Mars Snackfood US announced today that it's SNICKERS® Brand is teaming up with Feeding America to Bar Hunger? – a campaign to help the one in eight Americans struggling with hunger1. As part of the Bar Hunger,? SNICKERS will donate the equivalent of at least three million meals to Feeding America in 2009. The brand will also educate and inspire Americans to help through special branding and educational verbiage on its SNICKERS packaging, dedicated national advertising, its Facebook® Page located at www.facebook.com/snickers , as well as series of events throughout the year.
SNICKERS enlisted the support of the actor and chairman of Feeding America?s Entertainment Council, David Arquette, who'll spend the better part of two days atop the famed Madison Square Garden Marquee, July 14 and 15. Arquette hopes to raise $250,000 in donations for Feeding America, at a time that is especially trying for the growing number of Americans at risk of hunger, through the Snickers Facebook Page, text messaging and on-site collections. "The SNICKERS brand has always satisfied hunger," said Carole Walker, vice president, integrated marketing communications for Mars Snackfood US. "The Bar Hunger? the campaign is designed to draw attention to a very real challenge facing America. But this charitable effort is about more than putting a logo on our wrapper. We want people to join the effort and help in any way they can." - more - snackfood us 800 HIGH STREET HACKETTSTOWN, NJ 07840 T+1 908 852 1000 F+1 908 850 2624
SNICKERS® BAR HUNGER? 2-2-2-2 SNICKERS has teamed with Arquette because of his passionate participation in the fight against hunger. Aside from his role as the first-ever chairman of Feeding America?s Entertainment Council, he also regularly volunteers at a food bank in Venice, Calif. "I've seen first hand the impact of hunger, which is why campaigns like Bar Hunger? are so critical," said David Arquette. "But SNICKERS and I can't do it alone. We need to educate all Americans about this issue and mobilize them to do something. The only way we can truly Bar Hunger? is together." Make a "Chomptribution" In addition to the donation that SNICKERS will make to Feeding America, the brand also worked with the non-profit to provide opportunities for other Americans to support the cause, including:
SNICKERS will match every donation -- up to a total of $25,000 -- made to Feeding America via the SNICKERS Facebook Page, www.facebook.com/snickers, beginning July 14;
People can make a $5.00 donation to Feeding America by texting the word "BAR" to 90999** from July 14 through December 31, 2009;
Consumers can make a cash donation of any size on July 14 and 15 outside Madison Square Garden
As the nation?s largest domestic hunger-relief charity, Feeding America feeds 25 million Americans at risk of hunger each year through a nationwide network of food banks and engages the country in the fight to end hunger. "We're very thankful for the support of SNICKERS," said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America. "The dedication of our corporate partners like SNICKERS, as well as individuals like David Arquette, is critical for us to generate awareness about hunger, as well as continue to provide food to millions of Americans each year who would otherwise go hungry." For more information about the Bar Hunger campaign, visit the Snickers Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/snickers or www.barhunger.com.
Contact
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About Feeding America
Feeding America® is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through a network of more than 200 food banks, 21 statewide food bank associations, and over 60,000 partner agencies, food pantries and meal programs, we helped provide 5.3 billion meals to tens of millions of people in need last year. Feeding America also supports programs that prevent food waste and improve food security among the people we serve; brings attention to the social and systemic barriers that contribute to food insecurity in our nation; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Visit www.feedingamerica.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
Mars Snackfoods US
Headquartered in Hackettstown, NJ, Mars Snackfood US is the United States snack operations of Mars, Incorporated. Mars, Incorporated is a private, family-owned company founded in 1911 and employs 70,000 associates at 250 sites, including 151 factories, in 67 countries worldwide. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, U.S.A., Mars, Incorporated is one of the world?s largest food companies, generating global revenues of more than $30 billion annually and operating in six business segments: Chocolate, Petcare, Wrigley, Food, Drinks, and Symbioscience. These segments produce some of the world?s leading brands: Chocolate – M&M?S®, SNICKERS®, DOVE®, GALAXY®, MARS®, MILKY WAY® and TWIX®; Petcare – PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, SHEBA®, CESAR® and ROYAL CANIN®; Wrigley – ORBIT®, EXTRA®, STARBURST®, DOUBLEMINT® and SKITTLES®; Food – UNCLE BEN?S®, DOLMIO®, EBLY®, MASTERFOODS® and SEEDS OF CHANGE®; Drinks – KLIX® and FLAVIA®; Symbioscience – WISDOM PANELTM MX, SERAMIS®, and COCOAPRO®. For more information, please visit www.mars.com.
