFL city across the country.
Pittsburgh and Philadelphia weighed in, literally, to help raise important food donations for their local communities. Ben Roethlisberger and Max Starks of the Pittsburgh Steelers took part in the “Campbell’s Chunky” Soup Spoon Weigh-In with their moms, where they were all weighed in soup on an oversized soup spoon-shaped scale to benefit the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. Darwin Walker and Philadelphia Eagles team mascot, SWOOP, also hopped on the scale in Philadelphia to generate donations for Philabundance. Both of these organizations are affiliated with America’s Second Harvest, which receives corporate support from Campbell.
“Campbell’s Chunky” soup also sponsored an on-line competition, “Click for Cans,” which enabled NFL fans nationwide to join in the hunger relief effort and help make a difference in their local community by casting votes for their favorite team on www.chunky.com. Green Bay Packers’ fans were crowned the “Chunky” soup “Click for Cans” champions for the fifth consecutive year, generating a soup-er win for Wisconsin area food banks – a donation of the official roster’s total weight in “Chunky” soup. The Indianapolis Colts continued their winning ways online, grabbing the “Most Improved Clicks” title and 2,006 cans of “Chunky” soup for Gleaner’s Food Bank in Indianapolis.
Hunger continues to be a very serious problem in the United States, affecting more than 38 million Americans, including nearly 14 million children, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Since 1997, Campbell and the NFL have partnered together through the Campbell’s Chunky/NFL “Tackling Hunger” program to help fight hunger in America by generating much needed food donations. Now in its ninth season, the “Campbell’s Chunky/NFL Tackling Hunger” program remains committed to battling hunger and has donated more than 34 million cans of soup to hunger relief since its inception.
For more information on the “Campbell’s Chunky/NFL Tackling Hunger” program, visit www.chunky.com.
All NFL players participating in the Chunky soup campaign were secured by PLAYERS INC, the licensing and marketing subsidiary of the NFL Players Association.
About Campbell Soup Company
Campbell Soup Company is a global manufacturer and marketer of high quality simple meals, soups, baked snacks, vegetable-based beverages, and premium chocolate products. Founded in 1869, the company has a portfolio of market-leading brands, including “Campbell’s,” “Pepperidge Farm,” “Arnott’s,” “V8,” and “Godiva.” For more information on the company, visit Campbell’s website at www.campbellsoupcompany.com.
CONTACT: Campbell Soup Company John Faulkner, 856-342-3738 [email protected] or Coyne PR Lisa Farynyk / Erin Bobal, 212-938-0166 [email protected] SOURCE: Campbell Soup Company