New York, NY – Unilever, Acumen and the Clinton Giustra Enterprise Partnership, an initiative of the Clinton Foundation, have launched a landmark Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Commitment to Action called the Enhanced Livelihoods Investment Initiative (ELII) to improve the livelihoods of as many as 300,000 smallholder farmers and their communities in Africa, South Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

Enhanced Livelihoods Investment Initiative
President Bill Clinton and Frank Giustra, Co-Founders of the Clinton Giustra Enterprise Partnership, Paul Polman, CEO of Unilever, Jacqueline Novogratz, Founder and CEO of Acumen, announced the collaboration today on a panel at the Clinton Global Initiative’s 2015 Winter Meeting in New York City.
Catalyze economic growth in low-income communities

The ELII will be a three-year, minimum USD $10 million investment initiative to catalyze economic growth and alleviate poverty amongst low-income communities in the developing world, while creating more inclusive and sustainable value chains. One of the primary goals of the partnership, which leverages Acumen’s and the Clinton Giustra Enterprise Partnership’s market-based approaches to poverty alleviation, will be to create and scale-up privately-held enterprises which will support smallholder farmers and link them to Unilever’s global supply chains and distribution networks.

“I’m excited about this partnership between the Clinton Giustra Enterprise Partnership, Acumen, and Unilever, which will improve the lives of smallholder farmers by bringing them into global markets and distribution networks, empowering hundreds and thousands of people to expand their skills and lift themselves from poverty,” said President Bill Clinton.

“We believe that in the long term, successful businesses can only be sustainable ones. Our vision is to decouple our growth from our environmental footprint and increase our positive social impact. We can only do this by working with others. This partnership has the potential to dramatically increase the scale of what we can do to support smallholder farmers, empower women across our supply chains and in turn help build sustainable, viable businesses that alleviate poverty. Ultimately, we see this as a new model for creating a vibrant ecosystem of enterprises across supply chains.” said Paul Polman, CEO of Unilever.

According to the International Fund on Agricultural Development, 2.5 billion people are involved in smallholder agriculture globally, accounting for an estimated 500 million small farms producing 80% of the food consumed in emerging markets, from Southern Asia to sub-Saharan Africa.

In addition, the increasing trend in global demand for food in developed as well as emerging countries, driven in part by population growth, has created opportunities for the expansion of smallholder agriculture.

However, many of these smallholder farmers face challenges to accessing and adopting beneficial agricultural innovations that can help pull them out of poverty, as the companies providing them with those products and services face a number of challenges in reaching these customers and achieving profitability. Leveraging the findings from a recent study(Link opens in a new window) titled Growing Prosperity: Developing Repeatable Models® to Scale the Adoption of Agricultural Innovations, Unilever’s, Acumen’s and the Clinton Giustra Enterprise Partnership’s investments will help these companies overcome these challenges.

Similarly, for corporations, responsible sourcing of raw agricultural products, which is a growing priority, relies heavily on the ability to enable farmers to run viable, profitable farms that can guarantee a reliable supply of raw materials while incorporating best practices in ethical farming. Building sustainable and inclusive supply chains must also extend beyond achieving reliable, high-quality sources for key commodities, and rather should lead to more prosperous communities with improved livelihoods and quality of life.

To overcome these barriers, the ELII has been specifically designed to create, invest in, and accelerate the growth of agricultural enterprises and innovative business models that can bring smallholder farmers into global markets while improving the livelihoods of their customers, families, and communities.

According to Acumen’s CEO and Founder, Jacqueline Novogratz, “It is my hope that this partnership will set a new standard for how social enterprises and corporations must work together if we are to achieve a shared vision of creating more inclusive economies that bring dignity and positive change to those traditionally left behind by traditional aid and capital markets.”

Frank Giustra, Founder of the Clinton Giustra Enterprise Partnership, said “This partnership builds on our years of experience and success creating and scaling enterprises globally that bring thousands of smallholder farmers and entrepreneurs into the supply chains and distribution networks of large multinational corporations, like Unilever. Under this model, entrepreneurs and farmers will gain access to capital and skills training – all essential tools needed to pull them out of poverty.”

All three organizations will engage their global teams across India, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean in a collaborative process to identify investments, provide capital and deliver technical expertise and capacity building to support enterprise development and impact measurement work.
Leveraging the findings from a recent study titled Growing Prosperity: Developing Repeatable Models® to Scale the Adoption of Agricultural Innovations, Unilever’s, Acumen’s and the Clinton…
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About Acumen
Acumen is working to change the way the world tackles poverty by investing in companies, leaders, and ideas. We invest patient capital in business models that deliver critical goods and services to the world’s poor, improving the lives of millions. Since 2001, Acumen has invested more than $88 million in 82 companies across South Asia and Africa. We are also working to build a global community of emerging leaders that believe in creating a more inclusive world through the tools of both business and philanthropy. Learn more at www.acumen.org(Link opens in a new window) and on Twitter @Acumen(Link opens in a new window).

About the Clinton Giustra Enterprise Partnership
The Clinton Giustra Enterprise Partnership established by President Bill Clinton and Canadian philanthropist Frank Giustra, combines the best of non-profit and for-profit approaches to create new enterprises that capitalize market opportunities to generate social impact and financial returns by addressing existing market gaps in developing country supply and distribution chains.

The Clinton Giustra Enterprise Partnership has been refining its approach for several years and believes there is great potential to enhance the economic and social benefits of marginalized communities by incorporating these individuals into one of three “market-driven” models – Distribution Enterprises, Supply Chain Enterprises, and Training Center Enterprises. Through these models, the Enterprise Partnership seeks to help people work themselves out of poverty. Learn more at www.CGEPartnership.com(Link opens in a new window), on Facebook at Facebook.com/CGEPartnership(Link opens in a new window) and on Twitter @CGEPartnership(Link opens in a new window)

About the Clinton Global Initiative
Established in 2005 by President Bill Clinton, the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), an initiative of the Clinton Foundation, convenes global leaders to create and implement solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges. CGI Annual Meetings have brought together more than 180 heads of state, 20 Nobel Prize laureates, and hundreds of leading CEOs, heads of foundations and NGOs, major philanthropists, and members of the media. To date, members of the CGI community have made more than 3,100 Commitments to Action, which have improved the lives of over 430 million people in more than 180 countries.
CGI also convenes CGI America, a meeting focused on collaborative solutions to economic recovery in the United States, and CGI University (CGI U), which brings together undergraduate and graduate students to address pressing challenges in their community or around the world. For more information, visit clintonglobalinitiative.org and follow us on Twitter @ClintonGlobal(Link opens in a new window) and Facebook at facebook.com/clintonglobalinitiative(Link opens in a new window).

New York, Aug. 6, 2014 – Companies in the 100,000 Jobs Mission hired a total of 161,752 U.S. military veterans through the second quarter of 2014. In addition, the coalition has grown from 11 founding members to 165 companies that represent almost every industry in the American economy.

“More companies have recognized the value of our coalition and are stepping up to make a difference in the lives of our nation’s veterans,” said Maureen Casey, Director of Military and Veterans Affairs for JPMorgan Chase.

Helping Servicemembers through their Transition

The 100,000 Jobs Mission is committed to hiring veterans, but also to helping servicemembers through their transition back to civilian life. The recently published, “Transition Field Guide for Veterans: Education, Employment and Entrepreneurship after Service,” is a resource that helps transitioning military members and veterans develop post-military career plans long before they separate from the service. The Transition Field Guide outlines four main paths toward meaningful employment: immediately entering the job market, pursuing higher education as a path to employment, obtaining helpful certifications or further training to increase competitiveness, and tips on starting a business. Each path offers a recommended timeline prior to transition as well as helpful tips to consider along the way. Visit JobsMission.com to learn more.

Maureen Casey adds, “Our aim is to help position veterans for success in their post-military lives through employment resources like the Transition Field Guide.”

About the 100,000 Jobs Mission
Launched in 2011, the 100,000 Jobs Mission brings together companies committed to hiring U.S. military veterans and military spouses. The 165 companies now involved have pledged to hire 200,000 veterans by 2020. They hired 161,752 veterans through the second quarter of 2014. For more information on the 100,000 Jobs Mission, visit jobsmission.com.

ROME Italy, 2 October 2014 – ‘Voices of Children in Emergencies’, a joint campaign of the EU and UNICEF for children in emergencies was introduced to EU member states in Rome today during an informal meeting of the working group on humanitarian assistance of the EU Council. The ceremony was hosted by the Italian EU Presidency, taking place at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation.

“To date, 8 million European citizens have shared the voices of these children through their own digital networks. The campaign has already reached over 143 million people through other media, which exceeds all our expectations” commented Mr. Philippe Cori, Director, UNICEF Brussels EU Office, who attended the ceremony.

Commenting on the EU perspective, Claus Sorensen, Director General of the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO) said: “The EU and UNICEF have become strategic global partners in providing humanitarian aid. Yet, in order to maintain this life-saving collaboration, we must invest in keeping the strong support we currently enjoy from the EU public. That is why I am thrilled by the outstanding success of this campaign”.

The ceremony’s host, Mr. Giampaolo Cantini, Director General for Development Cooperation, added: “The ‘Voices of Children’ should be the ‘voices of innocence’ and not the ‘voices of war’. The EU-UNICEF Campaign presents the atrocity of war, through the stories of boys and girls suffering all kind of brutality. We must protect them and stop the violence, which is threatening the future of an entire generation.”

Background
The ‘Voices of Children in Emergencies’ campaign gives children affected by natural disasters and conflict the opportunity to express themselves and to tell their stories to a global audience. Amplified through national celebrities and brought to the public across six dedicated websites, social networks and traditional media, the public could amplify the ‘voices of children’ by ‘lending’ their facebook profiles to one of the children of the campaign.

The campaign, launched on 15 May 2014, was implemented in partnership with UNICEF, the European Commission and six European UNICEF National Committees (Greece, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Slovenia, Spain) and their Goodwill Ambassadors.

The special focus of the campaign rests on three children: Aya (from Syria), Michel (from the Philippines) and Chamsia (from Chad) where the EU and UNICEF partner in bringing much needed humanitarian relief. The main campaign videos start with the UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors, reciting part of the child’s story that she/he has been teamed up with.

European celebrities such as Ewan McGregor (United Kingdom), Gaia Amaral (Italy), Pau Gasol (Spain), Imanol Arias (Spain), Robert Lewandowski (Poland), Evanna Lynch (Ireland), Boštjan Nachbar (Slovenia), and Pavlos Tsimas (Greece) have been actively involved in the campaign, promoting the children’s stories. Citizens worldwide have been sharing those stories through their own social media networks, in support of those children’s brave struggles.

Visit www.voicesofchildren.eu and lend your voice!

About UNICEF
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.

To know more about the EU-UNICEF Partnership for Children visit www.unicef.org/eu/

About the European Union
The European Commission funds relief operations for victims of natural disasters and conflicts around the world. The Commission’s assistance relies on the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence. The European Commission is among UNICEF’s largest humanitarian donors. In 2013 alone, it provided almost €100 million for UNICEF projects to help children.

The EU has been working closely with UNICEF for over 20 years to extend immediate assistance to children and women affected by humanitarian crises. The strong partnership has benefitted millions in over 55 countries with nutrition, healthcare, water, sanitation and hygiene services, child protection in emergencies, cash transfers, education, disaster risk reduction, preparedness and resilience building.

A.M. Best announced today it has affirmed Thrivent Financial’s A++ (Superior) rating as well as its stable outlook. The A++ (Superior) rating is the highest of the ratings agency’s 16 ratings categories.

The A.M. Best rating recognizes the organization’s balance sheet strength, strong operating performance, favorable business profile, and very strong enterprise risk management. In addition, the agency cited Thrivent’s efforts to expand its membership in the Christian community and noted the loyalty it enjoys among its membership base. Ratings from agencies like A.M. Best are indicative of Thrivent’s financial strength and claims-paying ability to meet policyholder obligations.

About Thrivent Financial
Thrivent is a not-for-profit financial services organization that helps Christians on the wise with money journey. As a mission-driven, membership-owned organization, it offers its more than 2 million members and customers a broad range of financial products, services and guidance to help them obtain a life of contentment, confidence and generosity. Thrivent and its subsidiary and affiliate companies offer insurance, investments, banking and advice over the phone, online as well as through financial representatives and independent agents nationwide. Thrivent is a FORTUNE 500 company with $136 billion in assets under management/advisement (as of 12/31/17). For more than a century it has helped Christians make wise money choices that reflect their values while providing them opportunities to demonstrate their generosity where they live, work and worship. For more information, visit Thrivent.com. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.

SAN FRANCISCO – Today, on Giving Tuesday, Jessica Alba helps raise awareness for Janie and Jack’s national donation campaign with Baby2Baby, a non-profit organization where she is a proud ambassador and board member, that provides children, ages 0-12 years, living in poverty with the basic necessities that every child deserves. As a call to action, to give back this holiday season, customers will have the opportunity to donate while checking out at Janie and Jack stores nationwide and online at janieandjack.com through December 31.rn\\\”As a Baby2Baby Board Member, Ambassador and mom of three, I am committed to helping children living in poverty receive the basic essentials they deserve,\\\” said Jessica Alba. \\\”Families should never have to choose between diapers, providing food and other basic necessities for their family. We are so grateful to Janie and Jack for their generosity in helping us to fulfill our mission and hope everyone will support Baby2Baby by donating at checkout while shopping at Janie and Jack this holiday season.\\\”rnThe giving campaign communicates Janie and Jack’s goal of giving back and features Baby2Baby ambassador Jessica Alba across online marketing, a campaign video and social posts. Beyond the point-of-sale donations, customers are also invited to shop the Rachel Zoe x Janie and Jack Party Collection, with 100% of net proceeds benefiting Baby2Baby*, available at select stores and janieandjack.com.rn\\\”We are proud to support Baby2Baby and offer our customers two ways to give back this holiday season,\\\” said Shelly Walsh, SVP and General Manager, Janie and Jack. \\\”As a brand, kids are at the heart of everything we do, and we hope to make this time of year a little more special for families in need.\\\”rnBaby2Baby has distributed over 70 million items to hundreds of thousands of children in homeless shelters, domestic violence programs, foster care, underserved schools and hospitals. Over the past eight years alone, the organization has distributed 40 million diapers. Baby2Baby also serves children who have lost everything in the wake of disaster through their Disaster Relief & Emergency Response Program. They have distributed over 10 million basic essentials through this program, from children affected by hurricanes and floods to most recently children evacuated to shelters as a result of the fires that burned across California.rnTo donate to Baby2Baby, please visit a Janie and Jack store or janieandjack.com/baby2baby and join the conversation on social media by tagging #rachelzoexjanieandjack, @janieandjack and @baby2baby. For more information on the collection with Rachel Zoe, please visit janieandjack.com/rachel-zoe-party.rn*Baby2Baby will receive (i) 100% of the net proceeds from the sale of the Rachel Zoe x Janie and Jack Party Collection and (ii) 100% of donations collected at checkout at janieandjack.com and at Janie and Jack stores in the U.S. from Nov. 18, 2019 through Dec. 31, 2019. In the event that the combination of (i) and (ii) is less than US $250,000, Janie and Jack will donate the difference.

FORT WORTH, Texas, — American Airlines Sky Ball XII, an event honoring U.S. military members, veterans and their families, raised more than $1.9 million for the Airpower Foundation. This year’s festivities concluded with a black-tie gala on Saturday, Oct. 25 at American’s Hangar 5 at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

More than 1,000 American Airlines employees volunteered their time to make Sky Ball XII a success. Proceeds from the event will enable the Airpower Foundation to provide much needed support to nonprofit organizations and military families throughout the United States.
“The Airpower Foundation is extremely grateful to American Airlines for its support of Sky Ball XII,” said Roman Palomares, chairman of the Airpower Foundation. “Over the past four years, the American Airlines Sky Ball has raised more than $5.1 million to benefit many deserving military charitable organizations. As the title sponsor of Sky Ball, American and its more than 1,000 employee volunteers have truly made the difference in our ability to support our nation’s service members and their families.”

Sky Ball XII included a special tribute to those who have served in Korea, as well as a branch-of-service salute to the United States Navy. The event was attended by more than 2,300 people, including 17 Medal of Honor recipients, wounded warriors, military officials and other distinguished guests, including actors Gary Sinise and John Ratzenberger.

Highlights of the evening included performances by Christopher Cross, “America’s Tenor” Steve Amerson and Gary Sinise & the Lt. Dan Band, a four-course dinner prepared by Chef Robert Irvine, military and American Airlines aircraft on static display, and the donation of an exoskeleton walking device to the Dallas VA Medical Center.

The Saturday night gala was the culmination of a series of events over three days that included a veteran-focused career expo and professional-development seminar, educational outreach programs, a Salute to Citizen Heroes concert featuring The Randy Rogers Band and Lee Greenwood, and the world premiere of the PBS documentary “Navy SEALs – Their Untold Story.”

Sky Ball XII set a fundraising record of $1.9 million. Proceeds from this year’s event will allow the Airpower Foundation to assist organizations such as Snowball Express, an annual gathering of nearly 2,000 children and spouses of fallen military members, and Carrick Brain Centers, which treats service members impacted by post-traumatic stress and significant brain injuries.

American Airlines has a long history of supporting U.S. service members, veterans and their families. Military and veterans programs are a strong priority for American and its employees, reflecting the airline’s commitment to honor the bravery and dedication of those who serve our country. More than 60 percent of American’s pilots and 10 percent of all the airline’s employees are active service members or veterans. American supports members of the military, veterans and their families through contributions to nonprofit organizations and employee engagement in a wide variety of events and activities. For more information, please visit aa.com/military.

About American Airlines Group
American Airlines Group (NASDAQ: AAL) is the holding company for American Airlines and US Airways. Together with wholly owned and third-party regional carriers operating as American Eagle and US Airways Express, the airlines operate an average of nearly 6,700 flights per day to 339 destinations in 54 countries from its hubs in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Washington, D.C. The American Airlines AAdvantage and US Airways Dividend Miles programs allow members to earn miles for travel, vacation packages, car rentals, hotel stays and everyday purchases. Members of both programs can redeem miles for tickets as well as upgrades to First Class and Business Class. In addition, AAdvantage members can redeem miles for vacation packages, car rentals, hotel stays and retail products. American is a founding member of the oneworld alliance, whose members and members-elect serve nearly 1,000 destinations with 14,250 daily flights to 150 countries. Connect with American on Twitter @AmericanAir and Facebook.com/AmericanAirlines and follow US Airways on Twitter @USAirways.

Tesco has become the first supermarket to sign the Ministry of Defence’s Armed Forces Corporate Covenant.

Tesco has a proud record of supporting the Armed Forces dating right back to the retailer’s founder Jack Cohen, and signing the Covenant means Tesco has made a public commitment to do more to support serving personnel, veterans and reservists.

Tesco is one of the biggest employers of reservists and former service personnel, and the retailer has today pledged to:
Seek out veterans who have left the armed forces for employment with Tesco;
Support spouses and partners of serving personnel to get jobs at Tesco stores in areas with large armed forces communities;
Promote service with the Reserve Forces to Tesco colleagues;
Give extra special consideration to holiday requests from spouses before, during and after their partner’s deployment;
Continue to stock products like Eggs for Soldiers, exclusive Marston’s beer designed by ex-soldiers and exclusive childrenswear by Scotty’s Little Soldiers, proceeds from which go to Forces charities; and
Help customers raise more money than ever for this year’s Poppy Appeal, and smash previous records by raising £4.5 million in 2014.
To help boost donations for this year’s Poppy Appeal a special Tesco delivery truck will drive across London emblazoned with details about how to donate, and Tesco will donate £10 to the Royal British Legion for every picture of the truck that is uploaded by members of the public on social media. Over 7000 Tesco delivery vans will also sport specially-designed poppies, and signs on fourteen large Tesco stores in garrison towns will have the ‘o’ decorated with a poppy throughout the Appeal.

Tesco is already one of the biggest employers of both serving and former servicemen and women, with thousands of veterans on the supermarket’s books. The retailer is also one of the biggest employers of reservists and has a record as a forces-friendly organisation – Tesco founder Jack Cohen set up his first market stall with his demob money after coming home from active service during the First World War.
Since 2005, Tesco has also raised nearly £30 million for Armed Forces charities.

Robin Terrell, UK Managing Director for Tesco said:
“We have a long association with the Armed Forces dating right back to our founder, Jack Cohen. Our servicemen and women make sacrifices every single day, and as the UK’s biggest retailer we want to do everything we can to help them out.
“We have huge numbers of serving and former service personnel working for us, and they bring an enormous number of benefits to our business. We are honoured to be the first supermarket to sign the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant, and we will always look to do more for our heroes who regularly put their lives on the line to defend our country.”

Speaking at the signing of the Corporate Covenant, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:
“It is great to see one of the UK’s major employers recognise the immense benefits that Reservists and former Service personnel can bring to the private sector and I am delighted that they will be our first supermarket that has signed up to the Corporate Covenant. Tesco now join over 300 companies that have committed to strengthening their support for our Armed Forces communities, bringing about real change for those that have bravely served their country and their families.”

Bryn Parry, Co-Founder and CEO, Help for Heroes said:
“When Help for Heroes was started we asked the public to ‘do their bit’ for the wounded. Tesco, its customers and staff stepped up to the plate and supported Help for Heroes through a number of campaigns including collection weekends, sales of endorsed products and numerous other fundraising activities. Its ongoing support is making a real difference to Serving and Veteran members of the Armed Forces who have suffered life-changing injuries and illnesses.”

Nikki Scott, founder of children’s charity Scotty’s Little Soldiers, said:
“We’re delighted that Tesco has signed the Corporate Covenant today and will be helping the Armed Forces in every community where they operate. Our work as a charity to support the children of our fallen servicemen and women has been generously supported by Tesco’s and this latest initiative will ensure that Armed Forces personnel and their families will receive much needed support, help and assistance in the communities where they work and live; something that as a charity we work tirelessly to do.”

Nick Donovan from the Royal British Legion said:
“We are grateful to Tesco for their continued support of the Poppy Appeal by allowing poppy collectors into their stores to fundraise, and their recruiting process of encouraging ex-service men and women into the business. With the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, the rebasing of troops from Germany and the increased numbers of Reservists expected in society, support from companies like Tesco is vital and we are pleased to see they are signing the Corporate Covenant – a voluntary commitment to support the Armed Forces in every community where they operate.”

The Armed Forces Covenant was launched by the Prime Minister last year, to encourage businesses and charities to do more to show their support for Armed Forces personnel.

It is a voluntary pledge of support for the armed forces community and includes two key principles – that no member of the armed forces community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen, and that in some circumstances special treatment may be appropriate, especially for the injured or bereaved.

Jude Focette used to earn a living as a truck driver, but that changed four years ago when he suffered a stroke and was no longer able to walk. “I could not move my hand and I could not lift my foot.” He is one of the patients receiving treatment at the Global Therapy Group clinic in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. “Since I came here, they have been working with me, they have given me this device to support my wrist, and now I can actually walk on my own.”

The American Red Cross supports small organizations in Haiti through financial and technical assistance, so they can expand their activities and grow their capacity. This investment at the local level helps create sustainable services that have a direct, positive impact on the communities. In the case of Global Therapy Group, support from the Red Cross allowed them to offer physical rehabilitation services to a significantly higher number of people.

The organization started operating in 2010, shortly after the earthquake, in temporary locations next to camps or hospitals. Back then, conditions were challenging and space was limited. “We had to move multiple times, so we lost patients,” explains Jo Ann Roberts, Co-Founder and Director of Global Therapy Group. “With the support of the American Red Cross we were able to build this permanent building on our own property and it will hopefully be functional for many, many years to come.”

On a regular weekday the clinic may receive up to 20 patients. “Every week we see more patients,” points out Jo Ann. Some patients sit on wheelchairs waiting for their turn as others arrive walking slowly or with the help of crutches.

The clinic offers free services and demand is high. “Most people in Haiti have no access to any kind of rehabilitation services,” describes Jo Ann. “If you were a child and broke your arm, as so many children do, you would live with that disability.” The clinic has helped people affected by strokes, car crashes or other common accidents to walk again, regain their speech, or recover their independence and get on with their lives.

“Here, patients are respected,” says Jude as he performs slow repetitive motions with his arm assisted by a therapist. He is confident he will make a full recovery and his words show optimism, perseverance, and motivation – the same attributes that have characterized Haitians since the 2010 earthquake.

Staff members assist patients as they practice different movements using pulleys, parallel bars, or pedal exercisers. One of the therapists sits on a mat and chats with a little boy, using games and toys to exercise specific muscles.

Global Therapy Group is investing in Haitians so they can become certified physical therapy technicians.

Frantzo Camille is one of the Haitian physiotherapists working at the clinic. “In Haiti, when people were handicapped, they used to be rejected, even in their own families,” he recalls, “but now I have learnt to help the patients, to facilitate their integration into society and into their families as well.”

The American Red Cross has provided funding to a variety of partners in Haiti. For local organizations and small international organizations like Global Therapy Group, this funding makes a big difference in their capacity to support local communities.

Tags: Haiti 5 year anniversary.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org

More people are going hungry, an annual study by the United Nations has found. Tens of millions have joined the ranks of the chronically undernourished over the past five years, and countries around the world continue to struggle with multiple forms of malnutrition.

The latest edition of the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World, published today, estimates that almost 690 million people went hungry in 2019 – up by 10 million from 2018, and by nearly 60 million in five years. High costs and low affordability also mean billions cannot eat healthily or nutritiously. The hungry are most numerous in Asia, but expanding fastest in Africa. Across the planet, the report forecasts, the COVID-19 pandemic could tip over 130 million more people into chronic hunger by the end of 2020. (Flare-ups of acute hunger in the pandemic context may see this number escalate further at times.)

The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World is the most authoritative global study tracking progress towards ending hunger and malnutrition. It is produced jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agriculture (IFAD), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Writing in the Foreword, the heads of the five agenciesi warn that “five years after the world committed to end hunger, food insecurity and all forms of malnutrition, we are still off track to achieve this objective by 2030.”

The hunger numbers explained

In this edition, critical data updates for China and other populous countriesii have led to a substantial cut in estimates of the global number of hungry people, to the current 690 million. Nevertheless, there has been no change in the trend. Revising the entire hunger series back to the year 2000 yields the same conclusion: after steadily diminishing for decades, chronic hunger slowly began to rise in 2014 and continues to do so.

Asia remains home to the greatest number of undernourished (381 million). Africa is second (250 million), followed by Latin America and the Caribbean (48 million). The global prevalence of undernourishment – or overall percentage of hungry people – has changed little at 8.9 percent, but the absolute numbers have been rising since 2014. This means that over the last five years, hunger has grown in step with the global population.

This, in turn, hides great regional disparities: in percentage terms, Africa is the hardest hit region and becoming more so, with 19.1 percent of its people undernourished. This is more than double the rate in Asia (8.3 percent) and in Latin America and the Caribbean (7.4 percent). On current trends, by 2030, Africa will be home to more than half of the world’s chronically hungry.

The pandemic’s toll

As progress in fighting hunger stalls, the COVID-19 pandemic is intensifying the vulnerabilities and inadequacies of global food systems – understood as all the activities and processes affecting the production, distribution and consumption of food. While it is too soon to assess the full impact of the lockdowns and other containment measures, the report estimates that at a minimum, another 83 million people, and possibly as many as 132 million, may go hungry in 2020 as a result of the economic recession triggered by COVID-19. iii The setback throws into further doubt the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger).

Unhealthy diets, food insecurity and malnutrition

Overcoming hunger and malnutrition in all its forms (including undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, overweight and obesity) is about more than securing enough food to survive: what people eat – and especially what children eat – must also be nutritious. Yet a key obstacle is the high cost of nutritious foods and the low affordability of healthy diets for vast numbers of families.

The report presents evidence that a healthy diet costs far more than US$ 1.90/day, the international poverty threshold. It puts the price of even the least expensive healthy diet at five times the price of filling stomachs with starch only. Nutrient-rich dairy, fruits, vegetables and protein-rich foods (plant and animal-sourced) are the most expensive food groups globally.

The latest estimates are that a staggering 3 billion people or more cannot afford a healthy diet. In sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia, this is the case for 57 percent of the population – though no region, including North America and Europe, is spared. Partly as a result, the race to end malnutrition appears compromised. According to the report, in 2019, between a quarter and a third of children under five (191 million) were stunted or wasted – too short or too thin. Another 38 million under-fives were overweight. Among adults, meanwhile, obesity has become a global pandemic in its own right.

A call to action

The report argues that once sustainability considerations are factored in, a global switch to healthy diets would help check the backslide into hunger while delivering enormous savings. It calculates that such a shift would allow the health costs associated with unhealthy diets, estimated to reach US$ 1.3 trillion a year in 2030, to be almost entirely offset; while the diet-related social cost of greenhouse gas emissions, estimated at US$ 1.7 trillion, could be cut by up to three-quarters.iv

The report urges a transformation of food systems to reduce the cost of nutritious foods and increase the affordability of healthy diets. While the specific solutions will differ from country to country, and even within them, the overall answers lie with interventions along the entire food supply chain, in the food environment, and in the political economy that shapes trade, public expenditure and investment policies. The study calls on governments to mainstream nutrition in their approaches to agriculture; work to cut cost-escalating factors in the production, storage, transport, distribution and marketing of food – including by reducing inefficiencies and food loss and waste; support local small-scale producers to grow and sell more nutritious foods, and secure their access to markets; prioritize children’s nutrition as the category in greatest need; foster behaviour change through education and communication; and embed nutrition in national social protection systems and investment strategies.

The heads of the five UN agencies behind the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World declare their commitment to support this momentous shift, ensuring that it unfolds “in a sustainable way, for people and the planet.”

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Ashley HomeStore celebrated the launch of Fall with their “Spice Up the Season,” event in Nashville, Tennessee, where locals were invited to shop and support small businesses in their community at this market-style event. Among these businesses was Nashville Rescue Mission, a local nonprofit committed to giving transformational hope to all individuals who walk through their doors. With their goal of “providing hope for today, hope for tomorrow, and hope for eternity to the hungry, homeless, and hurting,” Ashley HomeStore has donated over $30,000 in furniture in support of their organization.

“Nashville Rescue Mission is so grateful for this furniture donation from Ashley HomeStore. We plan to use this furniture to replace worn furniture in our common areas for participants in the Mission’s Life Recovery Program,” says Lisa Spelta, Director of Major Gifts at Nashville Rescue Mission.

“The Mission’s Life Recovery Program is a transformational program, free to those suffering from drug or alcohol addiction, mental instability, homelessness, or other broken lifestyles that have led to their needing help in getting back on their feet. It is an intensive 7-24-month program. The Mission offers common areas with sofas, chairs, and dining tables, where participants can gather, watch television, read, relax, and more. Once an individual has graduated from the Program, they are invited to live in the Mission’s Transitional Housing, where they can stay for up to two years. If a participant keeps a job, stays clean and sober, and finds a church home, they can benefit from this free housing. There are also common areas where participants can relax and participate in a Friday Night Coffeehouse Program, where they can enjoy coffee, listen to music, and learn to socialize without drugs or alcohol.”

Since opening their doors in 1954, Nashville Rescue Mission has provided food, shelter, and rehabilitation to those who come through their facility. Never turning anyone away, the Mission is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Serving over 600 men, women, and children daily, Nashville Rescue Mission provided over 424,000 meals and over 212,000 nights of shelter in 2020 alone.

On August 29th, Ashley HomeStore celebrated the launch of their Fall Campaign to bring the season’s cozy, autumnal spirit home. With over 25 vendors and Nashville businesses, guests were invited to interact with Ashley product while shopping local at their market-style event. The change in season signifies more than just a change in weather. More gatherings, more holidays, and most importantly, more time at home. All the furniture and accessories that were featured in the event will be used at Nashville Rescue Mission to refresh their living spaces.

“Ashley HomeStore is grateful to partner with Nashville Rescue Mission to help positively impact the lives of those who seek shelter at the Mission’s facility during this time of year when a place to call home can mean so much,” said Kelly Davis, Senior Director of Marketing Strategy at Ashley HomeStore. “We are confident that this furniture donation will help the Mission create a positive impact in the local Nashville community.”

Ashley HomeStore is committed to being your trusted partner and style leader for the home. This commitment has made Ashley HomeStore the largest retail furniture store brand in North America and one of the world’s best-selling furniture store brands with more than 1,050 locations in 60 countries. Start designing your dream home today. Visit Ashley HomeStore online at www.ashleyhomestore.com. “Like” Ashley HomeStore on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, or see our design-focused boards on Pinterest.

Nashville Rescue Mission is a Christ-centered community dedicated to providing hope for today,
hope for tomorrow, and hope for eternity to the hungry, homeless, and hurting. The Mission provides meals, safe shelter, and clothing to those in need, as well as support and long-term assistance for those struggling with homelessness, addictions, and other life-debilitating problems. With a focus on two ministries—Guest Services Ministries and Recovery Ministries—the Mission operates almost entirely from donated foods, materials, and generous contributions from individuals, churches, and organizations. Established in 1954, Nashville Rescue Mission is a faith focused, 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and does not rely upon government funds. Visit nashvillerescuemission.org to learn more.

Media Contact:
Carolina Meneses
cmeneses@ashleyfurniture.com

SOURCE Ashley HomeStore

The deteriorating humanitarian situation in Iraq is more than a crisis of food and shelter, it is a “crisis of spirit” that requires urgent action from the international community, the Deputy United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Iraq said today.

Briefing reporters in New York via video-link from Erbil, Kevin Kennedy said that currently there are some 1.8 million people displaced in the country, mostly in Kurdistan and Anbar Province.

Over 860,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) have arrived from Anbar, Mosul and Sinjar in the last several months as the situation has deteriorated in all those regions, he noted.

In August alone, 650,000 people arrived in Kurdistan seeking shelter, security and safety. Many of them have been staying with friends and relatives. Most of the refugees arriving now are seeking shelter in schools. This has caused the start of the school year to be delayed for months, Mr. Kennedy said, adding that it is uncertain when schools will reopen.

The IDPs are also dispersed, with about 400,000 of them in Anbar Province, which is not controlled by Iraqi Government forces. On top of that, Iraq is also hosting some 220,000 Syrian refugees and another one million people displaced since the start of the 2003 war.

“The people who are here came here to seek refuge. They are very traumatized having seen things they did not want to see,” said Mr. Kennedy, recalling a recent visit to Tikrit, where he met an elderly man who said that he could not account for his 41 family members.

Challenges persist and continue to grow, Mr. Kennedy said, outlining three main challenges facing relief agencies on the ground. The first challenge is access. It is very difficult to reach the close to half a million people in need of support in Anbar Province.

The second big challenge is shelter, he continued. There are 800,000 IDPs in the Kurdistan region, and about 390,000 are estimated to be in need of shelter and currently living in schools, under bridges or out in the open, in very bad conditions. Camps are being built and will accommodate 220,000 which will leave a shelter gap for about 170,000 people.

“We still have a gap which will be significant and must be closed in a few weeks,” he said, noting that winter is fast approaching.

The third main concern is the upcoming winter, when temperatures can get down to negative 16 degrees Celsius. “There’s rain, snow and wind, and our fear is that unless we can provide the shelter, this massive humanitarian emergency will turn into a deadly, life threatening situation for many,” said Mr. Kennedy.

Last week, the Government and the UN agreed on a joint plan to provide refugees with shelter, food, and sanitation in the coming weeks.

He commended the “generosity, hospitality and humanity” of the people in different areas who have taken in the displaced. At the same time, he expressed concern about how long host communities could continue to take in refugees before they themselves became overwhelmed.

UN agencies and partners are continuing with their efforts on the ground, distributing food, medicines and building camps. The World Food Programme (WPF) is feeding 1 million people every month. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is taking care of building shelters, while the World Health Organization (WHO) is providing medicine and other supplies.

Mr. Kennedy said that what is needed is a massive effort with a sustained sense of urgency, noting that while the security situation in Iraq and the region has captured global attention, the humanitarian situation deserves equal attention.

Thrivent announced today that Bonnie Raquet has been elected by her peers on the board to serve as the chair of the Thrivent Financial Board of Directors, making her the first female in the organization’s history to hold this prestigious appointment. She will lead the board along with 13 other directors. Raquet’s term became effective on Feb. 1, 2018, when she replaced former chair Frank H. (Dick) Moeller.

The Thrivent board of directors is responsible for overseeing all matters pertaining to the not-for-profit, Fortune 500 membership organization. Thrivent’s mission is to help Christians on their wise with money journey. The organization serves more than 2 million members and has $116 billion in assets under management and advisement (as of Dec. 31, 2016).

“Bonnie brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role of the chair of our board of directors, and we look forward to her continued leadership,” said Thrivent CEO Brad Hewitt. “We are also proud that Bonnie has been named the first female chair of the board in our organization’s history. This is a monumental moment that we celebrate.”

Raquet has been a Thrivent board member since 2010, serving as chair of the Thrivent Church Solutions Committee and as a member of the Executive as well as Human Resource and Governance Committees.

Raquet was previously a corporate vice president at Cargill from 2000 to 2011, where she led the company’s global corporate affairs activities spanning government relations, media, communications, brand management, marketing services and corporate responsibility. She first joined Cargill as an attorney in 1982.

Raquet was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and the U.S. Trade Representative to the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee for Trade in 2008. She is a member of the Global Advisory Council of TechnoServe Inc. and after serving as interim chair of the board of directors for the World Food Program USA, she is now vice chair and chair of the governance committee. In addition, Raquet is vice chair of the board of directors of Valparaiso University.

Three incumbents reelected to board of directors
Alice Richter, F. Mark Kuhlmann and Mark Jeske were all reelected to the board of directors in 2017. Richter has been a member of the board since May 2007 and serves on the Executive and Thrivent Church Solutions Committees. With the board since 2006, Kuhlmann is chair of the Human Resource and Governance Committee and a member of the Executive and Thrivent Holdings Committees. Finally, Jeske was appointed to the board in May 2011 and currently serves on the Human Resource and Governance as well as Thrivent Church Solutions Committees.

Two directors retire from board due to term limits
Allan R. Spies and Frank H. (Dick) Moeller are retiring from the board of directors due to term limits. Moeller served on Thrivent’s board since 2005 and is the departing chair of the board. Spies, who has also served since 2005, was a member of the Audit and Thrivent Church Solutions Committees.

“We are deeply grateful for the many and varied contributions of our directors over the years,” said Hewitt. “As we move into 2018, we look forward to working with our board as we continue to help Christians on their wise with money journey and supporting them in leading meaningful, generous lives.”

For more information on the Thrivent Financial Board of Directors and to read board member biographies, visit: https://www.thrivent.com/governance/leadership-biographies/#board.

About Thrivent Financial
Thrivent is a not-for-profit membership organization that helps Christians be wise with money and live generously. It offers its more than 2 million member-owners a broad range of products, services and guidance nationwide. For more than a century it has helped members make wise money choices that reflect their values while providing them opportunities to demonstrate their generosity where they live, work and worship. For more information, visit Thrivent.com. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.

MINNEAPOLIS – Thrivent announced today that Bradford (Brad) N. Creswell has been appointed to serve on Thrivent’s board of directors. He will join the board along with 12 other directors. Creswell’s term became effective on February 1, 2018.

The Thrivent board of directors is responsible for overseeing all matters pertaining to the not-for-profit, Fortune 500 membership organization. Thrivent’s mission is to help Christians on their wise with money journey. The organization serves more than 2 million members and has $136 billion in assets under management and advisement (as of 12/31/17).

“We are pleased to have Brad join the board of directors and know his professional experience will add an important perspective,” said Thrivent CEO Brad Hewitt. “Brad is passionate about advancing Thrivent’s mission to help Christians on the wise with money journey and is committed to steering our organization forward as we look at ways to best serve our members.”

Creswell will serve on the Audit and Thrivent Holdings Committees of the board.

Creswell is co-founder and managing partner of NCA Partners LLC, a private equity firm located in Seattle. He was previously a vice president at Bankers Trust & Company. Creswell began his career at Arthur Young working in the audit department. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Puget Sound and a master’s degree in business administration from the Amos Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College.

Creswell is currently a board member for two privately held portfolio companies, PTW Energy Services Ltd, and Apply A Line, LLC. He also serves as director and chair of the Audit Committee for the Reading Partners national board and has been appointed director and acting interim chair of the Reading Partners Seattle regional board. Creswell was previously on the regional board of the Thrivent Member Network – Northwest Region.

To learn more about Thrivent’s Board of Directors and read board member biographies, visit: www.thrivent.com/governance.

About Thrivent
Thrivent is a not-for-profit membership organization that helps Christians be wise with money and live generously. It offers its more than 2 million member-owners a broad range of products, services and guidance nationwide. For more than a century it has helped members make wise money choices that reflect their values while providing them opportunities to demonstrate their generosity where they live, work and worship. For more information, visit Thrivent.com. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.

NEW YORK – The Department of Health and Human Resources (HHS) recognized the Avon Foundation-funded Breast Cancer Start-up Challenge as an award winner of HHS Innovates, a contest developed to celebrate and identify innovation by HHS employees. After seven rounds of judging by HHS leaders and the public, this initiative earned the HHS Innovates “Secretary’s Pick” award for its efforts to mobilize new ways to commercialize breast cancer related inventions.

The Avon Foundation for Women, in partnership with the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Center for Advancing Innovation (CAI), launched the Breast Cancer Startup Challenge in 2013 a first-of-a-kind, international university-based startup competition. The Avon Foundation provided $250,000 in funding for this Challenge.

The primary goals of the Breast Cancer Startup Challenge were to accelerate and increase the volume of emerging breast cancer invention development and commercialization as well as stimulate the creation of start-up businesses around the inventions. As a result of this challenge, 11 new startups were launched, are raising funding and are in negotiations to license the technology. This challenge is unique and presents a real world opportunity in that, in the final stage, teams are required to launch a startup, raise seed funding and also apply for a license to the invention, which is beyond what traditional business plan competitions require.

The challenge is the largest of its kind in the world, as compared to the current largest competition based out of Rice University in Houston. “The CAI team is thrilled to have had the opportunity to partner with NCI and the Avon Foundation on this initiative that has served as a catalyst to accelerate and boost the volume of promising breast cancer related invention-development and -commercialization,” said Rosemarie Truman, Founder and CEO of CAI. “We look forward to seeing the impact the new startups make on the standard of care in breast cancer and other areas as we leverage this novel paradigm as a platform to launch similar challenges.”

The Breast Cancer Startup Challenge is comprised of 10 research technologies that were judged to show great promise to advance breast cancer research. These 10 inventions were developed at NCI or at an Avon Foundation-funded university lab and include therapeutics, diagnostics, prognostics, one device, one vaccine, one delivery system and one health IT invention. Teams of business, legal, medical/scientific, engineering, computer science students and seasoned entrepreneurs have evaluated these technologies to create business plans and start new companies to develop and commercialize them.

Two hundred teams expressed an interest in joining the challenge and 46 teams were accepted to compete on a range of business plan possibilities. In total, 478 people participated in the competition. Given the number of teams and people on each team, this challenge is one of the largest global university business plan challenges to date. The 11 startups include:

Challenge #1 – Diagnostic from Biopsies with Software Analysis
Winner – Radial Genomics, University of Cambridge; Lead Inventor – Tom Misteli, Ph.D., NCI

Challenge #2 – Immunotherapy Using Modified Self Tumor Cells
Winner- PCV Therapeutics, Washington University in Saint Louis; Lead Inventor – Dennis Klinman, M.D., Ph.D., NCI

Challenge #3 – Combination of Tissue Reconstruction and Recurrence Prevention
Winner – Medicogen, Tulane University; Lead Inventor – Karen Burg, Ph.D., Clemson University
Finalist – NEST, Clemson University

Challenge #4 – Human Monoclonal Antibody Based Cancer Therapies
Winner – Mesopharm Therapeutics, Stanford University; Lead Inventor – Mitchell Ho, Ph.D., NCI

Challenge #5 -Immunotherapy Using Granulysin Activated Monocytes
Winner – Orpheden Therapeutics, Northwestern University; Lead Inventor – Alan Krensky, M.D., Northwestern University (formerly with NCI)

Challenge #6 – Anti-cancer Toxin
Winner – Oncolinx, Rutgers University; Lead Inventor – Nadya Tarasova, Ph.D., NCI

Challenge #7 – Versatile Delivery Method for Cancer Therapeutics
Finalist – Bespoke Therapeutics, Wake Forest University; Lead Inventors – Stanislaw J. Kaczmarczyk, Ph.D. & Deb Chatterjee, Ph.D., NCI

Challenge #8 –Genomic-based Diagnostic Assay
Winner – Heragen, University of California, Berkeley; Lead Inventor: Steven Libutti, M.D., FACS, Albert Einstein College of Medicine (formerly NCI)

Challenge #9 -Tissue-based Diagnostic Assay
Winner – ProVivoX, McGill University; Lead Inventor – Stephen M. Hewitt, M.D., Ph.D., NCI

Challenge #10 – Diagnostic Kit for Therapy Benefit Prediction
Winner – Taxor Diagnostics, Tulane University; Lead Inventor – Sherry Yang, MD., Ph.D., NCI
For more information on the Challenge, visit: http://www.breastcancerstartupchallenge.com

The Avon Foundation for Women, the world’s largest corporate-affiliated philanthropy focused on issues that matter most to women, was founded in 1955 to improve the lives of women. Through 2013, Avon global philanthropy, led by the Avon Foundation, has donated more than $957 million in more than 50 countries for causes most important to women. Today, Avon philanthropy focuses on funding breast cancer research and access to care through the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade, and efforts to reduce domestic and gender violence through its Speak Out Against Domestic Violence program. Visit www.avonfoundation.org for more information.

The Center for Advancing Innovation (CAI) is a global public-private partnership non-profit focused on creating a virtuous circle of innovation and driving growth breakthroughs through novel, creative paradigms and models. CAI’s mission is to accelerate and increase the volume of technology transfer, translational research, commercialization and entrepreneurship in various fields of research, including biomedical research, to make more research available to the world for educational and innovation purposes, improve the economy and positively impact world health. For more information about CAI, please visit http://www.thecenterforadvancinginnovation.org.

Falls Church, Va. — Community Associations Institute (CAI), the leading international authority on community association governance, management, and education, applauds the introduction of H.R. 3777, the Disaster Assistance Fairness Act, in the U.S. House of Representatives last week.

Reps. David Rouzer (R-N.C.), Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), and Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) are leading the bipartisan legislation. Under current law, the Federal Emergency Management Agency inconsistently interprets regulations, thereby preventing community associations from qualifying for federal disaster response and recovery programs. H.R. 3777 will ensure housing cooperatives, condominiums, and homeowners associations are eligible for the same FEMA assistance available to other homeowners.

“Natural disasters, including tornadoes, wildfires, floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and blizzards, impact homeowners in every state. CAI members from across the country are grateful to see the Disaster Assistance Fairness Act reintroduced,” says Thomas M. Skiba, CAE, CAI’s chief executive officer. “It will give homeowners living in some of the most affordable communities access to FEMA’s recovery resources to restore their condominium and cooperative buildings back to livable conditions. It also would allow homeowners associations to use resources to remove debris immediately following a disaster, clearing a path for emergency and essential vehicles.”

The bill changes two elements of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief Act. It makes essential common elements of a community association (such as a roof, exterior wall, heating and cooling equipment, elevator, stairwell, utility access, plumbing, and electricity) eligible under FEMA’s Federal Assistance to Individuals and Households Program. It also makes community associations eligible under FEMA’s requirements for the removal of debris in the aftermath of a major disaster.

The bill co-sponsors agree that all Americans, regardless of their form of housing, have the right to benefit from FEMA’s response, recovery, and mitigation resources.

“Under FEMA’s current eligibility rules, condominiums, cooperatives, and homeowners associations don’t have the same access to FEMA individual assistance as single-family homeowners. This makes it difficult for many families to recover and rebuild their homes and lives,” says Rouzer, the lead Republican on the bill. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to ensure all North Carolinians impacted by disasters can fully recover.”

The National Association of Housing Cooperatives also welcomes the introduction of the legislation. “The resident owners of housing cooperatives, condominiums, and homeowners associations deserve the same consideration from our federal government as individual homeowners when disaster strikes their homes,” says Fred Gibbs, president of NAHC.

Read more about how CAI is advocating for disaster response and recovery at www.caionline.org/FEMA.

About Community Associations Institute
Since 1973, Community Associations Institute (CAI) has been the leading provider of resources and information for homeowners, volunteer board leaders, professional managers, and business professionals in the more than 358,000 homeowners associations, condominiums, and housing cooperatives in the United States and millions of communities worldwide. With more than 44,000 members, CAI works in partnership with 36 legislative action committees and 64 affiliated chapters within the U.S., Canada, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates as well as with housing leaders in several other countries, including Australia, Spain, and the United Kingdom. A global nonprofit 501(c)(6) organization, CAI is the foremost authority in community association management, governance, education, and advocacy. Our mission is to inspire professionalism, effective leadership, and responsible citizenship—ideals reflected in community associations that are preferred places to call home. Visit us at www.caionline.org, and follow us on Twitter and Facebook @CAISocial.

NEW YORK, NY – Continuing its efforts to alleviate poverty worldwide, Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) and the Caterpillar Foundation are making a $2.5 million investment in The Global Poverty Project (GPP). The investment will support growing the Global Citizen grassroots movement around the world to end extreme poverty by 2030.

“When we can put people on the path to prosperity, it gives them opportunities for education, jobs and ultimately economic growth,” said Caterpillar Foundation President Michele Sullivan. “Our investment with The Global Poverty Project will help people fulfill their potential, lifting themselves and their communities out of poverty. I’ve seen firsthand how these investments can impact lives and really make a difference. This investment will help change lives.”

The Caterpillar Foundation investment will support advocacy and public policy work around the world to enable entrepreneurship, especially for women, by removing barriers caused by poor and inequitable access to sanitation – such as places to hand wash or use the toilet – and lack of access to basic education. The Global Poverty Project estimates universal sanitation would improve the entrepreneurial potential of women by freeing up more than 200 million hours for women and girls each day, enabling them to achieve an education, have time for paid employment or run their own small enterprises. This would return an estimated $220 billion to the global economy annually. The investment will also support universal quality primary education for the 31 million girls who currently go without school. It will help them achieve literacy, and enable them to access higher level academic and vocational education.

“When an organized, critical mass of individuals is equipped to take meaningful action, we can change practices that keep people in extreme poverty,” said Hugh Evans, CEO of The Global Poverty Project. “Having a company like Caterpillar involved can scale our work in a way we never imagined.”

The Global Poverty Project aims to raise awareness and inspire action on the issue of extreme poverty worldwide at the grassroots level. One way The Global Poverty Project does this is through its cornerstone event, the annual Global Citizen Festival, held this year on September 27 in New York City’s Central Park. The Festival is a free-ticketed concert. Music fans and activists win tickets by taking “actions” to end extreme poverty on GlobalCitizen.org. Caterpillar is sponsoring the festival, while Cat® generator sets will provide power. This year, more than 48,000 tickets were given to Global Citizens to attend to the Festival.

About Caterpillar Foundation:
Caterpillar Inc. supports the philanthropic efforts of the Caterpillar Foundation. Founded in 1952, the Caterpillar Foundation has contributed more than $550 million to help make sustainable progress possible around the world by providing program support in the areas of environmental sustainability, access to education and basic human needs. To learn more about the global impact of the Caterpillar Foundation, please visit www.caterpillar.com/foundation.

About Caterpillar:
For nearly 90 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making sustainable progress possible and driving positive change on every continent. Customers turn to Caterpillar to help them develop infrastructure, energy and natural resource assets. With 2013 sales and revenues of $55.656 billion, Caterpillar is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. The company principally operates through its three product segments – Resource Industries, Construction Industries and Energy & Transportation – and also provides financing and related services through its Financial Products segment. For more information, visit caterpillar.com. To connect with us on social media, visit caterpillar.com/social-media.

San Ramon, Calif., – Chevron U.S.A. Inc. (NYSE: CVX) today announced the launch and expansion of the 2014 Fuel Your School program, an innovative collaboration with DonorsChoose.org, an online organization that makes it easy for anyone to help students in need. In 2014, the Fuel Your School Program will generate up to $8.6 million in classroom supply funding for educators in 22 U.S. communities in 14 states where Chevron operates, with the help of local Chevron and Texaco marketers in 6 markets.

Beginning Sept. 1, 2014, public school teachers from participating communities are invited to post eligible classroom projects at www.DonorsChoose.org. From Oct. 1 through Oct. 31, 2014, the Fuel Your School program will donate $1 to help fund eligible classroom projects when consumers purchase eight or more gallons of fuel at participating Chevron or Texaco stations, up to a total of $8.6 million.

“Education is a building block to promote economic development and bright futures for young people,” said Dale Walsh, president of Chevron Americas Products. “Chevron is proud to expand this successful program to continue to strengthen educational opportunities in the communities where we operate.”

Since its 2010 inception, Fuel Your School has helped fund more than 17,000 classroom projects at 3,200 K-12 public schools as project funding has increased annually from up to $1 million in 2010 to up to $8.6 million for the 2014 program. The majority of project requests and funding to date have helped support science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.

“We’re excited to expand our collaboration with Chevron and help provide our nation’s teachers and students with the classroom supplies needed to help foster an innovative and dynamic learning environment,” said Charles Best, founder and CEO of DonorsChoose.org. “The Fuel Your School program makes it easy for educators, parents, community members and businesses to work together to provide students with the classroom supplies they need to facilitate hands-on learning opportunities.”

Fuel Your School is one of the many programs Chevron supports to increase learning opportunities for students and support the social and economic vitality of communities. In the U.S., over the last three years, Chevron’s total investment in education was more than $100 million, focused primarily on STEM educational initiatives.

For a full list of participating communities in the 2014 Fuel Your School program and to track progress, please visit www.FuelYourSchool.com.

Chevron Corporation is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies, with subsidiaries that conduct business worldwide. The company’s success is driven by the ingenuity and commitment of its employees and their application of the most innovative technologies in the world. Chevron is involved in virtually every facet of the energy industry. The company explores for, produces and transports crude oil and natural gas; refines, markets and distributes transportation fuels and other energy products; manufactures and sells petrochemical products; generates power and produces geothermal energy; provides energy efficiency solutions; and develops the energy resources of the future, including biofuels. Chevron is based in San Ramon, Calif. More information about Chevron is available at www.chevron.com.

About DonorsChoose.org
Founded in 2000, DonorsChoose.org is an online charity that makes it easy for anyone to help students in need. Public school teachers from every corner of America post requests, and individuals can give directly to the ones that inspire them. To date, 250,000 public and charter school teachers have used DonorsChoose.org to secure $184 million in books, art supplies, technology, and other resources that their students need to learn.

Visit www.donorschoose.org/intro to hear Oprah Winfrey and Stephen Colbert tell the DonorsChoose.org story.

SAN RAMON, Calif., – Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) announced today that it is increasing its support to the Niger Delta Partnership Initiative (NDPI) Foundation. Chevron is committing an additional $40 million over five years to expand a portfolio of programs and partnerships that have successfully promoted economic development, improved the capacity of civil society institutions, and helped reduced conflict in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region since 2010.

The additional funding brings the total social investment in NDPI to $90 million, the single largest in the corporation’s history.

Established in-part through a five-year, $50 million endowment by Chevron in 2010, NDPI is a special purpose foundation designed to work in partnership with other donors from the public and private sector, creating dynamic, multi-stakeholder partnerships to collaboratively support a range of projects designed to help reduce poverty and conflict in the Niger Delta region.

“Chevron recognizes that our business is fundamentally linked to economic prosperity, sustainable development and peaceful co-existence in regions where we operate,” said Rhonda Zygocki, executive vice president of Policy and Planning for Chevron Corporation. “The NDPI partnership exemplifies Chevron’s approach to social investment and further underscores the role the private sector can play in helping build stronger, stable communities around the world.”

This new financial commitment by Chevron, to be complemented by funding from other donors and partners, will allow NDPI to continue building upon its initial efforts to address the root causes of poverty and conflict in the Niger Delta Region by expanding and scaling-up effective partnerships and programs.

Since 2010, NDPI has directly benefited more than 10,000 people in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region, by creating more than 600 jobs and supporting nearly 100 local businesses. The initiative has also trained more than 5,500 local community members and development practitioners and engaged 172 local partner organizations in the development and implementation of its projects.

“I am extremely proud of what NDPI has accomplished since 2010,” said Ali Moshiri, president of Chevron Africa and Latin America Exploration and Production Company and chairman of the board of directors of the NDPI Foundation. “There is, however, more work to do. This funding will boost already successful efforts as the public and private sector continue to work together to improve quality of life and create greater prosperity in the region.”

“Partnering is at the core of what NDPI is all about,” said Dennis Flemming, executive director of the NDPI Foundation. “Our goal is to continue to engage partners from both the public and private sector donor community to leverage this $40 million and enhance our projects in ways that will create further substantive regional impact.”

Chevron is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies, with subsidiaries that conduct business worldwide. The company’s success is driven by the ingenuity and commitment of its employees and their application of the most innovative technologies in the world. Chevron is involved in virtually every facet of the energy industry. The company explores for, produces and transports crude oil and natural gas; refines, markets and distributes transportation fuels and other energy products; manufactures and sells petrochemical products; generates power and produces geothermal energy; provides energy efficiency solutions; and develops the energy resources of the future, including biofuels. Chevron is based in San Ramon, Calif. More information about Chevron is available at www.chevron.com.

ATLANTA, – Empowering women to thrive is a worldwide commitment of The Coca-Cola Company and one of three global priorities for The Coca-Cola Foundation. Its importance reverberates around the world, resonating especially in North America.

More than $2 million in grants from The Coca-Cola Foundation was directed to organizations focused on women’s empowerment, entrepreneurship and other programs uniquely impacting women. The Company provided further support by contributing more than $1 million towards women’s empowerment programs and initiatives, with a focus on those impacting women of color. The Center for Black Women’s Wellness, the Adelante Movement and the Hispanic Women’s Corporation’s Professional Development and Leadership Institute received funding to teach core entrepreneurial skills, financial literacy and economic self-sufficiency.

Together, the Company and its Foundation invested in a $1 million partnership with the National Urban League, SER – Jobs for Progress National, Inc. and Rainbow/PUSH Coalition. Through this partnership, women in 10 U.S. cities will receive access to financial learning, job training and entrepreneurship development.

This support underscores the Company’s Office of Global Supplier Diversity work to expand its modular-training initiative, the Supplier Training & Empowerment Program (STEP). The program addresses the barriers that prevent women-owned suppliers from sustaining and growing their businesses.

“We know that empowering women to be entrepreneurs and leaders yields dividends of community growth, prosperity and sustainability,” said Lori George Billingsley, Vice President, Community Relations, Coca-Cola North America.

In 2010, the Company launched its 5by20 initiative with a goal to empower five million women entrepreneurs across the global Coca-Cola value chain by 2020. The initiative aims to help women overcome barriers to business success by providing access to business skills training, financial resources and mentors. At the end of 2013, more than 550,000 women across 44 countries had been impacted since the program’s inception.Page 2 of 2 Classified – Unclassified

Other organizations receiving support for women’s empowerment initiatives include:

Center for Black Women Wellness, Atlanta, GA, $35,000
Girls Inc., New York, NY, $250,000
National Coalition of Black Civic Participation, Washington, DC, $100,000
Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship, New York, NY, $100,000
The Adelante Movement, New York, NY, $150,000
National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women, Washington, DC, $25,000
Hispanic Women’s Corporation, Phoenix, AZ $10,000
League of United Latin American Citizens Women’s Conference, Washington, DC, $5,000
Latin American Association, Atlanta, GA, $300,000
Mexican – American Opportunity Foundation Women’s Forum, Montebello, CA, $10,000
About The Coca-Cola Foundation
The Coca-Cola Foundation has awarded more than $660 million to support global sustainable community initiatives. These initiatives include water stewardship, women’s empowerment, active healthy living, and education. For more information about The Coca-Cola Foundation, please go to http://www.coca-colacompany.com/our-company/the-coca-cola-foundation.

About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Led by Coca-Cola, one of the world’s most valuable and recognizable brands, our Company’s portfolio features 17 billion-dollar brands including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply, Georgia and Del Valle. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, ready-to-drink coffees, and juices and juice drinks. Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy our beverages at a rate of 1.9 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, support active, healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. Together with our bottling partners, we rank among the world’s top 10 private employers with more than 700,000 system associates. For more information, visit Coca-Cola Journey at www.coca-colacompany.com, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CocaColaCo , visit our blog, Coca-Cola Unbottled, at www.coca-colablog.com or find us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/the-coca-cola-company.

CHICAGO, Jan. 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Conagra Brands announced today the five nonprofit organizations receiving grants, totaling $25,000, following the company’s Sustainable Development Awards, which were held earlier this year. Each winning company facility directed a $5,000 grant from Conagra Brands to a nonprofit organization to be used in their communities for projects with a focus on sustainability.

Conagra Brands’ annual Sustainable Development Awards is an employee-led program that encourages the development and implementation of innovative ideas related to sustainable production and business practices. This year, employees from across the organization submitted more than 200 sustainability-focused projects that conserve water, reduce waste and save energy, underscoring Conagra’s commitment to nourishing and restoring the planet. Winning teams are honored at an internal celebration and select a local organization to receive a grant supporting sustainability-focused projects.

“For more than a decade, Conagra’s Sustainable Development Awards program has recognized our teams committed to making great food responsibly,” said Katya Hantel, senior director of sustainability at Conagra Brands. “These grants will help our employees give back to their local communities and revitalize the planet.”

From preserving trails and parks to supporting the health of local wildlife, forests and water sources, this year’s grant recipients are dedicated to protecting local ecosystems. Below is a complete list of the recipients and the projects that the grants will support:

Central Sierra Environmental Resource Center (CSERC) – selected by Conagra’s Oakdale, Calif. facility: CSERC works to build broad consensus for forest treatments that help protect millions of acres of public and private forest lands from devastating wildfires, insect outbreaks and pollution. Funds from Conagra’s grant will support initiatives that fund significant forest health projects and shape long-term river management solutions.
Friends of the Polly Ann Trail Milestones and Benefits – selected by Conagra’s Imlay City, Mich. facility: The Friends group supports the Polly Ann Trail by funding improvements and maintenance and by promoting the trail to the community. Funds from Conagra’s grant will support ongoing maintenance work on the trail.
Landmark Conservancy – selected by Conagra’s Menomonie, Wis. facility: Landmark is a non-profit conservation organization serving 20 counties in western and northwestern Wisconsin, working to conserve lands and create public preserves and trails for all to enjoy. Funds from Conagra’s grant will help fund projects related to the Devil’s Punchbowl Preserve land management needs and implementation of new technologies to improve trail infrastructure.
Missouri State Parks Foundation – selected by Conagra’s Macon, Mo. facility: The Missouri State Parks Foundation is focused on keeping Missouri’s 92 state parks and historic sites strong and vital. Funds from Conagra’s grant will help support the development of the Rock Island Line Corridor and restoration of the Meramec River bridge.
Wings Over Wisconsin (Beaver Dam Chapter) – selected by Conagra’s Beaver Dam, Wis. facility: The Wings Over Wisconsin Beaver Dam Chapter promotes the proliferation of wild winged birds by enhancing wildlife cover and food plots in habitat restoration areas, raising and releasing pheasants on designated project areas and through other projects. Funds from Conagra’s grant will help the nonprofit continue its work to attain and restore wildlife habitats.
About Conagra Brands
Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG), headquartered in Chicago, is one of North America’s leading branded food companies. Guided by an entrepreneurial spirit, Conagra Brands combines a rich heritage of making great food with a sharpened focus on innovation. The company’s portfolio is evolving to satisfy people’s changing food preferences. Conagra’s iconic brands, such as Birds Eye®, Duncan Hines®, Healthy Choice®, Marie Callender’s®, Reddi-wip®, and Slim Jim®, as well as emerging brands, including Angie’s® BOOMCHICKAPOP®, Duke’s®, Earth Balance®, Gardein®, and Frontera®, offer choices for every occasion. For more information, visit www.ConagraBrands.com.

For all media inquiries, please contact:
Tim Wrona, Conagra Brands
312-549-5400
tim.wrona@conagra.com

SOURCE Conagra Brands, Inc.

Related Links
https://www.conagrafoods.com

COLUMBUS, IN — Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) has a long history of supporting education initiatives in the communities where it operates and is now making efforts to strengthen technical education across the world. The Company recently formed a new coalition for its TEC: Technical Education for Communities program in Izmir, Turkey.

Cummins has entered into a partnership agreement with Schneider Electric and Ege University to support scholarships for students, and lab and equipment purchases to launch the new Mechatronics program at Ege. This is part of a broader coalition to support TEC in Izmir that includes local development agency IZKA and a number of local industry partners.

“Industry, government and civil society have a stake in global education,” said Mark Levett, Vice President Corporate Responsibility, Cummins Inc. and CEO of the Cummins Foundation. “The newly established coalition in Turkey will provide skills training and access to well-paying jobs for program enrollees, including quality jobs for underrepresented groups such as women.”

Employers around the world are experiencing critical shortages of skilled technical workers. At the same time, education programs often fail to teach students the skills needed by employers. And many communities are suffering from widening income inequalities due in part to skill set disparities. Cummins understands that by addressing the skills gap through education and training, the company can make communities stronger and healthier by ensuring people can access quality jobs that are also critical to the success of companies like Cummins.

TEC is a global initiative that targets the technical skills gap through local vocational education programs. TEC delivers a standardized education platform to help education partners develop market-relevant curriculum, teacher training, career guidance and the practical experience needed by students. Currently Cummins has TEC sites in Morocco, Nigeria, India and China and is exploring expansion in South America, Australia, and the Middle East.

Recruitment of female students is a focus at TEC’s Turkey site. With Cummins’ assistance, the Mechatronics program was recently awarded a female student quota from the government — the first of its kind in Turkey.

“The number of female students in technical education is decreasing. Through TEC and similar projects, we can support the development and employment of female students,” said Semih Gunes, Ege Higher Vocational School Manager.

YOK, Turkey’s Council of Higher Education, approved a quota of 50 percent at Ege University in May. The quota will ensure a pipeline of female students into the TEC program in Izmir.

“TEC holds great importance in training female students in Turkey to become qualified technical staff,” said Dr. Candeger Yilmaz, Ege University Rector. “Development of such cooperation is very important to improve the collaboration between the university and industry.”

Levett added, “There are few prior instances of granted quotas for higher education programs in Turkey, and this approval marks both an achievement for TEC and a step toward societal change.”

TEC seeks to partner with business, government and community organizations to increase access to good jobs and develop a stronger and growing employment base in communities across the globe. The support of partners like Schneider Electric and IZKA is critical to this important work.

“This is a leading project that we have given importance and priority that will contribute to creating and enforcing similar cooperation in our region and country,” said Murat Yilmazcoban, General Secretary of IZKA.

All partners participated in a signing ceremony at Ege University on Sept. 29. Representatives from Cummins, Schneider Electric and IZKA spoke during the event. New female students who received scholarships were also recognized for their work.

“It’s great to see a coalition like this come together to address a critical need,” said Gilles Vermot Desroches, Senior VP Sustainability, Schneider Electric, and General Delegate of the Schneider Electric Foundation. “Global companies and organizations who understand that need have a key role to play in finding solutions — it helps our communities and our businesses to be successful.”

About Cummins
Cummins Inc., a global power leader, is a corporation of complementary business units that design, manufacture, distribute and service diesel and natural gas engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission solutions and electrical power generation systems. Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana, (USA) Cummins currently employs approximately 48,000 people worldwide and serves customers in approximately 190 countries and territories through a network of approximately 600 company-owned and independent distributor locations and approximately 6,500 dealer locations. Cummins earned $1.48 billion on sales of $17.3 billion in 2013. Press releases can be found on the Web at www.cummins.com. Follow Cummins on Twitter at @Cummins and on YouTube at CumminsInc.

For the first time, Tesco customers will be asked to choose the charities and environmental organisations that will benefit from an estimated £1.8 million set to be raised from carrier bag charges in Wales and Scotland.
The organisations on the shortlist for Scotland are Love Food Hate Waste, Keep Scotland Beautiful and Groundwork UK. For Wales, the shortlisted charities are Keep Wales Tidy and Groundwork UK.

In June Tesco gave the green light for charities and environmental organisations to submit proposals on how they would use the funds to help make a real difference for the environment and local communities.

120 organisations applied for the Scottish and Welsh partnerships, and they have since been whittled down to the five-strong shortlist.

One organisation will be chosen to partner with Tesco and be the beneficiary of the bag levy for each region. The Scottish levy is expected to be worth around £1 million and the Welsh levy around £800,000.

Greg Sage, Community Director for Tesco said:
“This is a fantastic opportunity for organisations to partner with us and make a real difference to the communities they serve. Our customers are the ones who will pay the charge, so we really wanted them to choose the partners that will benefit from the money.

“Since 2011, the carrier bag levy in Wales has raised over £2.3 million for the local RSPB, which has been used for vital conservation work. We received a huge number of very strong applications from different organiations to be our new partners, and it was a tough job whittling the applications down to just five. It’s now down to our customers to decide who the winners will be.”

Both partnerships will run for an initial period of 12 months from 20 October 2014 to 30 September 2015. The voting process will run for two weeks from today, and the winning organisations will be announced shortly afterwards.

This is courtes of www.tescoplc.com

ST. LOUIS– Delta Health Alliance and Monsanto are teaming up to improve the health of Delta residents in Bolivar and Washington counties, Mississippi. Monsanto Company is providing Delta Health Alliance with a $500,000 grant to carry out a comprehensive program of physical education for children, greater access to farmers markets, community gardens and nutritious food, and an expansion of the popular Imagination Library program.

“Monsanto passionately supports rural communities and the communities where our customers and employees live and work. As a company positioned at the beginning of the food chain, we seek to collaborate with local organizations to make sure everyone has access to an affordable, balanced meal,” said Mike Frank, Monsanto’s Vice President of Global Commercial, at the July 6 check presentation. “Delta Health Alliance proposed an approach that focuses on providing more nutritious food offerings and teaching children how to live a healthier life. We are pleased to partner with them and help fund this robust program.”

A major component of the Delta Health Alliance plan will involve five elementary and middle schools in Washington County (Boyd, Trigg and Webb Elementary Schools in Greenville) and Bolivar County (Ray Brooks in Benoit and McEvans School in Shaw.) The students in these schools will participate in the CATCH (Coordinated Approach to Child Health) Kids Club, which promotes physical activities and nutrition education in an after-school setting. In addition, Delta Health Alliance will work with school officials to increase the amount of physical activity in which students engage during the day. Students will also receive nutrition education for selecting healthy food, reading nutrition labels and goal setting.

According to Marlin Womack, Delta Health Alliance CFO, “We recognize the need to create greater access to nutritious food. The Monsanto grant will enable us to partner with grassroots organizations and faith-based groups to expand farmers markets and community gardens as well as provide students with nutritious food offerings on the weekends. For example, our proposal calls for establishing community gardens next to day care centers and schools.”

Monsanto’s grant will also fund an expansion of the Delta Health Alliance Imagination Library program into Washington and Bolivar counties. This program provides each child from birth to age five with a free book each month. Staff will work with area childcare centers to improve reading comprehension skills by developing reading circles and providing nutritious snacks based on reading books in the Imagination Library program. According to Womack, “Kindergarten readiness tests in pre-reading and pre-math show that children enrolled in Imagination Library are more than twice as prepared to enter kindergarten as students not enrolled in the program.”

Research shows us that improved nutrition and better literacy leads to a healthier population. When children are reached at an early age and families are engaged in changing behavior of the whole household, real improvements in obesity and healthy living can be achieved.

“The health of the people in the communities where Monsanto operates is imperative; they are our employees, their families and our neighbors. We invest in community health and safety initiatives on a global scale,” said Frank.

To learn more about Delta Health Alliance visit www.deltahealthalliance.org.

About Monsanto Company
Monsanto is committed to bringing a broad range of solutions to help nourish our growing world. We produce seeds for fruits, vegetables and key crops – such as corn, soybeans and cotton – that help farmers have better harvests while using water and other important resources more efficiently. We work to find sustainable solutions for soil health, help farmers use data to improve farming practices and conserve natural resources, and provide crop protection products to minimize damage from pests and disease. Through programs and partnerships, we collaborate with farmers, researchers, nonprofit organizations, universities and others to help tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges. To learn more about Monsanto, our commitments and our more than 20,000 dedicated employees, please visit: discover.monsanto.com and monsanto.com. Follow our business on Twitter® at twitter.com/MonsantoCo, on the company blog, Beyond the Rows® at monsantoblog.com or subscribe to our News Release RSS Feed.

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. – Today, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation announced the award of over $6 million in grants to 700 schools, nonprofits and literacy organizations across the 40 states Dollar General (NYSE:DG) serves to support adult, family and summer literacy programs.

“At Dollar General, we are passionate about our mission of Serving Others throughout the communities we serve,” said Rick Dreiling, Dollar General’s chairman and CEO. “It’s exciting to see the Dollar General Literacy Foundation’s outreach in action as we partner with organizations to further education and literacy and make a real difference in people’s lives.”

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is proud to support initiatives that help others improve their lives through literacy and education. Since its inception in 1993, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded more than $92 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than five million individuals take their first steps toward literacy or continued education.

A complete list of grant recipients may be found online at www.dgliteracy.org.

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is also currently accepting applications for youth literacy grants through Thursday, May 22, 2014. Applications may be completed online at www.dgliteracy.org.

For additional information, photographs or other items to supplement a story, please contact the Media Relations Department at 1-877-944-DGPRCall: 1-877-944-DGPR (3477) or via email at pr@dg.com.

About the Dollar General Literacy Foundation
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is proud to support initiatives that help others improve their lives through literacy and education as part of the company’s mission of Serving Others for over 20 years. Since its inception in 1993, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded more than $92 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than five million individuals take their first steps toward literacy or continued education. For more information about the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and its grant programs, visit www.dgliteracy.org.

About Dollar General Corporation
Dollar General Corporation has been delivering value to shoppers for 75 years. Dollar General helps shoppers Save time. Save money. Every day!® by offering products that are frequently used and replenished, such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids, cleaning supplies, basic apparel, house wares and seasonal items at low everyday prices in convenient neighborhood locations. With over 11,000 stores in 40 states, Dollar General has more retail locations than any retailer in America. In addition to high quality private brands, Dollar General sells products from America’s most-trusted manufacturers such as Procter & Gamble, Kimberly-Clark, Unilever, Kellogg’s, General Mills, Nabisco, Hanes, PepsiCo and Coca-Cola. Learn more about Dollar General at www.dollargeneral.com.

MINNEAPOLIS – Thrivent, a Fortune 500 financial services organization, has received the 2024 World’s Most Ethical Companies honor from Ethisphere, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices.

Thrivent has now been recognized for 13 consecutive years and is one of only six honorees in the financial services industry this year. In 2024, 136 honorees were recognized spanning 20 countries and 44 industries.

“Being recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies highlights Thrivent’s commitment to business ethics and integrity,” said Terry Rasmussen, president and CEO of Thrivent. “Our clients, financial advisors and workforce put their trust in Thrivent because of our ethical culture and it’s one of the reasons we’re able to deliver strong results that help people lead lives of service and faith.”

It’s always inspiring to recognize the World’s Most Ethical Companies®. Through the rigorous review process, we see the dedication of these organizations to continually improving their ethics, compliance, and governance practices to the benefit of all stakeholders,” said Erica Salmon Byrne, Ethisphere’s Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Chair. “Companies that elevate best-in-class cultures of ethics and integrity set a standard for corporate citizenship for their peers and competitors to follow. Congratulations to Thrivent for achieving this honor and demonstrating that strong ethics is good business.”

Methodology & Scoring
The World’s Most Ethical Companies assessment is grounded in Ethisphere’s proprietary Ethics Quotient®, an extensive questionnaire that requires companies to provide over 240 different proof points on their culture of ethics; environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices; ethics and compliance program; diversity, equity, & inclusion; and initiatives that support a strong value chain. That data undergoes further qualitative analysis by our panel of experts who spend thousands of hours vetting and evaluating each year’s group of applicants. This process serves as an operating framework to capture and codify truly best-in-class ethics and compliance practices from organizations across industries and from around the world.

Honorees
To view the full list of this year’s honorees, please visit the World’s Most Ethical Companies website, at https://worldsmostethicalcompanies.com/honorees.

About Thrivent
Thrivent is a diversified financial services organization that helps people achieve financial clarity, enabling lives full of meaning and gratitude. Thrivent and its subsidiary and affiliate companies serve more than 2.3 million clients, offering advice, insurance, investments, banking and generosity products and programs online and through financial advisors and independent agents nationwide. Thrivent is a Fortune 500 company with $179 billion in assets under management/advisement (as of 12/31/23). Thrivent carries ratings from independent rating agencies which demonstrate the strength and stability of the organization, including an A++ rating from AM Best; an Aa2 rating from Moody’s Investors Service; and an AA+ rating from S&P Global Ratings. Ratings are based on Thrivent’s financial strength and claims-paying ability, but do not apply to investment product performance. For information on these ratings, visit the rating agency’s website. Dividends are not guaranteed. For more information about Thrivent, visit Thrivent.com or find us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

About Ethisphere
Ethisphere is the global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices that strengthen corporate brands, build trust in the marketplace, deliver business success. Ethisphere has deep expertise in measuring and defining core ethics standards using data-driven insights that help companies build strong cultures of ethics and integrity. Ethisphere honors superior achievement through its World’s Most Ethical Companies® recognition program, provides a community of industry experts with the Business Ethics Leadership Alliance (BELA), and showcases trends and best practices in ethics with Ethisphere Magazine. Ethisphere also advances business performance through data-driven assessments, guidance, and benchmarking against its unparalleled data: the Culture Quotient dataset reflecting the ethical business practices of 3+ million employees around the world; and the Ethics Quotient dataset, featuring 240+ data points on the ethics, compliance, social, and governance practices of the World’s Most Ethical Companies. For more information, visit https://ethisphere.com.

“World’s Most Ethical Companies” and “Ethisphere” names and marks are registered trademarks of Ethisphere LLC. For details, visit worldsmostethicalcompanies.com.

FIFA, WHO, and the European Commission have joined forces, to launch the #SafeHome campaign to support women and children at risk of domestic violence. The campaign is a joint response from the three institutions to the recent spikes in reports of domestic violence as stay-at-home measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have put women and children experiencing abuse at greater risk.

Almost one in three women worldwide experience physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner or sexual violence by someone else in their lifetime. In a majority of cases, that violence is committed by a partner in their home – indeed, up to 38% of all murders of women are committed by an intimate partner. It is also estimated that one billion children aged between two and seventeen years (or half the world’s children) have experienced physical, sexual, or emotional violence or neglect in the past year.

There are many reasons why people perpetrate domestic violence, including gender inequality and social norms that condone violence, childhood experiences of abuse or exposure to violence and coercive control growing up. Harmful use of alcohol can also trigger violence. Stressful situations, such as those being experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic and economic instability, exacerbate the risk. Moreover, the current distancing measures in place in many countries make it harder for women and children to reach out to family, friends and health workers who could otherwise provide support and protection.

“Just as physical, sexual or psychological violence has no place in football, it has no place in the home.” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization. “We are so pleased that our partners today are joining us to draw attention to this critical issue. As people are isolated at home because of COVID-19, the risks of domestic violence have tragically been exacerbated.”.

“Together with the World Health Organization and the European Commission, we are asking the football community to raise awareness to this intolerable situation that threatens particularly women and children in their own home, a place where they should feel happy, safe and secure,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “We cannot stay silent on this issue that negatively affects so many people. Violence has no place in homes, just as it has no place in sports. Football has the power to relay important social messages, and through the #SafeHome campaign, we want to ensure that those people experiencing violence have access to the necessary support services they need.”

“Violence has no place in our societies,” said Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth. “Women’s rights are human rights and should be protected. Often abused women and children are afraid to talk because of fear or shame. This ‘window’ to speak-up and seek help is, during confinement, even more restricted. As a matter of fact , in some countries, we have seen an increase in reports of domestic violence since the outbreak of COVID-19. It is our responsibility as a society, as institutions to speak up for these women. To give them trust and support them. This is the purpose of this joint campaign which I am honoured to be part of.”

“We call upon our member associations to actively publish details of national or local helplines and support services that can help victims and anyone feeling threatened by violence in their locality,” added the FIFA President. “We also call upon our members to review their own safeguarding measures using the FIFA Guardians toolkit to ensure that football is fun and safe for everyone in our game, especially the youngest members of the football family.”

The five-part video awareness campaign features 15 past and present footballers – Álvaro Arbeloa, Rosana Augusto, Vítor Baía, Khalilou Fadiga, Matthias Ginter, David James, Annike Krahn, Marco Materazzi, Milagros Menéndez, Noemi Pascotto, Graham Potter, Mikaël Silvestre, Kelly Smith, Óliver Torres and Clementine Touré – who have stressed their support to addressing this critical issue. The campaign is being published on various FIFA digital channels, with #SafeHome also being supported with multimedia toolkits for the 211 FIFA member associations and for various media agencies to help facilitate additional localisation and to further amplify the message worldwide.

WHO, the United Nations’ specialised health agency, and FIFA, football’s world governing body, collaborate closely to promote healthy lifestyles, which includes being free of violence, through football globally. The two organisations jointly launched the “Pass the message to kick out coronavirus” campaign in March 2020 to share advice on effective measures to protect people from COVID-19. This was followed by the #BeActive campaign in April 2020 to encourage people to stay healthy at home during the pandemic.

Factsheet
According to WHO, violence is a pervasive public health and human rights problem around the world. It affects women, men, boys and girls in all countries and cuts across boundaries of age, race, religion, ethnicity, disability, culture and wealth. Statistically, women and children (both boys and girls) are most affected by violence in the home and it is often perpetrated by men they know and trust.

Data (Source: WHO and others)

Almost one in three women worldwide have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner or sexual violence, not including sexual harassment, by any perpetrator
Globally, 30% of women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime
Globally up to 38% of murders of women are committed by intimate partners
Adolescent girls, young women, women belonging to ethnic and other minorities, transwomen, and women with disabilities face a higher risk of different forms of violence
The majority (55% to 95%) of women survivors of intimate partner violence or sexual violence do not disclose or seek any type of help or services
Being abused as a child or exposed to violence in the family when growing up, attitudes accepting of violence and gender inequality including gender norms increase the risk of perpetrating violence against a partner; in some settings violence is associated with excessive use of alcohol
Globally, over one billion children – over half of all boys and girls aged 2–17 years – experience some form of emotional, physical or sexual violence every year
The lifetime prevalence of childhood sexual abuse is 18% for girls and 8% for boys
Homicide is among the top five causes of death in adolescents, with boys comprising over 80% of victims and perpetrators
Regional statistics also exist. For example in Europe, it is estimated that one in five (20%) children have experienced sexual abuse, and in the WHO European region, a quarter of women (15-49 years) have experienced intimate partner violence in their lifetime. In Latin America and the Caribbean, it is estimated that 58% of children experience sexual, physical or emotional violence each year, and 30% of women have experienced intimate partner violence in their lifetime.

MINNEAPOLIS — A new Thrivent survey reveals over half of widowed women experienced financial challenges after their spouse’s passing, with 51% either living paycheck to paycheck or struggling to manage their bills. A lack of proactive financial planning could be to blame: 41% of the widowed women surveyed said they didn’t have any financial conversations or plans in place prior to their spouse passing away.

“Losing a spouse is one of the hardest things anyone can experience,” said Teresa Powell, Thrivent financial advisor. “Immediately after this terrible loss, many widowed women face a tremendous financial burden without a solid plan in place. While nothing can protect against the heartache of losing a spouse, creating a financial plan with your spouse ahead of time is one of the greatest acts of love you can do for one another.”

Other key findings from Thrivent’s survey underscore why financial preparation is crucial for married couples:

Lack of preparation: A majority of widowed women (60%) reported the loss of their spouse as unexpected. Yet only 29% of all widowed women created a will with their spouse while they were together, 6% regularly met with a financial advisor and 5% had developed a written financial strategy.
Debt dilemma: Debt is one of the top financial challenges facing widowed women. Thirty-nine percent carried over $25,000 in debt immediately following the loss of their spouse, including 10% having over $100,000. Additionally, 71% said losing their spouse made paying off debt moderately or much more difficult, reinforcing how much they may have relied on their spouse for financial support.
Financial uncertainty: Less than half (48%) of widowed women felt prepared to manage their finances after the death of their spouse. Their primary concerns included becoming the sole financial decision-maker or paying monthly bills on time (70%). Many also struggled with budgeting on a reduced household income (44%), managing and paying debt (37%), and continuing to save for retirement on one income (21%).
Immediate financial changes: A majority of widowed women (68%) made immediate changes to their financial activity. Among the most common, 35% of widowed women had to reduce or stop spending on non-essential items or activities, 14% had to pull money from retirement savings to cover expenses, and 11% reduced or stopped contributing to savings.
These findings point to a need for proactive financial planning. A financial advisor can be an important partner in planning for the unexpected and supporting widowed women as they address their immediate financial needs after the death of a spouse.

Here are tips from Thrivent on navigating finances before and after the loss of a spouse:

Start financial conversations early – Couples should openly discuss their financial goals, financial plans and end of life wishes with each other. They should also share their financial documents, records and passwords with their spouse. By taking a proactive approach, surviving spouses will have the information and clarity they need to make smart financial decisions following their loss.
Adopt a change mindset – While people are commonly encouraged not to make major life decisions shortly after losing their spouse, financial changes may be unavoidable. Recognizing this impact and making strategic and thoughtful decisions, with the support of a financial advisor, can help the surviving spouse safeguard their finances now and into the future. Embracing a change mindset can be empowering for widowed women as they navigate their next chapter.
Map out what’s next – After losing a spouse, widowed women often encounter new financial challenges, from how to budget and save on a single income to understanding their new tax filing status and Social Security survivor benefits. A financial advisor can help them map out key financial decisions in the short and long-term and offer tailored advice that meets their needs.
Plan with the right team – Industry research shows an estimated 70% of women leave their financial advisor within the first year of their spouse’s death.1 This underscores the need for couples to work together now to build an experienced team that aligns with their values and helps them navigate complex financial decisions. Ideally, the team should include a financial advisor at the center, with support from an attorney and CPA to advise on legal and tax questions. This helps ensure the surviving spouse is well-positioned to accomplish their future goals.
Survey Methodology
This survey was conducted in May 2024, among a national sample of 422 Female Widows. The aim was to understand the financial preparedness and challenges faced by widows. The interviews were conducted online, and the data were weighted to approximate a target sample of adults in the United States based on gender, education, age, race, and region. Results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points.

1The Future of Wealth is Female: Working with Female Clients Through Their Various Life Journeys

About Thrivent
Thrivent is a diversified financial services organization that helps people achieve financial clarity, enabling lives full of meaning and gratitude. Thrivent and its subsidiary and affiliate companies serve more than 2.3 million clients, offering advice, insurance, investments, banking and generosity products and programs online and through financial advisors and independent agents nationwide. Thrivent is a Fortune 500 company with $179 billion in assets under management/advisement (as of 12/31/23). Thrivent carries ratings from independent rating agencies which demonstrate the strength and stability of the organization, including an A++ rating from AM Best; an Aa2 rating from Moody’s Investors Service; and an AA+ rating from S&P Global Ratings. Ratings are based on Thrivent’s financial strength and claims-paying ability, but do not apply to investment product performance. For information on these ratings, visit the rating agency’s website. Dividends are not guaranteed. For more information about Thrivent, visit Thrivent.com or find us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Insurance products, securities and investment advisory services are provided by appropriately appointed and licensed financial advisors and professionals. Only individuals who are financial advisors are credentialed to provide investment advisory services. Visit Thrivent.com or FINRA’s BrokerCheck for more information about Thrivent’s financial advisors. 

Thrivent and its financial advisors and professionals do not provide legal, accounting or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional.

Thrivent provides advice and guidance through its Financial Planning Framework that generally includes a review and analysis of a client’s financial situation. A client may choose to further their planning engagement with Thrivent through its Dedicated Planning Services (an investment advisory service) that results in written recommendations for a fee.

About Morning Consult 
Morning Consult is a global decision intelligence company changing how modern leaders make smarter, faster, better decisions. The company pairs its proprietary high-frequency data with applied artificial intelligence to better inform decisions on what people think and how they will act. For more information, please visit morningconsult.com. 

VIENNA, June 24, 2022 — Development partners attending the OPEC Fund’s Development Forum in Vienna this week demonstrated their resolve to address urgent global challenges by entering new commitments for financial support and signing cooperation agreements.

Signings and announcements included the following:

The OPEC Fund and the Republic of Kosovo signed a “Framework Agreement for Private Sector Operations,” which aims to strengthen the private sector in Kosovo with a focus on infrastructure, connectivity, energy and water. OPEC Fund Director Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa had visited Kosovo in June and expressed the ambition to deepen the partnership.
The Asian Development Bank and the OPEC Fund launched a trust fund to improve project readiness in developing countries. As a first contribution, the OPEC Fund is committing US$3 million to the fund, which will provide technical assistance to improve the delivery of investment projects through enhanced preparation, design, and procurement.
The OPEC Fund and the regional South American development bank FONPLATA signed a “Cooperation Agreement” to broaden and deepen the partnership through more co-financing of strategic projects in the Latin America and Caribbean region, where FONPLATA operates.
The OPEC Fund is teaming up with the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) to design and deliver a new Climate Finance and Energy Innovation Hub, which is set to be launched at the UN climate conference COP27 in Egypt in November. Designed as a global end-to-end policy and finance platform, this hub will harness the power of financial innovation to source, unlock, de-risk and scale-up investments in energy access and transition. Recognizing the crucial role of clean cooking the OPEC Fund is earmarking US$100 million in support of relevant projects in DRC, Madagascar, Malawi, and Rwanda as part of the initiative.
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the OPEC Fund signed a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate access to innovative financing solutions, unlock investment and support project development to advance renewable energy investment and enable access to sustainable finance in emerging and developing economies.
OPEC Fund Director-General Dr. Alkhalifa said: “These new commitments and signings are a declaration of our intent to join forces in the face of unprecedented challenges. One clear takeaway from our event was the need for urgent, targeted and joint action in areas such as climate change, energy access and food supply. We are very encouraged by the success and positive momentum generated at our Forum which provides the energy to move forward swiftly and forcefully.”

The OPEC Fund Development Forum “Driving Resilience & Equity” gathered government leaders, ministers from OPEC Fund member and partner countries, heads of the Arab Coordination Group institutions, senior officials of multilateral development banks and international organizations as well as private sector representatives. The event included panels on “Climate Challenges vs Energy Needs – Development Perspectives,” “Innovations that Enable a Smart Energy Future,” and “Turning Public Ambition into Effective Action,” and closed with a conversation on “South-South Co-ownership in Development Progress.”

The date of the 2023 OPEC Fund Development Forum will be announced shortly.

About the OPEC Fund

The OPEC Fund for International Development (the OPEC Fund) is the only globally mandated development institution that provides financing from member countries to non-member countries exclusively. The organization works in cooperation with developing country partners and the international development community to stimulate economic growth and social progress in low- and middle-income countries around the world. The OPEC Fund was established by the member countries of OPEC in 1976 with a distinct purpose: to drive development, strengthen communities and empower people. Our work is people-centered, focusing on financing projects that meet essential needs, such as food, energy, infrastructure, employment (particularly relating to MSMEs), clean water and sanitation, healthcare and education. To date, the OPEC Fund has committed more than US$22 billion to development projects in over 125 countries with an estimated total project cost of US$187 billion. The OPEC Fund is rated AA+/Outlook Stable by Fitch and AA/Positive Outlook by S&P in 2021. Our vision is a world where sustainable development is a reality for all.

SOURCE OPEC Fund for International Development

CONTACT: Basak Pamir, +43151564174, b.pamir@opecfund.org

CINCINNATI, The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced that it has donated more than 50 million pounds of fresh meat, produce, dairy and bakery items to local Feeding America food banks in 2013 through its groundbreaking Perishable Donations Partnership. That is enough bread, meat, cheese and produce to lay 3,700 miles of Kroger’s classic deli sandwiches side-by-side from Washington, D.C. through Houston to southern Oregon.
This also equates to more than 25,000 tons of perishable food waste diverted away from landfills and incinerators last year.

Coinciding with Hunger Action Month, Feeding America’s month-long campaign to inspire individuals to take action to help end hunger in their communities, Kroger is raising awareness about food insecurity with customers and associates throughout September through social media, store signage and more.

Perishable Donations Partnership
Kroger’s Fred Meyer division pioneered the Perishable Donations Partnership about ten years ago. Stores partnered with local food banks in the Pacific Northwest to collect fresh food and properly store it so it could be quickly shipped to reach hungry families. Kroger adopted Fred Meyer’s model and worked with Feeding America to develop food safety and quality control standards, and trained associates to facilitate the program in their stores.

Scaled across Kroger’s family of stores beginning in 2008, Kroger’s Perishable Donations Partnership program depends on store associates taking the time every day to identify meat, produce, dairy and bakery items that can no longer be sold yet remain safe, fresh and nutritious complements to dry goods donations to food banks.

“Our associates bring our Perishable Donations Program to life,” said Lynn Marmer, Kroger’s group vice president of corporate affairs. “Every day in our stores, individual associates rescue healthy, nutritious fruits, vegetables and proteins to be quickly distributed to feed hungry families through Feeding America’s network of food banks.”

As a founding partner of Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger agency, Kroger has been engaged in the hunger relief effort for more than 30 years. Today, the Kroger family of stores has longstanding relationships with more than 100 local food banks. The company’s total contribution to food banks exceeds 200 million meals annually – or four million meals every week – when combining perishable foods, dry goods, and funds.

For more on Kroger’s year-round effort to alleviate hunger, please visit www.BringingHopeToTheTable.com.

Kroger, one of the world’s largest retailers, employs more than 375,000 associates who serve customers in 2,640 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 34 states and the District of Columbia under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Harris Teeter, Jay C, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith’s. The company also operates 786 convenience stores, 320 fine jewelry stores, 1,240 supermarket fuel centers and 37 food processing plants in the U.S. Recognized by Forbes as the most generous company in America, Kroger supports hunger relief, breast cancer awareness, the military and their families, and more than 30,000 schools and grassroots organizations.

GLENDALE, Calif., April 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Front Porch and Covia announced their affiliation today, completing a process that brings two successful California non-profit organizations together under a single management team and governance, as Front Porch. The new organization supports 54 communities, 3,000 employees, 7,500 residents, and more than 6,000 participants in programs and services nationwide.

“This affiliation combines outstanding people and resources from across California and beyond. Our expanded scale, flexibility, and resources further improve our stability, particularly during periods of volatility,” said John Woodward, CEO of Front Porch since 2015. “Our combined expertise will better meet the needs of current and future residents as we stay ahead of trends and anticipate changing market conditions.”

As its first action, the newly organized Front Porch board of directors, drawn from both Covia and Front Porch, approved updated mission, vision and core values for the unified organization. “Covia and Front Porch decided to affiliate with the belief that we are better together,” said board member Vince Forte. “We look forward to fulfilling our vision to empower individuals to live connected and fulfilled lives through community and innovation.”

Headquartered in Glendale, California, Front Porch has 51 communities throughout the state, stretching from Santa Rosa to San Diego, and one each in Florida, Louisiana, and Arizona. The organization also serves people throughout the United States through community services and other programs.

Board members who have been working towards this affiliation see tremendous potential in the new organization. Prior to beginning affiliation discussions in late 2019, Front Porch and Covia already had a strong working relationship, as Covia’s Resident Service Coordinators provide support for Front Porch’s CARING Housing Ministries.

“With this affiliation Front Porch will be stronger in an evolving marketplace and will increase our ability to support service and community growth,” said board member Oliver Wesson. “The affiliation increases access to financial capital to support timely modernization of communities and services as well as investments in technology, innovation and growth.”

About Front Porch:
Front Porch is an innovative not-for-profit family of companies and communities, dedicated to doing everything Humanly Possible® to meet the dynamic interests and changing needs of the many people we serve. Our mission is to inspire and build community, cultivating meaningful relationships and experiences that respond creatively to changing needs. Learn more at frontporch.net.

NEW YORK, NY — GameStop Corp., a global family of specialty retail brands that makes the most popular technologies affordable and simple, today announced a partnership with Autism Speaks, the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization. Taking place throughout Autism Awareness Month, April 1 – 30, GameStop and its family of brands will participate in a fundraising and awareness campaign to benefit Autism Speaks.

This is GameStop’s first time partnering with Autism Speaks to conduct an in-store and online donation campaign. Customers at the company’s GameStop, Spring Mobile AT&T and Cricket Wireless, Simply Mac and ThinkGeek retail stores will have the opportunity to donate to Autism Speaks at point-of-purchase. The campaign will be supported by specialized in-store and online promotional materials, and online outreach through GameStop’s mobile gaming division, Kongregate, and gaming magazine, Game Informer.

“We are proud to partner with Autism Speaks this April,” said Matt Hodges, vice president of public and investor relations. “This partnership is extra special to the GameStop family. Many of our associates and customers have shared how the video game and technology products we sell have helped them have a meaningful relationship with their child who has autism. We look forward to a successful campaign and helping those families impacted by autism.”

This initiative is supported by GameStop’s passionate store associates, who are committed to giving back to the communities in which they work, live and play. As a ‘thank you’ to those customers who donate $1 or more, GameStop is offering triple PowerUp Rewards points on the donation amount.

“We are thrilled to see the world of gaming and technology embrace autism,” said Autism Speaks Vice President of Corporate Development Peter Morton. “We are grateful for this partnership since GameStop’s campaign will raise awareness of autism across the country.”

The donations raised through the GameStop campaign will help fund the Autism Speaks Family Services iPad Grant program, which provides iPads to financially disadvantaged children and adults with autism. iPads have become valuable tools for many people on the autism spectrum, allowing them to access apps that help advance communication and learning skills. Autism Speaks has donated more than 4,000 iPads to recipients across the country since in 2012.

In addition, the money raised will also fund the research and science program at Autism Speaks, which enables the development of technological advances that improve the health and quality of life for individuals with autism and their families.

Since its inception in 2005, Autism Speaks has committed more than $570 million to its mission, the majority going toward science and medical research.

To find your local GameStop, Simply Mac, Spring Mobile AT&T, or ThinkGeek stores, visit www.gamestop.com, www.simplymac.com, www.springmobile.com, or www.thinkgeek.com. To learn more about Autism Speaks, visit: autismspeaks.org.

About Autism
Autism is a general term used to describe a group of complex developmental brain disorders — autism spectrum disorders — caused by a combination of genes and environmental influences. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by communication difficulties, social and behavioral challenges, and repetitive behaviors. An estimated 1 in 68 children in the U.S. is on the autism spectrum.

About Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization. It is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism. Since its inception, Autism Speaks has committed more than $570 million to its mission, the majority in science and medical research. On the global front, Autism Speaks has established partnerships in more than 70 countries on five continents to foster international research, services and awareness. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit AutismSpeaks.org.

About GameStop Corp.
GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Grapevine, Texas, is a global, multichannel video game, consumer electronics and wireless services retailer. GameStop operates more than 7,100 stores across 14 countries. The company’s consumer product network also includes www.gamestop.com; www.Kongregate.com, a leading browser-based game site; Game Informer® magazine, the world’s leading print and digital video game publication; and ThinkGeek, www.thinkgeek.com, the premier retailer for the global geek community featuring exclusive and unique video game and pop culture products. In addition, our Technology Brands segment includes Simply Mac and Spring Mobile stores. Simply Mac, www.simplymac.com, operates 76 stores, selling the full line of Apple products, including laptops, tablets, and smartphones and offering Apple certified warranty and repair services. Spring Mobile, http://springmobile.com, sells post-paid AT&T services and wireless products through its 890 AT&T branded stores and offers pre-paid wireless services, devices and related accessories through its 70 Cricket branded stores in select markets in the U.S.

[Rangoon, Burma] – Today at a signing ceremony attended by U.S. Ambassador to Burma, Derek J. Mitchell, and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)/Burma Mission Director, Chris Milligan, Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) announced that the company is partnering with USAID to invest in the social and economic growth of Burma. By producing its products from two factories in Rangoon, Gap Inc. becomes the first American retailer to enter the Burma market. The company’s partnership with USAID will help lay the foundation for Gap Inc. to provide growth and economic opportunities for women in the country.

The garment industry stands poised to become a significant source of jobs, exports and opportunity for the people of Burma. Similar to its entry into other new markets over the past few decades, Gap Inc. is applying industry-leading best practices, which include audits by a well-respected non-governmental organization, to ensure that internationally recognized human rights and labor standards are upheld in the factories from which the company is sourcing.

As part of this commitment, Gap Inc. will partner with CARE International in Burma to deliver its award-winning women’s advancement program, P.A.C.E. (Personal Advancement & Career Enhancement), in the factories in which it does business by the end of this year, and in select communities where CARE is involved. Started in 2007, P.A.C.E. aims to promote the advancement of female garment workers by providing life skills education and technical training to help them become more successful both personally and professionally.

Through its partnership with USAID, Gap Inc. will work with Indiana University and Hewlett-Packard (HP) to further expand the P.A.C.E. Community Program. By leveraging their shared knowledge and expertise, the partnership will recruit and engage participants in HP LIFE Centers in multiple communities throughout the country.

“USAID is pleased to partner with Gap Inc., one of America’s leading corporations, to improve the economic well-being of the people of Burma. Through partnerships, such as this one today, we are working together to ensure that communities benefit from an economy reentering the international marketplace. Through this effort and other initiatives, we are encouraging responsible investment to improve the welfare of all people of this country,” said Chris Milligan, USAID/Burma Mission Director.

These efforts are consistent with Gap Inc.’s efforts to improve working conditions and build local capacity in garment factories around the world.

“This is a historic moment for Burma and we are committed to working with the U.S. government and local government alongside local and international NGOs, to help create the economic opportunities that the citizens of Burma so richly deserve. By entering Burma, we hope to help accelerate economic and social growth in the country, and build on our track record of improving working conditions and building local capacity in garment factories around the world,” said Wilma Wallace, Vice President, Global Responsibility, Business and Human Rights, Gap Inc.

Gap Inc.’s decision to source garments from Burma was taken after a rigorous due diligence process which saw the company engaging extensively with US government officials, industry and union representatives and international and local NGOs in Burma in order to better understand the opportunities and challenges of doing business in the country.

As part of the company’s commitment to transparency, Gap Inc. will voluntarily disclose and publish information about its practices in Burma consistent with the United States Government’s reporting procedures. Gap Inc.’s vendors in Burma will be bound by the company’s Code of Vendor Conduct.

Gap Inc. clothing made in Burma will be available in stores this summer.

About Gap Inc.
Gap Inc. is a leading global retailer offering clothing, accessories, and personal care products for men, women, and children under the Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime, Athleta, and Intermix brands. Fiscal year 2013 net sales were $16.1 billion. Gap Inc. products are available for purchase in more than 90 countries worldwide through about 3,100 company-operated stores, over 350 franchise stores, and e-commerce sites. For more information, please visit www.gapinc.com.

About P.A.C.E.
Launched in 2007, Gap Inc.’s P.A.C.E. program creates opportunities for women to advance in their careers and personal lives. The garment industry is one of the world’s largest employers of low-skilled women workers. Despite their large numbers in the workforce, relatively few female garment workers advance to management positions, as many do not have access to the education and training that will propel their professional advancement. Research shows that P.A.C.E. graduates have lower rates of absenteeism, advance faster in the workplace and are more productive than factory workers who do not participate in the program. Not only do the women participating benefit from the program, but the factories also benefit by developing a more skilled and reliable workforce.

P.A.C.E. was designed and developed in partnership with Swasti Health Resources and the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW). CARE International is a key implementing partner. To date, more than 25,000 female garment workers have participated in the program in 7 countries.

For more information on Gap Inc.’s P.A.C.E. program and other community investments, please visit www.gapinc.com/socialresponsibility.

About USAID
USAID is the lead U.S. Government agency that works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realize their potential.

SEATTLE, — Giving has a way of making people feel good. Now, when you purchase a Nordstrom Gift Card, you can feel even better about the gift you give because Nordstrom is donating one percent of every Gift Card sale to local nonprofits in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada.

“As a company we’ve focused on giving back to the communities that support us, so we’re really excited that through this new gift card giving program, we have an even bigger opportunity to do more,” said Jamie Nordstrom, president of stores for Nordstrom, Inc. “When a customer buys a gift card this Mother’s Day and beyond, we hope they’ll feel good knowing that the gift they’re giving is a part of Nordstrom helping some great non-profit organizations do amazing things for their communities.”

Nordstrom will use funds from gift card sales to support two giving programs: Nordstrom-directed corporate contributions and a newly-launched Employee Charitable Match program. Each year for the last 40-plus years, hundreds of organizations (from thousands that apply) are selected to receive cash grants from Nordstrom. Though the company supports a variety of programs and organizations, it primarily focuses its giving on efforts aimed at taking care of kids and empowering youth. Funds from the Nordstrom Gift Card program will also support the company’s new Employee Charitable Match program. Launching in summer 2015, the program will provide employees who have been at the company for one year with $5,000 annually to match their personal donations to qualified non-profit organizations.

“Giving back to the communities we serve has long been a tradition for us here at Nordstrom,” Nordstrom continued. “Tying our company’s commitment to giving back to our gift cards is a great way for us to further demonstrate to our customers, our employees and those who receive a Nordstrom Gift Card that we are a company that is invested in the long term health of our communities. We can’t wait to see how our efforts are making an impact, hopefully for years to come.”

To buy a Nordstrom gift card, visit nordstrom.com/giftcard. To learn more about organizations Nordstrom supports, the online application process for donations and other ways the company gives back, visit nordstromcares.com.

About Nordstrom
Nordstrom, Inc. is a leading fashion specialty retailer based in the U.S. Founded in 1901 as a shoe store in Seattle, today Nordstrom operates 299 stores in 38 states and Canada. Customers are served at 116 Nordstrom stores in the U.S. and two in Canada; 173 Nordstrom Rack stores; two Jeffrey boutiques; and one clearance store. Additionally, customers are served online through Nordstrom.com, Nordstromrack.com and HauteLook. The company also owns Trunk Club, a personalized clothing service serving customers online at TrunkClub.com and its five clubhouses. Nordstrom, Inc.’s common stock is publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol JWN.

Montvale, NJ – GIVING MOORE, a foundation of Benjamin Moore & Co., and The American Institute of Architects Foundation today announced its 2017 Diversity Advancement Scholarship program. The scholarship provides assistance to individuals from a minority race or ethnicity pursuing a professional degree in architecture recognized by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). Two students will be selected to win one $5,000 scholarship each in 2017 and an additional $5,000 each per year for up to five years of their undergraduate architectural studies.

Qualified high school seniors planning to attend school for architecture and first-year college students currently enrolled in a NAAB-accredited architecture program are encouraged to apply. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and will be required to provide two examples of their creative work, high school transcripts, a personal essay and two letters of recommendation, among other requirements. To apply, visit http://www.architectsfoundation.org/education/the-diversity-advancement-scholarship/. Winners will be notified in April 2017.

“Benjamin Moore & Co. and the GIVING MOORE Foundation are committed to supporting education initiatives for students of interior design and architecture,” said Mike Searles, CEO of Benjamin Moore & Co. and Chairman of GIVING MOORE. “We are thrilled to partner once again with The American Institute of Architects Foundation and fund the Diversity Advancement Scholarship program. We look forward to seeing all that these students bring from their diverse backgrounds to a field that is changing the landscape of North America.”

“The American Institute of Architects Foundation is grateful for the support of GIVING MOORE in funding the Diversity Advancement Scholarships,” said Jeff Potter, Foundation Board President of the Fellowship in the American Institute of Architects. “The program was launched in 1970 and it is because of partners like GIVING MOORE that we have been able to provide 2,300 minority architectural students with financial assistance over the last 46 years.”

For the second year, GIVING MOORE has supported three Diversity Advancement Scholarship recipients. Additionally, GIVING MOORE is continuing its support of the 2015 winners and they will be provided financial assistance throughout the remaining time in their current five-year programs. To learn more about the Diversity Advancement Scholarship program and how to apply please visit www.architectsfoundation.org/education.

About Benjamin Moore
Benjamin Moore & Co., a Berkshire Hathaway company, was founded in 1883. One of North America’s leading manufacturers of premium quality residential, commercial and industrial maintenance coatings, Benjamin Moore & Co. maintains a relentless commitment to innovation and sustainable manufacturing practices. The Benjamin Moore premium portfolio spans the brand’s flagship paint lines including Aura®, Regal® Select, Natura®, and ben®. The Benjamin Moore & Co. Family of Brands includes specialty and architectural paints from Coronado®, Lenmar® and Insl-x®. Benjamin Moore & Co. coatings are available primarily from its more than 5,000 locally owned and operated paint and decorating retailers.

Charitable Giving at Benjamin Moore & Co.
Benjamin Moore & Co. and GIVING MOORE, a Foundation of Benjamin Moore & Co., are committed to the communities they serve. Together their giving is driven by two guiding principles inclusive of fostering and preserving the value of home and building sustainable communities. Through financial and in-kind donations, the company and GIVING MOORE are able to support numerous national and regional nonprofits that embody these core values including AIA Architects Foundation, Gary Sinise Foundation, Historic House Trust, The Mission Continues and YouthBuild®, among others. Additionally, teams of Benjamin Moore employee volunteers give thousands of hours each year to charities across North America.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA – June 19, 2014 – Today, Google is joining with supporters, including Chelsea Clinton, Girls Inc., Girl Scouts of the USA, Mindy Kaling, MIT Media Lab, National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT), Seventeen and TechCrunch, to kick off Made with Code. The initiative will aim to inspire millions of girls to learn to code, and to help them see coding as a means to pursue their dream careers.

“Coding is a new literacy and it gives people the potential to create, innovate and quite literally change the world,” said Susan Wojcicki, CEO of YouTube. “We’ve got to show all girls that computer science is an important part of their future, and that it’s a foundation to pursue their passions, no matter what field they want to enter. Made with Code is a great step toward doing that.”

Made with Code includes:
Blockly-based coding projects like designing a bracelet 3D printed by Shapeways, learning to create animated GIFs or building beats for a music track.
Video profiles of girls and women who explain how they’re using code to do what they love — in fashion, music, dance, animation, cancer research and more.
A resource directory for parents and girls to find more information about new local events, camps, classes and clubs.
Collaborations with organizations like Girl Scouts of the USA and Girls, Inc. to introduce Made with Code to girls in their networks, encouraging them to complete their first coding experience.
All of this attempts to solve a fast-growing problem in computer science. “I think coding is cool, but most girls don’t. Less than 1 percent of high school girls see computer science as part of their future,” said Mindy Kaling, the actress, comedian and writer. “Made with Code lets girls see coding not just as something they can do, but something they’d love to do.”

“When I received my first computer in the mid-80s, women comprised 37 percent of CS graduates. Today, despite ever-increasing job opportunities, it’s less than 16 percent. We need to help girls see themselves as the next generation of coders, and, with efforts like Made with Code and the No Ceilings Initiative, make sure there’s full participation in technology’s future.” — Chelsea Clinton, Vice Chair of the Clinton Foundation.

Google is also committing $50 million over three years to support programs working to increase gender diversity in CS. We’re piloting a project with DonorsChoose.org to reward teachers that support girls who take CS courses on Codecademy or Khan Academy. We’re also working with the Science and Entertainment Exchange to encourage more female engineer characters depicted family TV and film. This is just a first step, and it builds on the $40 million we’ve invested since 2010 in organizations like Code.org, Black Girls Code, Technovation and Girls Who Code.

These efforts are based on Google’s new nationwide research, which shows that CS exposure is crucial in pre-college years, parental encouragement is key and that girls who have positive perceptions of CS as a career, and understand its potential for social impact, are much more likely to pursue it.

“The numbers hurt: Women constitute more than half of the professional workforce, but only a quarter of workforce in tech,” said Lucy Sanders, CEO, and co-founder of NCWIT. “It’s a problem, bordering on a crisis. We won’t solve it easily, or quickly. But Made with Code is a great step in the direction of reversing this trend, and getting more and more girls to use coding to accomplish amazing things by doing what they love.”

Made with Code kicks off tonight with an event in New York City where over 100 teenage girls from local organizations and public schools will work on coding projects and witness first-hand how women use code in their dream jobs, like Danielle Feinberg (Pixar), Miral Kotb (iLuminate Dance Technology) and Erica Kochi (UNICEF’s Innovation Unit). The event will also feature girl coders like Brittany Wenger who’s using code to fight cancer.

Supporters of and organizations involved with Made with Code include: Adafruit, American School Counselor Association, Black Girls Code, Code.org, Codecademy, Computer Science Teachers Association, DonorsChoose.org, Girls Inc., Girl Scouts of the USA, Girls Who Code, iLuminate, KIPP Schools, littleBits, National Association for College Admission Counseling, National Coalition of Girls’ Schools, National Center for Women & Information Technology, Mindy Kaling, MIT Media Lab, Mozilla Webmaker, PSTA, Seventeen, Shapeways, Sew Electric, Seventeen, Shapeways, Teach for America, TechCrunch, Technovation Challenge, and U.S. Fund for UNICEF.

This news is courtesy of www.google.com

ATLANTA, Aug. 8, 2022 — Habitat for Humanity International has partnered with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a program that aims to increase affordable homeownership opportunities among the veteran population in the U.S.

Veterans who are enrolled in Habitat’s Veterans Build program at affiliates in Saginaw, Mich., Mingo County, W. Va., and Will and DuPage counties, Ill., and the HUD-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program will be able to use their HUD-VASH housing choice rental assistance voucher to partially subsidize homeownership expenses for up to 10 or 15 years depending on the mortgage term of their affordable home build. As part of the pilot, the VA will provide ongoing case management and clinical services to enrolled veterans to help prevent future housing and personal crises.

“The transition from military life to civilian life can be challenging for veterans. A struggle to adjust, or difficulty obtaining essentials such as housing, employment, education, and healthcare, can lead to homelessness, unemployment, or living with chronic health conditions,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “At Habitat, we know that decent and affordable housing provides tremendous social and economic benefit. Veterans have sacrificed so much to serve our country. It is incumbent on us to serve them by helping them find long-term stability through safe and affordable shelter.”

The National Low-Income Housing Coalition previously estimated that more than 25 percent of veteran households in the U.S., are cost burdened. Of those, an estimated 1.5 million are severely cost burdened, spending more than 50 percent of their income on housing.

Habitat’s Veterans Build program seeks to address that problem by partnering with veterans and their families to improve their lives through new home construction, critical home repairs, community engagement and education, job training and employment opportunities.

“President Biden declared that America’s sacred obligation is to ensure troops sent into harm’s way are prepared, and veterans and their families are cared for when they return home,” said Monica Diaz, executive director of the Veterans Health Administration Homeless Programs Office. “This partnership will be integral in fulfilling this obligation and improving the lives of thousands of veterans and their families. Every individual who has served our country deserves a safe, stable place to call home.”

About Habitat for Humanity
Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity found its earliest inspirations as a grassroots movement on an interracial community farm in south Georgia. Since its founding in 1976, the Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S. and in more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org.

SOURCE Habitat for Humanity International

CONTACT: Erika Boyce, Habitat for Humanity International, (404) 420-6732, newsroom@habitat.org, habitat.org/newsroom

(Conshohocken, PA – IKEA US is pleased to announce today that 42 charities across the U.S. will be receiving IKEA makeover and product donations as a result of winning this year’s IKEA Life Improvement Challenge. Additionally 60 other charities, who were first and second runner ups, will win IKEA gift cards.

IKEA wants to play a part in creating a better life for the many people, as well as communities touched by IKEA business. While IKEA works on a global level to improve the lives of people in developing countries, IKEA also wants to be a good neighbor in its local communities. The IKEA Life Improvement Co-worker challenge is one way to make a difference closer to home.

How the IKEA Life Improvement Challenge Works:
Each year, IKEA receives many inspiring proposals from IKEA co-workers as candidates for the campaign. Then the IKEA steering committee – at each store – selects up to three organizations for co-workers and customers to vote online (this year’s voting period was February 16 – March 2). The charitable organization, from each store market, with the highest number of online votes becomes the winner, and the 2nd and 3rd place winners receive IKEA gift cards.

Two of this year’s 42 winners are listed below as good examples of just how meaningful these charities are as well as the impact of these makeovers:

The Center for Habilitation (TCH), Tempe, Arizona
TCH provides services that support, care for, and empower children and adults with developmental and physical disabilities. Their classrooms are used for participant dining, arts and crafts, and leisure time. TCH needs new furnishings in these spaces that are more comfortable, inviting, and functional. A makeover of these spaces will provide a better visual representation of TCH’s mission, as well as improving the common space for the participants and staff.

Burbank Community Day School, Burbank, California
Burbank Community Day School provides a supportive atmosphere for students grades 7-12 who are having difficulties with behavior, attendance, and/or grades; with the goal of students returning to comprehensive school. They also have a garden that students maintain with a senior artist colony. A makeover of the kitchen will give students a better space to cook what they grow. These changes would include a prep area and storage for the cooked food and vegetables.

IKEA US started the IKEA Life Improvement Challenge in 2011, and since then over 120 local charities have received over $1 million in IKEA products, design expertise, and manpower.

About IKEA Group
The IKEA vision is to create a better everyday life for the many people. Our business idea supports this vision by offering a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible will be able to afford them. There are currently 315 IKEA Group stores in 28 countries. Additionally, there are 40 IKEA stores run by franchises. There are 40 IKEA stores in the US. In FY 14, IKEA Group had 716 million visitors to the stores and 1.5 billion visitors to IKEA.com. IKEA incorporates sustainability into day-to-day business and supports initiatives that benefit children and the environment. For more information, please visit www.IKEA.com, facebook.com/IKEAUSA, @IKEAUSANews, @IKEAUSA, http://pinterest.com/IKEAUSA/, www.youtube.com/IKEAUSA, www.theshare-space.com, www.theshare-space.com/en/Blog

MINNEAPOLIS – Thrivent, a Fortune 500 diversified financial services organization, continues to receive strong ratings from AM Best, S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s Investor’s Service, affirming the organization’s ongoing financial strength and stability:

AM Best has affirmed Thrivent’s A++ (Superior) rating and stable outlook, the highest of the agency’s 13 rating categories. In its review, AM Best recognized Thrivent for continuing to maintain its balance sheet strength and stability, strong operating performance, favorable business profile and very strong enterprise risk management. It also noted Thrivent’s high-quality capital structure, which doesn’t utilize permitted practices, financial leverage, financial reinsurance or affiliated captives to house redundant reserves, and cited Thrivent’s diversified and well-managed product portfolio, loyal membership base and continued efforts to grow as positive factors.
S&P Global Ratings recently affirmed Thrivent’s AA+ (Very Strong) rating and stable outlook, the second highest of the agency’s 20 rating categories, Thrivent’s controlled distribution force, better-than-peer persistency ratio, strong competitive position, and excellent capital adequacy were highlighted as key strengths.
Finally, Moody’s Investor’s Service issued a continuation of Thrivent’s Aa2 (Excellent) rating and stable outlook, the third highest of the agency’s 21 rating categories. Moody’s cited Thrivent’s excellent financial profile, which is supported by strong capitalization, good financial flexibility and stable cash flow from its in-force life insurance and annuity businesses, as well as good profitability, consistent investment performance, and excellent capital levels.
“Thrivent continues to receive strong ratings because of the disciplined approach we take to managing our business. This is particularly significant in light of the changing economic and interest rate environment,” said David Royal, chief financial and investment officer at Thrivent. “These ratings reflect our commitment to maintaining our financial strength and stability so we can continue to fulfill our promises to clients for years to come. It’s our privilege to manage our clients’ assets and make business decisions that put their needs at the center.”

About Thrivent
Thrivent is a diversified financial services organization that helps people achieve financial clarity, enabling lives full of meaning and gratitude. Thrivent and its subsidiary and affiliate companies serve more than 2.3 million clients, offering advice, insurance, investments, banking and generosity products and programs online and through financial advisors and independent agents nationwide. Thrivent is a Fortune 500 company with $162 billion in assets under management/advisement (as of 12/31/22). Thrivent carries ratings from independent rating agencies which demonstrate the strength and stability of the organization, including an A++ rating from AM Best; an Aa2 rating from Moody’s Investors Service; and an AA+ rating from S&P Global Ratings. Ratings are based on Thrivent’s financial strength and claims-paying ability, but do not apply to investment product performance. For information on these ratings, visit the rating agency’s website. Dividends are not guaranteed. For more information about Thrivent, visit Thrivent.com or find us on Facebook and Twitter.

Following is UN Secretary‑General Ban Ki‑moon’s message for International Human Solidarity Day, to be observed on 20 December:

This year’s observance of International Human Solidarity Day comes as the world shapes a new sustainable development agenda to succeed the Millennium Development Goals, the largest anti-poverty campaign in history, by 2015.

Member States, the United Nations system, experts, representatives of civil society, business executives and millions of individuals from all corners of the globe, have come together with a shared sense of purpose to make the most of this once-in-a-generation opportunity.

The new agenda will centre on people and planet. It will be underpinned by human rights and supported by a global partnership determined to lift people from poverty, hunger and disease. It will be built on a foundation of global cooperation and solidarity.

The United Nations believes that solidarity with people affected by poverty and an absence of human rights is vital. Based on equality, inclusion and social justice, solidarity implies a mutual obligation across the global community.

As we map our future development path, we must be firm in our commitment to champion solidarity and shared responsibility as part of the sustainable development agenda. These are fundamental values that must be upheld.

Only through collective action can we address such far-reaching issues as poverty and growing inequality, climate change, chronic poverty and major health challenges, such as the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

On International Human Solidarity Day, I call for a renewed commitment to collective action. Let us act together as one to end poverty, achieve shared prosperity and peace, protect the planet and foster a life of dignity for all.

NEW YORK, NY — JetBlue Airways (NASDAQ: JBLU) today announces a partnership with the Surfrider Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s oceans and beaches. JetBlue will provide the Foundation with air travel to help support beach cleanups and conservation work throughout the U.S., Caribbean and Latin America.

Nearly 75% of JetBlue’s destinations are on or near shorelines that support local economies, often through tourism related to beaches and oceans. JetBlue is a leading airline in the Caribbean offering nonstop service to 25 destinations across the region. The region now makes up one-third of the airline’s route network. Therefore, the environmental health and natural appearance of destinations’ shorelines have a direct impact on the airline’s core business.

“With destinations along the coasts of the U.S., the Caribbean and Latin America, many places in which we have active Surfrider Chapter volunteers, JetBlue supports our mission and desire to protect ocean and beach environments,” says Laura Lee, the Surfrider Foundation’s director of marketing and communications.

“Too often business and media position sustainability and profit against each other,” said James Hnat, general counsel, JetBlue Airways. “At JetBlue, we know that part of customer demand for our product is directly tied to the appeal of clean beaches and oceans. They are often the main draw for many destinations. This partnership with the Surfrider Foundation is an example of how a business can protect profit by protecting nature.”

JetBlue’s sustainability team is focused on connecting revenue and conservation, proving that corporate responsibility pays dividends. The airline recently teamed up with The Ocean Foundation, a Clinton Global Initiative partner, in addition to the Surfrider Foundation, to explore novel approaches to ocean health in the Caribbean.

“Sustainability cannot be ‘a nice thing to do,'” said Sophia Mendelsohn, head of sustainability, JetBlue Airways. “A company’s sustainability plans have to be integral to business in order to change business, or we will all be stuck with the status quo, and increasingly contaminated beaches.”

JetBlue is working with The Ocean Foundation to show the economic value of clean beaches by directly tying the importance of nature to the airline’s main economic measure — revenue per available seat mile (RASM). This work will also benefit the Surfrider Foundation as all three organizations have a joint goal of attaching actual dollar values to pristine shorelines. JetBlue ultimately seeks to strengthen business interest in protecting the destinations and ecosystems in the Caribbean. Together with The Ocean Foundation and the Surfrider Foundation, JetBlue is developing a plan to preserve and protect these areas.

About the Surfrider Foundation:
The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches through a powerful activist network. Founded in 1984 by a handful of visionary surfers in Malibu, California, the Surfrider Foundation now maintains over 250,000 supporters, activists and members worldwide. For more information on the Surfrider Foundation, visit www.surfrider.org.

ABOUT JETBLUE AIRWAYS
JetBlue is New York’s Hometown Airline, and a leading carrier in Boston, Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood, Los Angeles (Long Beach), Orlando, and San Juan. JetBlue carries more than 30 million customers a year to 86 cities in the U.S., Caribbean, and Latin America with an average of 850 daily flights. With JetBlue, all seats are assigned, all fares are one-way, an overnight stay is never required and the first checked bag is free (subject to weight and size limits and exceptions for itineraries including flights marketed or operated by other airlines). For more information please visit JetBlue.com.

A successful pilot programme in London has helped 12 young people to secure jobs at Tesco, and it will now be rolled out in other areas of the country with high levels of youth unemployment including Glasgow, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Birmingham and North Wales.

It comes as new research shows that 74 per cent of British adults believe that youth unemployment is one of the biggest issues facing the UK today¹, and that one in five (19 per cent) of the UK’s young people are struggling to find work².

The new programme – Launch – offers unemployed 18-to-24-year olds employability skills training, hands-on experience and mentoring to help them find jobs.
All participants will receive ongoing support from Tesco and The Prince’s Trust following the four-week scheme.

Lisa McDermott, 21, from Leyton secured a job with Tesco after completing the programme last week. She said: “It was amazing to hear I’d got the job at Tesco and I couldn’t stop smiling! I’m not sure when it will sink in to be honest. I would love to work my way up and hope to be here for a long time. Just four weeks ago I was unemployed and feeling hopeless and now I’m looking forward to a bright future.”
Lisa McDermott

Martina Milburn CBE, chief executive of The Prince’s Trust said: “Youth unemployment can contribute to low self-esteem, feelings of hopelessness and even depression. When an unemployed young person secures a job, it can quite literally transform their life. We are delighted to be working with Tesco to continue to reach those furthest from the jobs market.”

Judith Nelson, UK Personnel Director at Tesco, said “I’m incredibly proud of our record of helping young people to get a foot on the career ladder. We currently employ almost 65,000 young people in the UK and the scale of our business means each and every one of them has the chance to get on. We want to go even further by supporting more young people in the communities we serve, and by working together with The Prince’s Trust on this fantastic programme we can really change lives.”

USDAW General Secretary, John Hannett said “We welcome this new programme and Tesco’s commitment to supporting young people into work. Many of our members have experienced challenges getting into the job market and we know that young people find it particularly hard to break the cycle of ‘no experience – no job, no job – no experience’. The training and opportunities to learn on the job that this programme offers will be valuable in giving young people the skills and experience to succeed in the retail industry.”

This programme is part of the Movement to Work initiative designed to help tackle youth unemployment in the UK. Tesco is one of 15 leading UK employers already signed-up to the initiative, which aims to support 100,000 unemployed young people, giving them the skills and confidence to find a job. Tesco’s Regeneration Partnership programme has already helped more than 6,000 people out of long-term unemployment.
Youth charity The Prince’s Trust supported 58,000 young people last year. Three in four young people supported by The Trust move into work, education or training.

About The Prince’s Trust
Youth charity The Prince’s Trust helps disadvantaged young people to get their lives on track. It supports 13 to 30 year-olds who are unemployed and those struggling at school and at risk of exclusion. Many of the young people helped by The Prince’s Trust are in or leaving care, facing issues such as homelessness or mental health problems, or they have been in trouble with the law. The Trust’s programmes give vulnerable young people the practical and financial support needed to stabilise their lives, helping develop self-esteem and skills for work. Three in four young people supported by The Prince’s Trust move into work, education or training. The Prince of Wales’s charity has helped 750,000 young people since 1976 and supports over 100 more each day. Further information about The Prince’s Trust is available at princes-trust.org.uk or on 0800 842 842.
Follow us on Twitter: @PrincesTrust
Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/princestrust
About Tesco
We are a team of over 530,000 people in 12 markets dedicated to bringing the best value, choice and service to our millions of customers each week. Our core purpose is ‘we make what matters better, together’. In the UK we employ over 310,000 colleagues including 65,000 under the age of 25. Creating opportunities to help young people start successful careers is one of Tesco’s three big ambitions to use our scale for good. To find out more about our scale for good strategy and activities visit www.tescoplc.com/society
About Movement to Work
– Fifteen of Britain’s biggest employers have come together to form Movement to Work, which aims to support long-term unemployed young people into jobs.
– The companies are Accenture, BAE Systems, Barclays, BT, Centrica, the Civil Service, Diageo, GSK, HSBC, Kingfisher, M&S, National Grid, Tesco, Unilever, and WPP.
– Their aspiration is for Movement to Work to offer 100,000 vocational training opportunities for long-term unemployed young people, helping 50 per cent of these into work, education or training. All young people will be offered one-to-one support after the programme to help them progress in their career.
– For more details on the movement, go to www.movementtowork.com

RICHMOND, VA – CarMax, Inc. (NYSE: KMX), the nation’s largest retailer of used cars, announces today the launch of a new, $5 million partnership with KaBOOM!. The CarMax Foundation and KaBOOM!, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to giving kids the childhood they deserve by bringing play to those who need it most, have successfully provided 100,000 kids across the nation with access to play. This partnership aims to triple their impact by reaching a total of 300,000 children by the end of 2018. To celebrate the official coast-to-coast launch of the partnership, more than 400 volunteers will simultaneously build two new playgrounds today, April 7, in El Cajon, Calif. and Fort Worth, TX.

CarMax and KaBOOM! will provide grants to fund building or improving 79 play spaces by the end of 2018, bringing play to those most in need. In addition, CarMax is the first KaBOOM! corporate sponsor bringing play spaces to our military and veteran families over the next three years while also providing them with community support and career opportunities.

“CarMax is committed to giving back to and supporting the communities we are a part of – without them, CarMax could not be successful,” said Craig Cronheim, president of The CarMax Foundation

. “Our associates across the country will impact countless families by helping get kids moving and playing.”

This partnership will have three distinct areas of impact. First, 33 nationwide community-built playgrounds will be designed by children and built by volunteers from local partners and thousands of CarMax associates.

Second, a donation of 34 Imagination Playgrounds and 12 Rigamajigs will be made to select partner organizations. Lastly, four of these playgrounds and 12 Rigamajigs will be built in military communities and 18 of the Imagination Playgrounds will be donated to military serving non-profits over the next three years.

The CarMax Foundation focuses nationally on children’s healthy living. This focus is directed by CarMax associates who have expressed a desire to help youth in their communities get moving to live happier, healthier lives.

“The CarMax Foundation is a powerful champion for kids across America, creating wonderful opportunities for kids in need of play. The commitment and enthusiasm of CarMax associates is unsurpassed, and great things happen when they roll up their sleeves as volunteers to build playgrounds in the communities where they live, work, and play,” said James Siegal, CEO of KaBOOM!. “We are thrilled to continue our amazing partnership with CarMax for another three years and grateful that we and CarMax share a passion for ensuring all kids get the childhood they deserve filled with play.”

Join the national discussion about the importance of play in fostering healthy and productive lives on social media using #playmatters, #carmaxbuild , #ElCajon, #FtWorth and follow the work of KaBOOM! (@KaBOOM!) and CarMax (@CarMaxCares).

About The CarMax Foundation
The CarMax Foundation is designed to enrich the communities where our associates live and work and has donated more than $30 million since 2003. Funding programs are made available through a portion of CarMax, Inc.’s pre-tax profits. CarMax, a member of the FORTUNE 500 and the S&P 500, and on the FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For® list for 12 consecutive years, is the nation’s largest retailer of used vehicles. Headquartered in Richmond, Va., CarMax currently operates 158 stores in 78 markets. The consumer offer features low, no haggle prices, a broad selection of CarMax Quality Certified used cars, and superior customer service. During the twelve months ended February 28, 2015, the company retailed 582,282 used vehicles and sold 376,186 wholesale vehicles at our in-store auctions. For more information, access the CarMax website at http://www.carmax.com/. For more information about The CarMax Foundation, visit foundation.carmax.com.

About KaBOOM!
KaBOOM! is the national non-profit dedicated to giving all kids – particularly those growing up in poverty in America – the childhood they deserve filled with balanced and active play, so they can thrive. Since 1996, KaBOOM! has collaborated with partners to build, open or improve nearly 16,300 playgrounds, engaged more than one million volunteers and served 8.1 million kids. KaBOOM! creates great places to play, inspires communities to promote and support play, and works to drive the national discussion about the importance of play in fostering healthy and productive lives. To learn why #playmatters and why cities are embracing #playability: visit kaboom.org or join the conversation at twitter.com/kaboom or facebook.com/kaboom.

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis.– Kohl’s Department Stores (NYSE: KSS) today announced the renewal of its partnership with Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin with a donation of $3.7 million over the next three years to continue support of the Kohl’s Cares Grow Safe & Healthy Program, which is designed to make Wisconsin kids and families aware of safety risks in and out of their homes, and the necessary steps to avoid injury. The donation comes from Kohl’s philanthropic program, Kohl’s Cares®, which sells special merchandise, including plush toys and books, and donates 100 percent of the net profit to benefit children’s health and education initiatives nationwide.

The Kohl’s Cares Grow Safe & Healthy Program is a multi-platform, interactive, community-based program that teaches children at different developmental stages how to stay safe in their environments – in the home, outdoors and on the go. Program components include “Keep Spriggy Safe,” a free mobile app, an interactive Mobile Unit and stationary digital kiosks at community gathering places.

“Kohl’s Cares and Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin share a commitment to children’s health and education, and we are honored to continue our partnership and work to keep Wisconsin families safe and well,” said Bevin Bailis, Kohl’s senior vice president, public relations and communications. “We are very proud of the Kohl’s Cares Grow Safe & Healthy Program and are inspired by the impact the program continues to make in the Milwaukee community and beyond.”

Kohl’s Cares donation will support enhancements to the mobile app and website, KohlsSafeandHealthy.com, expanded mobile tour community outreach, digital kiosk installations and a new educational partnership with the YMCA in Southeastern Wisconsin and Fox Valley. The Kohl’s Healthy Kids: It’s Your Move! exhibit area at Betty Brinn Children’s Museum, sponsored by Kohl’s Cares and Children’s Hospital, also will be refreshed and updated.

“With Kohl’s generous donation, we can continue to offer this valuable program while honoring Kohl’s long-standing partnership and joint commitment to keeping our community safe and healthy,” said Bridget Clementi, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin director of Community Health Services. “The Kohl’s Cares Grow Safe & Healthy Program has received positive feedback since it launched last year. We’re excited for the opportunity to expand it so much further.”

Since 2000, Kohl’s Department Stores together with Kohl’s Cares have combined to give more than $75 million to support charitable initiatives in the metro-Milwaukee area, including more than $12 million to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin to help improve the health and safety of local children.

About Kohl’s
Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) is a leading specialty department store with 1,160 stores in 49 states. With a commitment to inspiring and empowering families to lead fulfilled lives, the company offers amazing national and exclusive brands, incredible savings and inspiring shopping experiences in-store, online at Kohls.com and via mobile devices. Committed to our communities, Kohl’s has raised more than $257 million for children’s initiatives nationwide through its Kohl’s Cares® cause merchandise program, which operates under Kohl’s Cares, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kohl’s Department Stores, Inc. For additional information about Kohl’s philanthropic and environmental initiatives, visit www.Kohls.com/Cares. For a list of store locations and information, or for the added convenience of shopping online, visit www.Kohls.com.

About Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin is the region’s only independent health care system dedicated solely to the health and well-being of children. The hospital, with locations in Milwaukee and Neenah, Wis., is recognized as one of the leading pediatric health care centers in the United States. It is ranked No. 4 in the nation by Parents magazine and ranked in 9 specialty areas in U.S. News & World Report’s 2013-14 Best Children’s Hospitals report. Children’s Hospital provides primary care, specialty care, urgent care, emergency care, community health services, foster and adoption services, child and family counseling, child advocacy services and family resource centers. In 2012, Children’s Hospital invested more than $117 million in the community to improve the health status of children through medical care, advocacy, education and pediatric medical research. Children’s Hospital achieves its mission in part through donations from individuals, corporations and foundations and is proud to be a member of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. For more information, visit the website at chw.org.

Today, marks the launch of Lloyds Banking Group’s pioneering new partnership with BBC Children in Need. Lloyds Banking Group has entered into a unique three year partnership with BBC Children in Need which will see the Group, through its Lloyds Bank and Bank of Scotland brands, become the first Principal Partner of the charity and the charity’s first and only Schools Partner.

Key skills development set to double donations
In its role as Principal Partner of BBC Children in Need, the Group has committed to helping the charity support all UK schools and over five million children with charitable fundraising and key skills development. This is expected to double donations raised through schools per annum by 2017.

The Lloyds Bank National Schools Fundraising Campaign will be brought to life through the provision of fundraising resources for schools; education and skills development in Literacy, Citizenship as well as employability skills; awards and rewards for pupils; and volunteering support from Group colleagues. The campaign showcase is the ‘Best.Assembly.Ever.’ whereby pupils will plan and run celebration and fundraising assemblies during the week of the BBC Children in Need Appeal (Friday 14 November).

By children for children
The ‘by children for children’ approach adopted throughout the campaign will see children learn and develop skills to improve their own futures and those of other children. Children will also be instrumental in helping to develop the campaign as it scales up during the course of the partnership.

Alison Brittain, Group Director, Retail at Lloyds Banking Group said “BBC Children in Need is one of the most enduring and best loved charities in the UK and we are immensely proud to be embarking on this unique and exciting partnership with them. I’m really looking forward to helping schools across the UK make an even bigger difference in their fundraising and seeing children bring their own ‘Best.Assembly.Ever.’ events and fundraising activities to life. More announcements about our partnership with BBC Children in Need will follow, and will show how our whole organisation, and the skill and enthusiasm of our people, will be able to play a part in making our partnership a success.”

Commenting on the partnership, David Ramsden, Chief Executive of BBC Children in Need, added: “We are really excited about working with Lloyds Banking Group as a Principal Partner and developing the ‘by children for children’ model at the heart of our fundraising. We are sure that Lloyds’ experience of working with schools and communities will help us to change thousands more young lives across the UK.”

To find out more about the partnership and the ‘Best.Assembly.Ever.’ visit bbc.co.uk/pudsey.

WASHINGTON, DC—October 3, 2014—In the month of October Tyson Foods and the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) are partnering together to donate five truckloads of protein to food banks in Washington, D.C. and cities in California, New York, Texas, and Florida. The first donation will take place in Washington, D.C. at the Capital Area Food Bank with the remaining distributions to take place over the following weeks.

“We are thrilled to receive this generous donation from Tyson Foods to help our efforts in providing more nutritious meals to children and families in need,” said Nancy Roman, Capital Area Food Bank President and CEO. “Hunger has tremendous short and long-term detrimental effects, especially on children, and this donation will help ensure that children in need can grow into healthy, productive adults.”

“Through our partnership with Tyson Foods we strengthen our commitment to eradicate hunger in the Latino community,” said LULAC National President Margaret Moran. “This donation will go a long way to help address food disparities for families facing economic challenges.”

The donation totals 151,000 pounds of protein and will be distributed to food banks in five urban areas. The food pantries will each receive approximately 30,000 pounds. These food pantries have a strong commitment and history of eradicating food disparities in areas with high rates of childhood hunger.

“There is a large need for protein in these areas and we are able to fill that void” said Nora Venegas. “We are proud to stand with LULAC to make a difference in areas we know we can.”

Tyson Foods’ current “KNOW Hunger” campaign is focused on helping more people understand and join the effort to eliminate hunger in America. The company also partners with Share Our Strength, Lift Up America, and Feeding America to raise awareness and help feed the hungry across the nation. Since 2000, Tyson Foods has donated 96 million pounds of food toward hunger relief.

About Tyson Foods
Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN), with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is one of the world’s largest producers of chicken, beef, pork and prepared foods that include leading brands such as Tyson®, Jimmy Dean®, Hillshire Farm®, Sara Lee®, Ball Park®, Wright®, Aidells® and State Fair®. The company was founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson, whose family has continued to lead the business with his son, Don Tyson, guiding the company for many years and grandson, John H. Tyson, serving as the current chairman of the board of directors. Tyson Foods provides a wide variety of protein-based and prepared foods products and is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves, supplying customers throughout the United States and approximately 130 countries. It has approximately 124,000 Team Members employed at more than 400 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson Foods strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team Members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.

League of United Latino American Citizens (LULAC)
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the largest and oldest volunteer-based civil rights organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 900 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.lulac.org. www.facebook.com/lulac.national.dc. www.twitter.com/lulacnational.

About The Capital Area Food Bank
The Capital Area Food Bank is the largest hunger relief organization in the Washington metro area serving over 530,000 people through direct food distribution programs and a network of 500 partner agencies. This year, the Capital Area Food Bank distributed 42 million pounds of food – the equivalent of 35 million meals – including 17.5 million pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables.

About Food Bank For New York City
Food Bank For New York City, one of the country’s largest food banks, has been the city’s major hunger-relief organization working to end hunger throughout the five boroughs for more than 30 years. Through its network of more than 1,000 charities and schools citywide, Food Bank provides food for more than 63 million free meals for New Yorkers in need.

About the Houston Food Bank
The Houston Food Bank is America’s largest food bank in distribution to its network of nearly 600 hunger relief charities in 18 southeast Texas counties. Named top charity in Texas by Charity Navigator for financial performance and accountability, the Food Bank provides 59 million nutritious meals to food pantries, soup kitchens, senior centers and other agencies, feeding 800,000 people each year. Fresh produce, meat and nonperishables are distributed from the warehouse at 535 Portwall, and hot meals are prepared and distributed from Keegan Center, a 15,000 square-foot industrial kitchen. Additional community services range from nutrition education to assistance with food stamp applications and hands-on job training. Red Barrels offer a convenient way for grocery shoppers to donate nonperishables for their neighbors in need. The Houston Food Bank, founded in 1982, is a certified member of Feeding America, the nation’s food bank network. The organization plans to grow to an annual distribution of 100 million nutritious meals by 2018. Visit HoustonFoodBank.org for more information. Find us on Facebook or follow our news on Twitter.

About the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
For 41 years, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank has worked to mobilize resources in the community to alleviate hunger. With a vision that no one goes hungry in Los Angeles County, the Food Bank distributed 60 million pounds of food in 2013 and 1 billion pounds of food since its inception. The Food Bank collects food from hundreds of resources, which – with the help of 33,000 volunteers annually – it distributes through a network of more than 670 partner agencies at more than 1,050 distribution and program sites. In addition, 97 percent of monies raised and in-kind donations go directly to programs. Our efficiency and effectiveness led to the LA Business Journal to name the Food Bank as the “Nonprofit Organization of the Year” among large local organizations in 2013. For more information or to get involved, visit:www.lafoodbank.org

About Feeding South Florida
Feeding South Florida has served the community for 33 years and serves 30% of the state’s food insecure population.

Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) invites nonprofit hospitals and medical transportation organizations to apply for the 2015 Medical Transportation Grant Program. The program is designed to ease the financial burden on families confronting serious medical problems that require travel for treatment. Southwest donates roundtrip airline tickets to nonprofit hospitals and medical organizations in the program, and empowers the organizations to distribute the tickets to patients as they see best based on individuals’ needs. In 2014, Southwest donated more than $2.8 million in complimentary airfare through the program. Hospitals and medical transportation charities can apply by visiting http://www.southwest.com/medicalgrant now through Tuesday, Sept. 30.

“At Southwest, everything we do is from the heart. Our Medical Transportation Grant Program is no different, as we embrace those individuals and families who require critical and specialized treatment,” said Linda Rutherford, Southwest Airlines’ Vice President Communication and Outreach. “From lessening the financial burden on families needing to travel for treatment to partnering with medical organizations, we are proud of the many ways this program is making a positive difference in the lives of our neighbors and the communities we serve.”

The Medical Transportation Grant Program began as a response to a need that was repeatedly expressed to Southwest—families facing serious illnesses needed to travel for treatment. When the Medical Transportation Grant Program launched in 2008, Southwest donated 1,700 tickets to 13 hospitals and organizations. What started as a small effort to make a difference has grown into a nationwide movement, benefiting thousands of individuals and hundreds of communities. Southwest has donated more than $13.2 million in free airfare since the program began seven years ago. Last year, Southwest’s Medical Transportation Grant Program served patients seeking medical treatment at nearly 100 hospitals and organizations nationwide, including the internationally-recognized Shepherd Center.

“Southwest’s Medical Transportation Grant Program has been a tremendous benefit to our patients and their families,” said Gary R. Ulicny, Ph.D, President and CEO at Shepard Center. “With catastrophic injuries, it is essential for a patient’s loved ones to be part of the rehabilitation and recovery process. This program provides that opportunity for families who might otherwise not be able to afford the travel costs.”

More than 33,000 patients’ lives have been positively impacted through this unique program. Read personal stories of patients who have benefitted from the Medical Transportation Grant Program on the NUTS About Southwest blog.

Each participating hospital and nonprofit has unique guidelines for the administration of tickets. To learn about qualifications for travel assistance, please contact the specific hospital or nonprofit organization.

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
In its 44th year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) continues to differentiate itself from other carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by more than 45,000 Employees to more than 100 million Customers annually. Based on the most recent data available from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Southwest is the nation’s largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded. The airline also operates the largest fleet of Boeing aircraft in the world to serve 93 destinations in 40 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and five near-international countries. Some flights are operated by wholly owned subsidiary AirTran Airways. Southwest is one of the most honored airlines in the world, known for its triple bottom line approach that takes into account the carrier’s performance and productivity, the importance of its People and the communities it serves, and its commitment to efficiency and the planet. The 2013 Southwest Airlines One Report™ can be found at southwest.com/citizenship.

From its first flights on June 18, 1971, Southwest Airlines launched an era of unprecedented affordability in air travel described by the U.S. Department of Transportation as “The Southwest Effect,” a lowering of fares and increase in passenger traffic wherever the carrier serves. With Southwest Airlines, Bags Fly Free ® (first and second checked pieces of luggage, size and weight limits apply), and there are no change fees (fare difference may apply) when you need to change your flight. Southwest’s fleet offers leather seating and the comfort of full-size cabins, a majority of which are equipped with satellite-based WiFi connectivity over the United States, which enables live and video-on-demand TV currently FREE compliments of DISH, and a new, sustainable cabin interior. Southwest acquired AirTran Airways in May 2011 and by the end of 2014 intends to complete the full integration of the AirTran network into Southwest. With 41 consecutive years of profitability, the People of Southwest and AirTran operate more than 3,600 flights a day. Southwest Airlines’ frequent flights and low fares are available online at southwest.com or by phone at 800-I-FLY-SWA.

FREMONT, Calif., – Men’s Wearhouse (NYSE: MW) is proud to announce that the National Suit Drive has collected a record one million donations to date. This year has been the most successful Suit Drive since the program’s inception eight years ago, helping countless unemployed Americans.

Men’s Wearhouse National Suit Drive

The National Suit Drive aims to address the unemployment issue affecting more than 8 million* Americans by collecting gently used professional attire and providing those in need with the confidence associated with putting on a suit. Men’s Wearhouse partners with more than 180 local non-profit organizations across the United States who distribute the articles of clothing, and provide job-ready skills, training and seminars to disadvantaged men and women entering or re-entering the workforce. This year, the campaign kicked off June 22nd and ran through July 31st encouraging Americans to donate to any of the more than 900 Men’s Wearhouse locations across the USA.

The company partnered with professional football superstar DeMarco Murray, running back of the Philadelphia Eagles, and the National Basketball Coaches Association (NBCA) to help rally donations. “It was a pleasure to be a part of the National Suit Drive. There are so many young men and women across America that do not have the proper interview attire. The Suit Drive gives those in need a second chance,” said Coach Lionel Hollins, Head Coach of the Brooklyn Nets.

“Our eighth annual National Suit Drive was our most successful to date and we couldn’t have done it without the overwhelming support from our participating customers and non-profit partners. Together, we’re helping people look and feel their best, giving them the confidence they need to make a great first impression at job interviews,” said Doug Ewert, CEO of The Men’s Wearhouse, Inc.

Men’s Wearhouse is focused on giving back to the communities it serves and has a commitment to supporting U.S. employment. The men’s specialty retailer is the largest domestic manufacturer and retailer of tailored clothing, creating jobs in an industry that has been stagnant elsewhere in the country.

About Men’s Wearhouse
Founded in 1973, Men’s Wearhouse is one of North America’s largest specialty retailers of men’s apparel with 1,758 stores. The Men’s Wearhouse, Jos. A. Bank, Moores and K&G stores carry a full selection of suits, sport coats, furnishings and accessories in exclusive and non-exclusive merchandise brands and Men’s Wearhouse and Tux stores carry a limited selection. Most K&G stores carry a full selection of women’s apparel. Tuxedo and suit rentals are available in the Men’s Wearhouse, Jos. A. Bank, Moores and Men’s Wearhouse and Tux stores. Additionally, Men’s Wearhouse operates a global corporate apparel and workwear group consisting of Twin Hill in the United States and Dimensions, Alexandra and Yaffy in the United Kingdom.

LAS VEGAS, – Employees of MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) donated more than 1.6 million pounds of food to Three Square Food Bank this holiday season in one of the largest single-city food drives in the nation.

Three Square reported that MGM Resorts employees donated 1,610,461 pounds of food during the company’s fifth annual October food drive. Company employees well-exceeded last year’s donation of 922,161 pounds, setting a new record for the largest amount of food received in a single donation by Three Square. This unprecedented donation will provide 1,342,050 meals to the nearly 137,000 individuals Three Square serves monthly through its approximately 1,300 community partners. Experts estimate that 315,000 Las Vegas valley residents are food insecure.

“We cannot thank MGM Resorts and their hardworking employees enough for all they have accomplished this holiday season,” said Brian Burton, President and CEO of Three Square. “This is by far the most we have ever received in a single donation and I know the people in our community we serve each day will be so grateful to receive this support. Our partnership with MGM Resorts proves that by coming together, we can solve the hunger problem in Southern Nevada.”

“In this season of giving there is no greater way we at MGM Resorts can show our allegiance with our community than by joining with Three Square to combat food insecurity in our midst,” said Jim Murren, Chairman & CEO of MGM Resorts International. “I am extremely proud of the generosity demonstrated by my wonderful colleagues and hope we will continue breaking records with our Three Square donations until no one in our community suffers the pain of hunger.”

Three Square is a member of Feeding America, the largest hunger relief agency in the United States. Feeding America reported that the results of MGM Resorts’ food drive make it one of the largest in the nation based on quarterly reports from its 200 affiliates. Feeding America affiliates last year provided more than three billion pounds of food and groceries to food insecure families across the nation.

MGM Resorts and Three Square celebrated the record-breaking donation with a special ceremony today at the Three Square warehouse where the donations will be housed until distribution. MGM Resorts properties and corporate operations in Las Vegas vied in a friendly competition with the winning entity selected by calculating the number of pounds donated per employee. MGM Resorts’ corporate division employees won this year’s competition by their donation of 146.18 pounds of food per employee.

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 continuous support provided by the company.

About Three Square Food Bank
Established in 2007 to provide hunger relief, Three Square Food Bank offers wholesome, nutritious food to non-profit 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, non-profit agencies, food distributors, higher education institutions, the Clark County School District, governmental entities, the media and thousands of volunteers to efficiently and effectively serve hope to those in our community struggling with hunger. Three Square currently provides more than 30 million pounds of food and grocery product – the equivalent of more than 25 million meals – per year to more than 600 Program 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 www.facebook.com/ThreeSquareFoodBank and follow them on Instagram (@threesquarelv) as well as 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 developing a gaming resort in Cotai, and 50 percent of CityCenter in Las Vegas, which features Aria resort and casino. For more information about MGM Resorts International, visit the Company’s website at www.mgmresorts.com.
SOURCE MGM Resorts International

DAVOS-KLOSTERS, Switzerland — Microsoft Corp. CEO Satya Nadella announced a new three-part initiative to ensure that Microsoft’s cloud computing resources serve the public good. As part of this initiative the recently formed Microsoft Philanthropies will donate $1 billion of Microsoft Cloud Services, measured at fair market value, to serve nonprofits and university researchers over the next three years.

Microsoft’s three-part commitment focuses on ensuring the cloud can serve the public good in the broadest sense by providing additional cloud resources to nonprofits, increasing access for university researchers and helping solve last-mile Internet access challenges.

“Microsoft is empowering mission-driven organizations around the planet with a donation of cloud computing services — the most transformative technologies of our generation,” said Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, who on Wednesday will speak at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. “Now more than 70,000 organizations will have access to technology that will help them solve our greatest societal challenges and ultimately improve the human condition and drive new growth equally.”

Cloud computing has emerged as a vital resource for unlocking the secrets held by data in ways that create new insights and lead to breakthroughs not just for science and technology, but for the full range of economic and social challenges and the delivery of better human services. It can also improve communications and problem-solving and help organizations work in a more productive and more efficient manner.

In September 2015, 193 heads of state and other world leaders unanimously adopted 17 sustainable development goals to achieve by 2030. This ambitious agenda — which includes ending poverty, ending hunger, and ensuring affordable, reliable and sustainable energy for all — will only be achievable with the benefit of significant inventions and technology innovations. The scale and computational power enabled by cloud computing will be essential to unlocking solutions to this list of some of the world’s seemingly unsolvable problems.

“We’re committed to helping nonprofit groups and universities use cloud computing to address fundamental human challenges,” said Microsoft President Brad Smith. “One of our ambitions for Microsoft Philanthropies is to partner with these groups and ensure that cloud computing reaches more people and serves the broadest array of societal needs.”

Specific elements of the new initiative include these:

Serving the broad needs of the nonprofit community. A new global donation program will make Microsoft Cloud Services, including Microsoft Azure, Power BI, CRM Online and the Enterprise Mobility Suite, more available to nonprofit organizations through Microsoft Philanthropies. The program builds upon an already successful program that provides similar access to Office 365 for nonprofits. The nonprofit program for Microsoft Cloud Services will begin rolling out this spring, and Microsoft Philanthropies aims to serve 70,000 nonprofits in the next three years with these Microsoft Cloud Services.
Expanding access to cloud resources for faculty research in universities. Microsoft Research and Microsoft Philanthropies will expand by 50 percent the Microsoft Azure for Research program that grants free Azure storage and computing resources to help faculty accelerate their research on cutting-edge challenges. Today this program provides free cloud computing resources for over 600 research projects on six continents.
Reaching new communities with last-mile connectivity and cloud services. Microsoft Philanthropies and Microsoft Business Development will combine donated access to Microsoft Cloud services with investments in new, low-cost last-mile Internet access technologies and community training. By combining cloud services with connectivity and training, and focusing on new public-private partnerships, Microsoft Philanthropies intends to support 20 of these projects in at least 15 countries around the world by the middle of 2017.
Providing nonprofits with better access to Microsoft Cloud Services, including the powerful Microsoft Azure platform, builds upon Microsoft’s longtime commitment to making cutting-edge technology available at no or low cost to organizations working on solving some of society’s toughest problems.

In recent years, as organizations have increased their reliance on cloud computing, Microsoft has worked in partnership with a broad range of organizations focused on big challenges. The initiatives show the potential impact that increased access to the transformational power of cloud computing can have:

Microsoft Research is working with the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) Biodiversity Research Program through the use of 700 wireless sensors, cloud technology and automated data-stream processing to understand how cloud forests work and study the impact of climate changes on the communities supported by those forests.
Through a partnership with the University of Texas at Austin called Project Catapult, Microsoft makes advanced cloud computing technology available to researchers that have demonstrated the ability to deliver lower power and cost, higher-quality results, or a combination of both.
In Botswana, Microsoft is partnering with the Botswana Innovation Hub, Vista Life Sciences, the United States Agency for International Development and Global Broadband Solutions to assist Botswana, the University of Pennsylvania and the Ministry of Health in leveraging cloud-based health records management and Internet access enabled by use of TV white spaces to remotely deliver specialized medicine, including cervical cancer screenings to women at rural healthcare clinics.
“Access to technology is critical to the operations and services of NetHope and its 44 humanitarian nonprofit member organizations,” said NetHope CEO Lauren Woodman. “The power of cloud computing will create exponential value for all we do to serve the millions of people in our communities around the world.”

About Microsoft Philanthropies
In December 2015 Microsoft formed Microsoft Philanthropies (@MSPhilanthropic), a new organization within the company focused on driving digital inclusion and empowerment around the world.

About Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) is the leading platform and productivity company for the mobile-first, cloud-first world, and its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.

NEW YORK- May 9, 2019– In response to the shocking rise of maternal mortality in the U.S., MTV – the brand that created the “16 and Pregnant” franchise, which helped reduce teen pregnancy – as well as Emmy® Award-winner Lena Waithe, Christy Turlington Burns’ Every Mother Counts, and the Black Mamas Matter Alliance are joining forces this Mother’s Day to provide life-saving resources for expectant mothers, their friends, and families. In the past 30 years, deaths from pregnancy-related complications in the have doubled in the United States. Today, it is the most dangerous place in the developed world to give birth.*

Kicking off today, the “Save Our Moms” campaign will activate across MTVand MTV News on all platforms with original content and educational resources, articles and op-eds, and talent testimonials. The centerpiece of the campaign will be an original video piece directed by “HALA” filmmaker and Sundance Film Festival sensation Minhal Baig and produced by Waithe’s Protest Art Productions.

“Every mother deserves the right to go home with their child,” said Waithe.
This campaign was inspired by three students from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs – Maria Jose Diaz, Justine LaVoye and Jenise Ogle – who pitched MTV leadership on their idea to leverage the brand’s platforms as a way to shine a bright light on this overlooked crisis.
“It’s shocking that the U.S. is the most dangerous place in the developed world to give birth,” said Chris McCarthy, President of MTV. “The positive news is that 60% of these deaths are preventable and that’s why we launched this campaign.”

Elements of the “Save Our Moms” campaign will include:
PSA
Produced by Waithe’s Protest Art Productions
Helmed by Sundance maverick Minhal Baig and narrated by Waithe
Airing in primetime on MTV and its suite of brands, appearing across all platforms with a combined reach of more than 700 million
Digital action hub (saveourmoms.mtv.com):
Joint effort between MTV, Every Mother Counts and Black Mamas Matter Alliance
Provides educational resources for expectant mothers and their partners, friends and families
MTV News and talent activations:
MTV News will include short features and op-eds to raise awareness

Marquee MTV talent will throw their weight behind the campaign, sharing personal stories
*According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and The Lancet, as reported in USA Today:
The U.S. is the most dangerous place in the developed world to give birth.
Every day, 2-3 women die in the U.S. from pregnancy-related complications, doubling in the past 30 years.
The risk is 3-4 times higher for black women than for white women.
60% of these deaths are preventable.

About MTV
MTV is the leading global youth media brand in 180 countries, reaching 450 million households in nearly 30 different languages across every platform. A unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), MTV operations span cable and mobile networks, live events, theatrical films and MTV Studios.
About Black Mamas Matter Alliance
Black Mamas Matter Alliance is a Black women-led cross-sectoral alliance that centers Black mamas to advocate, drive research, build power, and shift culture for Black maternal health, rights, and justice. We envision a world where Black mamas have the rights, respect, and resources to thrive before, during, and after pregnancy. Learn more about our work at blackmamasmatter.org.

About Every Mother Counts
Every Mother Counts (EMC) is dedicated to making pregnancy and childbirth safe for every mother, everywhere. EMC works to achieve quality, respectful, and equitable maternity care for all women by supporting quality programs through grants and working collaboratively with partners and thought leaders to increase awareness and mobilize communities to take action. EMC currently supports programs that improve access to maternity care in Bangladesh, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Tanzania and the United States. Learn more at everymothercounts.org.

About the Congressional Caucus on Black Maternal Health
On April 9, 2019, Congresswomen Alma Adams and Lauren Underwood launched the first-ever Congressional Caucus on Black Maternal Health. They established this Caucus to call greater Congressional attention to the national crisis of worsening maternal health outcomes, specifically the intolerable disparities experienced by Black women. Through bold policymaking, collective action and stakeholder engagement, the Caucus will work to reverse current trends and achieve optimal birth outcomes for all families. The Caucus will raise awareness within Congress to establish Black maternal health as a national priority, and explore and advocate for effective, evidence-based, culturally-competent policies and best practices for improving Black maternal health. The Caucus will ensure that Black women and infants have the rights, respect, and resources needed to thrive before, during, and after pregnancy.

Stamford, Conn., The Coca-Cola Company, Nestlé Waters North America, the PepsiCo Foundation and the Walmart Foundation today announced that they have partnered to fund an integrated recycling education and awareness initiative for the 10,000 school students affected by the Flint water crisis, led by national nonprofit Keep America Beautiful and its local Flint, Michigan, affiliate Keep Genesee County Beautiful (KGCB).

In January 2016, the four companies announced they would provide up to 6.5 million bottles of safe and clean drinking water to Flint school students. From the outset of the program, they have been providing for the storage and delivery of the bottled water, as well as the transporting of the empty water bottles for recycling.

The new initiative provides funding for a multi-tiered educational approach aimed at increasing the number of plastic bottles that are recycled within school grounds as well as create opportunities to provide students, teachers and staff with the knowledge and the passion to recycle at home, at school and on-the-go.

“Keep America Beautiful is thrilled to receive broad support from a host of partners in our efforts to educate, motivate and activate Flint’s students, teachers and the broader school community to properly recycle the tremendous amount of material that is being generated,” said Brenda Pulley, senior vice president, recycling, Keep America Beautiful. “This is a great opportunity for us to work closely with Keep Genesee County Beautiful to make a meaningful difference in improving recycling throughout Flint and to teach the next generation of environmental stewards the benefits of recycling and how to recycle right.”

The K-12 school-based program objectives are to:
Provide outreach, tools, resources and activities to educate, motivate and activate students, staff and teachers to recycle more and recycle right;
Organize, support and share resources with recycling champions at each school to support day-to-day recycling efforts;
Share best practices and support school personnel responsible for collecting and consolidating recycling at each school on proper recycling bin placement, signage and collection of the recyclables; and
Track and report the amount of recyclables being collected by the schools with the goal of achieving a 25 percent increase in recycling.
“Promoting recycling education and infrastructure to Flint schools in partnership with Keep America Beautiful is important and something we are actively engaged in,” said Aaron Stallings, Walmart Market Manager for the North Central Division. “We see this program contributing to a more resilient and sustainable Flint.”

“The Coca-Cola Company understands the importance of ongoing support for the residents of the City of Flint. Providing water for daily use was the first step and the promotion of recycling and recycling education round out this support,” said Bruce Karas, Vice President, Environment and Sustainability, The Coca-Cola Company North America. “We must all do our part to ensure that residents’ needs are met and the City of Flint returns to the viable and vibrant city we all know it can be.”

“Water is a human right and as soon as the PepsiCo team learned about Flint and their drinking water supply, we reached out to be part of creating sustainable, local solutions,” said Tim Carey, Senior Director Sustainability and Recycling, PepsiCo. “We all want to be part of communities with abundant natural resources so PepsiCo is pleased to support the City of Flint and other partners to give back to Genesee County. We’re striving to collect every bottle and every can as part of this powerful partnership.”

“Access to clean, safe drinking water is the right of every man, woman and child. That is why helping our neighbors in Flint is something we’ve been proud to do,” said Nelson Switzer, Chief Sustainability Officer for Nestlé Waters North America. “But our shared commitment doesn’t end there. We now need to work together so the bottles the coalition used to deliver safe drinking water are recovered and recycled. Together with our coalition partners and the families of Flint, we are very pleased to kick-start a massive recycling opportunity.”

Keep America Beautiful is working in tandem with KGCB to tailor the recycling educational lesson plans, tools and activities for Flint’s students, while ongoing recycling education and program implementation is being conducted by KGCB staff and volunteers. Resources include take-home materials in an effort to bring the school education and experience home, reaching families in their residences to also enhance curbside recycling participation.

“Since this crisis began, Keep Genesee County Beautiful has been the ‘go-to’ recycling resource for the Flint community. We help Flint residents cope with the water crisis by raising awareness and educating residents about the benefits of recycling, by signing up residents for curbside recycling and being a pickup point for recycling bins,” said Karen West, Program Director/Lead Consultant, KGCB. “We are incredibly grateful for this financial support and appreciate the opportunity to work with Keep America Beautiful and the students and staff of Flint schools to encourage, educate and engage the community in recycling.”

Keep America Beautiful is providing materials from its Waste in Place curriculum; its “I Want To Be Recycled” public service advertising campaign; Recycle-Bowl, its national in-school K-12 recycling competition; America Recycles Day and other resources as part of the overall programming to improve the in-school recycling rate.

About Walmart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, nearly 260 million customers and members visit our 11,528 stores under 72 banners in 28 countries and e-commerce websites in 11 countries. With fiscal year 2016 revenue of $482.1 billion, Walmart employs approximately 2.3 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://corporate.walmart.com on Facebook at http://facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmart.

About Philanthropy at Walmart
By using our strengths to help others, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation create opportunities for people to live better every day. We have stores in 28 countries, employing more than 2.3 million associates and doing business with thousands of suppliers who, in turn, employ millions of people. We are helping people live better by accelerating upward job mobility and economic development for the retail workforce; addressing hunger and making healthier, more sustainably-grown food a reality; and building strong communities where we operate and inspiring our associates to give back. Whether it is helping to lead the fight against hunger in the United States with $2 billion in cash and in-kind donations or supporting Women’s Economic Empowerment through a series of grants totaling $10 million to the Women in Factories training program in Bangladesh, China, India and Central America, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are not only working to tackle key social issues, we are also collaborating with others to inspire solutions for long-lasting systemic change. To learn more about Walmart’s giving, visit foundation.walmart.com.

About PepsiCo Foundation
Established in 1962, the PepsiCo Foundation works with non-profit partners to develop innovative, sustainable solutions that address challenges in underserved communities around the world. The Foundation, along with PepsiCo and its employees, seeks to catalyze efforts that advance our Performance with Purpose 2025 goals related to increasing access to positive nutrition, providing access to safe water and enabling young women to progress through school and be successful in the workforce. For more information, please visit www.pepsico.com/Purpose/Global-Citizenship

About Nestle Waters North America
Nestlé Waters North America provides people with an unrivaled portfolio of bottled waters for healthy hydration. Brands such as Nestlé® Pure Life®, Ice Mountain®, Poland Spring®, Perrier® and S.Pellegrino® have driven Nestlé Waters North America to be the third largest non-alcoholic beverage company by volume in the U.S. Based in Stamford, Connecticut with about 8,500 employees nationwide, Nestlé Waters is committed to reducing its environmental footprint across operations. As a natural resource company, Nestlé Waters sustainably manage about 40 spring sites, as well as nearly 14,000 acres of watershed as open space. The company is also committed to creating shared value and being a good neighbor in the 140 communities where it operates in the U.S.

About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands and more than 3,800 beverage choices. Led by Coca-Cola, one of the world’s most valuable and recognizable brands, our company’s portfolio features 20 billion-dollar brands, 18 of which are available in reduced-, low- or no-calorie options. Our billion-dollar brands include Diet Coke, Coca-Cola Zero, Fanta, Sprite, Dasani, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply, Del Valle, Georgia and Gold Peak. Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, we are the No. 1 provider of both sparkling and still beverages. More than 1.9 billion servings of our beverages are enjoyed by consumers in more than 200 countries each day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. Together with our bottling partners, we rank among the world’s top 10 private employers with more than 700,000 system associates. For more information, visit Coca-Cola Journey at www.coca-colacompany.com, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CocaColaCo, visit our blog, Coca-Cola Unbottled, at www.coca-colablog.com or find us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/the-coca-cola-company.

About Keep America Beautiful
At Keep America Beautiful, we want to ensure that beauty is our lasting signature. A leading national nonprofit, Keep America Beautiful inspires and educates people to take action every day to improve and beautify their community environment. We envision a country where every community is a clean, green, and beautiful place to live. Established in 1953, Keep America Beautiful provides the expertise, programs and resources to help people End Littering, Improve Recycling, and Beautify America’s Communities. The organization is driven by the work and passion of more than 600 community-based Keep America Beautiful affiliates, millions of volunteers, and the support of corporate partners, municipalities, elected officials, and individuals. To donate or take action, visit kab.org. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, like us on Facebook, or view us on YouTube.

About Keep Genesee County Beautiful
Keep Genesee Beautiful encourages, educates and engages residents in creating beautiful, clean, sustainable neighborhoods, parks and open spaces throughout the City of Flint and Genesee County. Our goal is to improve communities, their environment and quality of life, by cultivating personal responsibility in our citizens, with recycling being an essential part of that goal. Keep Genesee County Beautiful became Michigan’s first affiliate of Keep America Beautiful in April 2004, has received the prestigious national President’s Circle Award for 12 consecutive years and is one of this year’s Keep America Beautiful National Innovation Award winners. In January 2016, KGCB became an official program of the Genesee County Parks.

NEW YORK, Jan. 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Today, in partnership with the National Basketball Association (NBA), The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), Cisco Systems, Take-Two Interactive, The Starbucks Foundation, Bank of America, and Delta Air Lines, Covenant House is launching “Rising to Tomorrow,” a bold new commitment to end youth homelessness. This new initiative will support the work of providing more than 4 million nights of housing over the next five years for youth facing homelessness. In addition to new beds, this means more food, and more medical and mental health support.

Covenant House is the largest, primarily privately-funded charity in the Americas helping youth experiencing homelessness and survivors of human trafficking, providing 24/7 crisis care, and ongoing support in 33 cities across six countries. This year marks 50 years that Covenant House has remained open 24/7 to young people facing homelessnes. The new “Rising to Tomorrow” campaign was initiated to recognize a half a century of believing in youth and nurturing Covenant House’s promise to them.

This initiative will support the work of providing more than 4 million nights of housing for youth facing homelessness.

“At 50, our mission is more vibrant, more relevant, and more important than at any time in our history,” said Covenant House President & CEO Kevin Ryan. “But the trials of the COVID pandemic have laid bare the extent of the youth homelessness crisis. We need to do more. Today our young people are calling us to be bolder, to amplify their voices, and grow this movement to end youth homelessness.”

Rising to Tomorrow is a yearlong cross-channel campaign that offers opportunities to become informed and get involved in the fight to end youth homelessness through groundbreaking new research launches, engaging thought-leadership opportunities, meaningful in-person/virtual events, and our biggest global Sleep Out yet.

The campaign will feature Robin Roberts, anchor of ABC’s “Good Morning America,” who will be receiving the prestigious Covenant House Beacon of Hope award in recognition of her tireless efforts to amplify the voices of young people experiencing homelessness and inspiring millions of young people to be proud, strong, and brave. Robin joins an elite group of distinguished past Beacon of Hope award recipients including: First Lady Laura Bush; rock star and philanthropist Jon Bon Jovi; country star and philanthropist Martina McBride; Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman; humanitarian Olivia Harrison, wife of the late, great Beatle and philanthropist George; six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald; and Golden Globe and Emmy award winner Rachel Brosnahan.

“Our Rising to Tomorrow campaign will champion our strong, resilient young people and, with help from dedicated partners and amazing ambassadors like Robin Roberts, we will grow our movement and renew and strengthen our commitment to ending youth homelessness,” said Ryan. “It can be done, and it must be done.”

The goal of Rising to Tomorrow is to provide over 4 million nights of housing over the next five years, including opening more beds, serving more food, meeting more medical and mental health needs. “We will also amplify our advocacy efforts, for racially just housing and for human rights, attacking what we know are the root causes of youth homelessness,” said Ryan.

Covenant House could not meet this goal without the support of its partners and their commitment to help the organization end youth homelessness. The NBA, NBPA, Cisco, Take-Two Interactive, The Starbucks Foundation, Bank of America, and Delta Air Lines commented on the importance of fighting youth homelessness, and supporting Covenant House’s ambitious Rising to Tomorrow campaign:

“We are proud to work alongside our partners at the NBPA to support Covenant House as they launch Rising to Tomorrow and continue their decadeslong commitment to ending youth homelessness nationwide and in communities where the NBA and our teams live, work, and play,” said Kathy Behrens, NBA president of social responsibility and player program. “As many continue to be impacted by the pandemic, we know it is more critical than ever that we work to make a difference in the lives of at-risk young people.”

“Our investment in Covenant House reflects our players’ commitment to addressing inequities across communities and supporting the organizations that seek to improve the lives of those in need,” said Lyzz Ogunwo, interim executive director of the NBPA Foundation. “We are thrilled to be a part of this united effort to support this important work around homelessness.”

“For eight years, Cisco has been proud to partner with Covenant House as they serve youth overcoming homelessness,” said Fran Katsoudas, chief people, policy & purpose officer at Cisco. “We’ve engaged over 1,600 employees to help Covenant House programs in a wide variety of ways, all with the goal to build a bridge to hope for young people facing homelessness and survivors of human trafficking. We see this Rising to Tomorrow campaign as a new, exciting opportunity to expand our partnership and look forward to working with more of the amazing youth at Covenant House.”

“Youth homelessness is nothing short of a crisis,” said Strauss Zelnick, chair and CEO of Take-Two Interactive, who along with his spouse, Wendy Belzberg, was instrumental in funding a new, purpose-built facility in New York City which opened in November. “This Rising to Tomorrow initiative stares down the problem of youth homelessness and tackles it head on. If we succeed, we will get more of our most vulnerable youth, children without homes, and survivors of human trafficking out of harm’s way and onto a sustainable path to independence.”

“At Starbucks, we believe it is our responsibility to build bridges and advance equity on behalf of our partners (employees) and communities,” said Virginia Tenpenny, chief social impact officer at Starbucks and board member of The Starbucks Foundation. “Comprehensive support is critical to helping young people experiencing homelessness overcome systemic barriers to transform their lives and achieve sustainable independence. We are proud to work with Covenant House to support this initiative and create career pathways for unsheltered youth.”

“As an active partner in supporting Covenant House’s mission and principles, we know the impact that connecting youth to opportunity can have on the communities we serve,” said Stephanie Lomibao, senior vice president and ESG program manager for Bank of America. “We believe that initiatives like Rising to Tomorrow will advance economic mobility by helping individuals overcome extraordinary barriers. We are proud to be a part of this campaign as we collectively work to end youth homelessness.”

“Our partnership with Covenant House started back in 2012, and we’ve been fortunate to work with young people at Covenant House programs all across the U.S. and in Mexico City,” said Stephanie Asbury, senior vice president – global talent, Delta Air Lines. “We just opened a youth development center at Covenant House New York where youth will have a variety of classes and experiences, including resume writing, music and creative arts, poetry and creative writing, financial literacy and planning. Working with young people as they pursue their dreams continues to be an amazing gift to all of us at Delta Air Lines.”

To join us in the fight to end youth homelessness and support our work to provide over 4 million nights of housing, go to covenanthouse.org/50.

ABOUT COVENANT HOUSE
Covenant House is the largest primarily privately-funded agency in the Americas providing shelter, food, medical and mental health care, crisis intervention, educational and vocational services, and an array of supportive services to youth facing homelessness regardless of their race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression. For 50 years, Covenant House has served and advocated for youth and young families experiencing homelessness, human trafficking, and exploitation, providing them an environment rooted in unconditional love, absolute respect, and relentless support. Our staff and high-quality programs and services help young people achieve housing stability, heal from trauma, and hone their interests and skills to forge new pathways to independence. Our doors are open 24/7 and this work is carried out across Covenant House sites in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. For more information, go to covenanthouse.org.

SOURCE Covenant House

CONTACT: Tom Manning | SVP, Public Relations | tmanning@covenanthouse.org | 845.300.2126

SYRACUSE, N.Y. UnitedHealthcare and New York State 4-H Youth Development are expanding a successful partnership called Eat4-Health that helps tackle obesity by promoting healthy eating and active lifestyles among youth and families.

UnitedHealthcare is providing Cornell University Cooperative Extension, which administers 4-H programs in New York, a $40,000 grant to support youth healthy-living programs. A portion of the grant is being used to support healthy living programming, which includes the purchase of pedal-powered blender bikes that will be used for fun, energetic events where young people can create their own healthy smoothies through exercise.

The specially made stationary bikes are equipped with a blender mechanism that makes smoothies when pedaled. The bikes were unveiled on opening day of The Great New York State Fair, where 4-Hers, community leaders and UnitedHealthcare’s mascot Dr. Health E. Hound cheered on young fairgoers who created a healthy snack in a healthy way.

The grant, along with the smoothie bikes and other exercise equipment, will be used to support community events and programs this summer through spring 2015 in which youth and families can learn about easy ways to promote healthy lifestyles. Recipe cards, educational information and other resources will be distributed as part of the program. The goal is to encourage young people and their families to eat more nutritious foods and exercise regularly.

Cornell University Cooperative Extension and the New York State 4-H are working together to implement the grant, in collaboration with and in support of U.S. Department of Agriculture nutrition education programs.

A plan has been developed to provide innovative, hands-on learning to target underserved communities in the state, led by 4-H and Extension educators, volunteers and teen leaders to encourage youth and community participation.

“New York 4-H is very excited to team up with UnitedHealthcare to create a more hands-on opportunity for 4-H youth to promote active, healthy lifestyles,” said Andy Turner, New York 4-H Youth Development Program Leader. “These new pedal-powered resources are a great way for 4-H youth health ambassadors to spread vital important that supports habits of healthy living in our communities.”

UnitedHealthcare employees will help organize and host many of these events, and planning and implementing projects that lead to positive, sustainable change at the community and individual level. The company has already provided Cornell University Cooperative Extension $100,000 to support the Eat4-Health program since 2011.

“UnitedHealthcare is grateful for the opportunity to continue our work with New York 4-H to help educate young people about healthy lifestyles and exercise in their daily lives,” said Pat Celli, president, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of New York. “These bikes and educational resources provide a unique way to deliver these messages in a positive and meaningful way.”

UnitedHealthcare is providing $520,000 to National 4-H Council to support youth healthy-living programs. In addition to New York, other state 4-H programs receiving grants include Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin. Eat4-Health, which began in 2011, has already reached more than 210,000 young people and families across nine states through a positive campaign that has trained thousands of 4-H teen youth health ambassadors to promote healthy lifestyles in their communities.

According to America’s Health Rankings®, an annual comprehensive assessment of the nation’s health on a state-by-state basis, obesity is a leading risk factor for diabetes, heart disease and many cancers. Obesity continues to be at epidemic levels and is one of the fastest-growing health challenges confronting the nation. The report can be viewed and downloaded at www.americashealthrankings.org.

About 4-H
4-H, the nation’s largest youth development and empowerment organization, cultivates confident kids who tackle the issues that matter most in their communities right now. In the United States, 4-H programs empower six million young people through the 109 land-grant universities and Cooperative Extension in more than 3,000 local offices serving every county and parish in the country. Outside the United States, independent, country-led 4-H organizations empower one million young people in more than 50 countries. National 4-H Council is the private sector, non-profit partner of the Cooperative Extension System and 4-H National Headquarters located at the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Learn more about 4-H at www.4-H.org.

About UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people nationwide live healthier lives by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. The company offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with more than 800,000 physicians and care professionals, and 6,000 hospitals and other care facilities nationwide. Globally, UnitedHealthcare serves more than 45 million people in health benefits and is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being company.

Super Bowl leaves an impact long after the game has come and gone. As it does every year, the NFL seeks to improve the surrounding communities of the Super Bowl host city with a financial donation. This year, the NFL Foundation provided a $1 million grant to the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee via the Arizona Community Foundation to fund charitable projects throughout Arizona to support health and wellness programs for the Arizona community. This grant was matched by the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee for a total of more than $2 million.

Representatives from the NFL, Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee and the Arizona Cardinals gathered today to recognize the recipients of this year’s Super Bowl Legacy Grants. Arizona Cardinals President MICHAEL BIDWILL, NFL Commissioner Roger GOODELL and Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee Chairman DAVID ROUSSEAU made the announcement at ASU Preparatory Academy School, one of this year’s grant recipient locations. Before its Super Bowl makeover, the field at ASU Prep was in subpar condition for the thousands of youth who utilized it for organized sports and intramurals.

The event also recognized the Arizona Interscholastic Association’s (AIA) support of USA Football’s Heads Up Football program. The AIA’s support of Heads Up Football is part of Arizona’s comprehensive approach to student-athlete health. Following the press conference, high school athletic directors and football coaches from around the state attended an education session on the Heads Up Football program. Heads Up Football, which includes a focus on education and certification, equipment fitting, concussion recognition and awareness, heat and hydration, and Heads Up Tackling, was launched in 2012 by USA Football with the NFL’s support. As part of today’s event, ESPN also announced their support of Heads Up Football by donating $30,000 towards the initiative to help Arizona-based high school coaches become Heads Up Football certified in 2015.

A list of Super Bowl Legacy Grant recipients and the projects being funded by the NFL Foundation’s $1 million grant and the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee foundation’s $1 million contribution is below.

MINNEAPOLIS – Thrivent announced today that Nikki Pechet has been appointed to serve on Thrivent’s board of directors. She will join the board along with 13 other directors. Her term became effective on June 1, 2018.

The Thrivent board of directors is responsible for overseeing all matters pertaining to the not-for-profit, Fortune 500 membership organization. Thrivent’s mission is to help Christians on the Wise with Money Journey so they can live content, confident and generous lives. The organization serves more than 2 million members and has $136 billion in assets under management and advisement (as of 12/31/17).

“We’re excited to welcome Nikki to the board of directors and look forward to her contributions,” said Thrivent CEO Brad Hewitt. “Her unique experience will be an asset to the board as we work together to serve more Christians on their wise with money journeys and be their trusted guide along the way.”

Pechet will serve on the Thrivent Financial and Audit Committees of the board. Her background in marketing and technology will be beneficial as Thrivent seeks to reach more Christians in more ways across the United States. Her insights will be particularly helpful as Thrivent increasingly uses technology to attract, serve and delight its members.

Pechet is currently vice president of marketing and a member of the core executive team at Thumbtack, a growth-stage technology company that is addressing the $700B+ U.S. local services market. In her role, she drives performance marketing by overseeing Thumbtack’s brand narrative, developing new acquisition channels for the digital world and building world-class teams focused on diversity and inclusion. She previously was a principal at Bain & Company where she led growth strategy for dozens of Fortune 500 companies across a spectrum of industries.

Pechet earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in business administration from Harvard Business School. She and her family reside in San Francisco, Calif.

To learn more about Thrivent’s board of directors and read board member biographies, visit: www.thrivent.com/governance.

About Thrivent Financial
Thrivent is a not-for-profit financial services organization that helps Christians on the Wise With Money Journey. As a mission-driven, membership-owned organization, it offers its more than 2 million members and customers a broad range of financial products, services and guidance to help them obtain a life of contentment, confidence and generosity. Thrivent and its subsidiary and affiliate companies offer insurance, investments, banking and advice over the phone, online as well as through financial representatives and independent agents nationwide. Thrivent is a FORTUNE 500 company with $136 billion in assets under management/advisement (as of 12/31/17). For more than a century it has helped Christians make wise money choices that reflect their values while providing them opportunities to demonstrate their generosity where they live, work and worship. For more information, visit Thrivent.com. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2014 is to be awarded to Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzay for their struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education. Children must go to school and not be financially exploited. In the poor countries of the world, 60% of the present population is under 25 years of age. It is a prerequisite for peaceful global development that the rights of children and young people be respected. In conflict-ridden areas in particular, the violation of children leads to the continuation of violence from generation to generation.

Showing great personal courage, Kailash Satyarthi, maintaining Gandhi’s tradition, has headed various forms of protests and demonstrations, all peaceful, focusing on the grave exploitation of children for financial gain. He has also contributed to the development of important international conventions on children’s rights.

Despite her youth, Malala Yousafzay has already fought for several years for the right of girls to education, and has shown by example that children and young people, too, can contribute to improving their own situations. This she has done under the most dangerous circumstances. Through her heroic struggle she has become a leading spokesperson for girls’ rights to education.

The Nobel Committee regards it as an important point for a Hindu and a Muslim, an Indian and a Pakistani, to join in a common struggle for education and against extremism. Many other individuals and institutions in the international community have also contributed. It has been calculated that there are 168 million child labourers around the world today. In 2000 the figure was 78 million higher. The world has come closer to the goal of eliminating child labour.

The struggle against suppression and for the rights of children and adolescents contributes to the realization of the “fraternity between nations” that Alfred Nobel mentions in his will as one of the criteria for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Oslo, 10 October 2014

BOSTON, Following the successful launch of AIR, a new cloud-based platform allowing organizations to offer an anonymous incident reporting system to its employees, NorthstarPMO Inc. today announced that it is making the system available to schools and nonprofits in the US completely free of charge.

AIR is a SaaS (software-as-a-service) platform that makes anonymous reporting systems accessible to smaller organizations for the first time.

Free anonymous reporting software for schools and nonprofits
Free anonymous reporting software for schools and nonprofits
“Every day, hard-working employees in smaller businesses are exposed to harassment, toxic environments, and other forms of abuse” says David Bradshaw, SVP of Client Services at Northstar. “AIR gives these victims a voice, allowing them to take a stand and make the workplace safer for everyone. What sets our system apart from the rest is that it within reach of any organization. AIR requires no software or hardware installation, can be set up in 10 minutes, and is available for a low monthly fee – discounted for organizations with fewer than 100 employees.”

Bradshaw continues: “In designing a system that is financially and technically more accessible to smaller organizations, we have also put anonymous reporting systems within reach of nonprofit organizations that work hard to improve our communities, on very limited budgets. Today’s announcement goes one step further and enables any nonprofit in the US to deploy an anonymous reporting system in 10 minutes, completely free of charge.”

Features of AIR include:

Fully managed anonymous reporting platform
No software or hardware installations required
Access from any device, anywhere
Secure, two-way messaging preserving anonymity
Intuitive user experience, similar to text messaging
Innovative Responder Groups feature allows users to choose who sees their messages
Optional SMS and Email notifications for new reports and responses
AIR is available now, FREE for US-based schools and nonprofits, and starting at just $49 per month for for-profit organizations with fewer than 100 employees. A free trial is available.

For more information on AIR, visit https://www.northstarpmo.com/anonymous-reporting-service/.

About Northstar: Northstar is the People Operations company supporting the growth of SMEs and non-profits nationwide. We offer a range of services to help with HR operations, payroll/benefits, HR audits, recruiting, employee handbooks, as well as strategic projects such as workforce planning, leadership training, and DEIB programs. Headquartered in Boston, MA, Northstar is set up to operate with remote clients, enabling us to serve our clients no matter where they are in the world.

Media Contact:
David Bradshaw
NorthstarPMO Inc.
+1 617-286-2212
344273@email4pr.com
https://www.northstarpmo.com/

SOURCE NorthstarPMO Inc

NEW YORK, – More than 12 million children in over 46 countries have better schools, teachers and learning materials, thanks to a 13-year partnership between the IKEA Foundation, Save the Children and UNICEF.

Since 2003, the IKEA Foundation’s ‘Soft Toys for Education’ campaign has contributed €88 million to Save the Children and UNICEF, helping to increase school attendance for some of the world’s most marginalized and vulnerable children. Funds have also helped train teachers, provide educational materials and improve child protection systems in schools and communities.

“Education is the most solid road leading out of poverty. All children have the right to an education but still too many are left behind. Partnering with UNICEF and Save the Children for 13 years has allowed us to address this issue strategically and invest in improving the quality of education in some of the world’s poorest communities—and we’re incredibly grateful to the IKEA customers and co-workers who have worked so hard to make that right a reality for over 12 million children,” said Per Heggenes, CEO IKEA Foundation

In Ethiopia, funds from the IKEA Foundation have helped UNICEF reach children in rural farming communities with basic education. The flexible schooling model has been so successful that the Ethiopian government has rolled it out nationally.

In China, IKEA Foundation funding helped develop early-childhood development centres for disadvantaged children living in selected rural communities. The impact of these centres on children’s lives contributed to the Government of China’s decision to universalize preschool education.

“UNICEF is grateful to the IKEA Foundation, IKEA co-workers and customers for the commitment demonstrated over the past 13 years to help transform children’s lives through education,” said UNICEF Global Chief of Education Josephine Bourne. “We will continue to build on these achievements so that many more of the world’s most vulnerable and marginalized children are given the opportunity to build a better future for themselves and their families through education.”

With the support of the IKEA Foundation, Save the Children has worked in 17 countries in Asia and Europe to provide educational opportunities for previously out-of-school children, to improve the learning environment and to train teachers on child-centred, nonviolent, and inclusive teaching methodology.

In Bangladesh, the Philippines and Vietnam, Save the Children has, together with education authorities and civil society organizations, supported policy reform and practices to ensure that children from minority groups learn in a language they understand.

“Education is a human right and the means by which to equip children with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in the world. It also saves lives, protects and builds peace. Save the Children is extremely grateful for the partnership we have with the IKEA Foundation and the support we receive from IKEA employees and customers around the globe. Together, we have made an enormous difference for children with disabilities and children from ethnic minority groups, and Save the Children will not rest until all children have the opportunity to learn,” said David Skinner, Director of Save the Children’s Education Global Initiative.

Although the Soft Toys for Education campaign has ended its successful run, the IKEA Foundation will continue its commitment to UNICEF and Save the Children through ongoing grants in Eastern Europe, sub-Saharan Africa and Asia in the areas of education, early-childhood care and development, child protection, adolescence and humanitarian response.

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Brazilian and FC Barcelona soccer star Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior with his Neymar Jr. Project Institute is joining forces with PayPal to bring clean water to communities in need across Brazil, through Waves for Water. The program asks people around the world to “compete” on behalf of their countries to contribute the most to this important cause, funded via PayPal.

The campaign, which begins today and ends July 13, will enable anyone with a PayPal account to help provide tens of thousands of Brazilians with access to clean water through their generous donations. Access to clean water is a precursor to any economic development plan. Despite Brazil’s vast economic growth, the country is still home to many thousands for whom clean water is a luxury.

It is a cause close to Neymar Jr.’s heart. While he enjoys the adulation of millions worldwide, he recognizes his good luck and fortune. His Neymar Jr. Project Institute has a track record of supporting Waves for Water and other charitable endeavors in his home country and promotes community education and physical activity facilities that afford access to culture and sport for young people.

“I am extremely proud to work with PayPal to support Waves for Water,” said Neymar Jr. “It deeply saddens me that so many people from my home country of Brazil have limited access to clean water, a gift so many of us take for granted. Through this campaign I hope we can touch people’s lives in a meaningful way and raise enough funds to bring safe, clean water to communities in need across my beloved Brazil.”

Waves for Water is an NGO that raises funds to purchase clean water filters for distribution to communities in need. As part of this campaign, consumers can donate on behalf of any of the thirty two countries that will be competing in Brazil this summer to win bragging rights as the country that raises the most funds to support Waves for Water. PayPal will enable consumers in these countries to make contributions quickly, easily and in a secure way.

Additionally, between June 12-22, fans can head to eBay.com to bid on soccer gear signed by Neymar Jr., with all proceeds benefitting Waves for Water. The exclusive eBay auction includes items such as soccer balls and cleats, flat brim hats and Brazil National and Barcelona jerseys – all signed by Neymar Jr. with free global shipping.

Here in the U.S., not only will people be able to donate at http://us.competitionforgood.com, but they’ll also be able to support Waves for Water right through the PayPal app when they order ahead from their favorite Eat24 restaurants. Starting June 12, when a customer orders ahead through the PayPal app, PayPal will make a $3 donation on their behalf.

“This summer soccer fans worldwide will join together for one of the greatest displays of global camaraderie we have and we wanted to design a clean water project that would reflect that. With Brazilian star player, Neymar Jr., and the Neymar Jr. Project Institute advocating for us we really couldn’t have asked for a better partner than PayPal to bring this project to life,” said Jon Rose, Founder of Waves for Water. “Their global network is the perfect stage to rally the masses and get people all over the world behind this cause.”

“PayPal is committed to building a worldwide network for good that inspires everyone to take action,” said Carey Kolaja, Vice President of Global Product Solutions, PayPal. “We couldn’t be more proud to work with international sports superstar Neymar Jr., his Institute and Waves for Water to power the people economy through supporting a cause that will make a real difference in the lives of thousands in Brazil.”

The funds raised in each participating country will be used to buy water filters that will be distributed in the cities where the thirty two national teams will play. To make a donation, visit: http://www.competitionforgood.com
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About Waves for Water
Waves for Water works on the front lines to provide clean water to communities in need around the world. In addition to their primary focus around clean water, the organization has coordinated strategic disaster relief efforts throughout the world and works directly with world leaders and strategic partners who take a no-nonsense attitude toward making global change. http://www.wavesforwater.org

About Instituto Projeto Neymar Jr.
The Instituto Projeto Neymar Jr. is a non-profit and private organization dedicated to social causes. It is an educational and sports complex in Jardim da Glória, Praia Grande, in service of needy children and their families. All activities will be held in the complex located in an area belonging to the city hall in a concession system for 30 years, to be renewed for 30 more. The complex is 8,400 square feet and will serve about 2,300 children between 7 and 14 years old. The children’s parents or relatives will also receive attention, allowing us to reach out to 10 thousand people initially. The Institute will be built with its own resources and private sponsorship. The activities will benefit from natural and legal people’s tax incentives as well as from spontaneous donations in order to give the community what Neymar Jr. couldn’t enjoy within the space he grew up in. http://www.wavesforwater.org/project/sede-de-vencer

About PayPal
At PayPal, we put people at the center of everything we do. Founded in 1998, we continue to be at the forefront of the digital payments revolution, giving people direct control over their money. Through our innovations, we make life better for our over 148 million active accounts in 26 currencies and across 193 markets, processing more than 9 million payments daily. An eBay Inc. (NASDAQ: EBAY) company, PayPal is the faster, safer way to pay and get paid. The service gives people simpler ways to send money without sharing financial information, and with the flexibility to pay using their account balances, bank accounts or credit cards.

This is courtesy of www.paypal.com

COMPTON, Calif., — Four hundred Compton families facing economic hardship will receive enough food to supplement meals for a week plus daily essentials, thanks to a partnership between PepsiCo, the Magic Johnson Foundation and Feed the Children. The event kicks off at 11 a.m. at Compton Unified School District Headquarters, 417 W. Alondra Blvd., Compton.

Today’s distribution event is part of a larger initiative between PepsiCo and Feed the Children in cities throughout the United States. In Compton, more than 26 percent of families live below the poverty line. As the holiday season fast approaches, this event will allow families to reallocate their limited resources.              
                                                                                                                                
The receiving families have been identified and preselected by the Compton Unified School District Headquarters, a local nonprofit organization.

“We believe no child should go to bed hungry in a land where there is plenty of food,” said Travis Arnold, Feed the Children Interim CEO/President and COO. “But the reality is, millions of boys and girls, right here in our own backyard, face this hardship every day. Thanks to our generous partners, PepsiCo and the Magic Johnson Foundation, today we are able to help these families rest a little easier knowing they don’t have to worry about where their next meal is coming from.”

Each qualifying recipient family will be given:
One 25-pound box of nonperishable food items
One 15-pound box of personal-care items
One box of AVON products
Disney books
Frito-Lay snacks
PepsiCo beverages
Tropicana Juice
Quaker Chewy Granola Bars
Quaker Standard Oats

“PepsiCo is grateful for the opportunity to give something back to the Compton community through donating and volunteering our time at this wonderful event,” said Phil Schmich, director of distribution sales, PepsiCo Food Service.  “We are passionate about creating an inclusive environment within the communities where we live and work, in an effort to make a positive impact.”
“The holidays are always a difficult time for families who are facing financial difficulty. We have been committed to these families for 20 years. We are so thankful that our partnership with PepsiCo and Feed the Children is allowing us to go above and beyond this holiday season with all of the additional wonderful items that will be given to families. We know that this will make a tremendous impact on the lives of 400 families,” said Shane Jenkins, vice president of the Magic Johnson Foundation.

About Feed the Children
Established in 1979, Feed the Children exists to end child hunger. It is one of the largest U.S.-based charities and serves those in need in the U.S. and in 10 countries around the world. It provides food, education, essentials and disaster relief. Domestically, it operates 5 distribution centers (located in Oklahoma, Indiana, California, Tennessee and Pennsylvania).
In fiscal year 2015, Feed the Children distributed 107 million pounds of food and essentials valued at $302 million to people in the U.S., and internationally, it sponsored nearly 24,500 children, addressing the root causes of poverty through sponsorship of children, communities and schools. It is accredited by GuideStar Exchange, the BBB Wise Giving Alliance and is rated by Charity Navigator.
Visit www.feedthechildren.org for more information.

About PepsiCo
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $63 billion in net revenue in 2015, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker and Tropicana. PepsiCo’s product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including 22 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

At the heart of PepsiCo is Performance with Purpose – our goal to deliver top-tier financial performance while creating sustainable growth and shareholder value. In practice, Performance with Purpose means providing a wide range of foods and beverages from treats to healthy eats; finding innovative ways to minimize our impact on the environment and reduce our operating costs; providing a safe and inclusive workplace for our employees globally; and respecting, supporting and investing in the local communities where we operate. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com/

Florham Park, NJ, Committed to providing parents with resources about the importance of combining good nutrition with activities to support children’s early brain and language development, Too Small to Fail (Too Small), Scholastic, National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI), Barbershop Books, Spotify and Gerber Products Company partnered to develop the Meal Time is Talk Time Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Commitment to Action. The commitment – launched at the sixth annual CGI America meeting – provides a nutritional component to the cognitive and language development work done by Too Small to Fail, highlighting the connection between good nutrition and early brain development. Over the course of a year, 100,000 children in underserved communities nationwide will receive a bilingual nutrition-themed children’s book as part of the program. The children’s book, At the Farmer’s Market, funded by a $200,000 grant from Gerber, will include customized messages on the back cover to help families engage in language-rich interactions about healthy foods during everyday moments and promotes mealtime conversations. To complement the book, Spotify will develop a special curated Gerber musical playlist that includes songs emphasizing nutritious foods, healthy eating habits and family mealtimes.

Almost 60 percent of American children start kindergarten unprepared, lagging behind their peers in critical language, math and social-emotional skills. “We know that nutrition plays a critical role in cognitive development which is fundamental to developing skills needed for academic and social-emotional successes. This partnership brings together a roster of truly amazing organizations dedicated toward the health and overall success of children. Gerber is excited to lend its nutritional expertise on the first 1,000 days of life, a critical time for setting up children on a healthy trajectory,” said Dr. Wendy Johnson-Askew.

Scholastic’s At the Farmer’s Market/En el Mercado, authored by Anna W. Bardaus and illustrated by Steffane McClary, exposes children to seasonal fruits and vegetables. The bilingual (English/Spanish) book will be distributed to Too Small’s local cities campaigns and through NBCDI’s affiliate networks across the US, including NBCDI’s Good for Me nutrition education program for young children. Barbershop Books will also make the book available through its growing network of child-friendly reading spaces in barbershops across the country. Together, Gerber, Scholastic and Too Small will leverage their respective digital platforms to raise awareness of the program and engage families around Meal Time is Talk Time.

About Gerber
Gerber, founded in 1928, is a Nestlé products company. Nestlé and Gerber’s combined resources and scientific research expertise have enabled the company to become a worldwide leader in early childhood nutrition. Gerber produces more than 400 food products, all of which are a part of the proprietary Gerber® Start Healthy, Stay Healthy™ nutrition system. The Gerber® Start Healthy, Stay Healthy™ nutrition system combines products, educational resources and services that are designed to encourage the early establishment of healthy eating habits in children from birth to preschool.

About Too Small To Fail
Too Small to Fail, a joint initiative of the Clinton Foundation and The Opportunity Institute, is leading a public awareness and action campaign to promote the importance of early brain and language development and to empower parents with tools to talk, read, and sing with their young children from birth. Today, almost 60 percent of children in the United States start kindergarten unprepared, lagging behind their peers in critical language, math, and social-emotional skills. Through partnerships with pediatricians, hospitals, faith-based leaders, community based organizations, businesses, entertainment industry leaders, and others, Too Small to Fail is meeting parents where they are to help them prepare their children for success in school and beyond. Whether at the pediatrician’s office or the playground, Too Small to Fail aims to make small moments big by creating opportunities for meaningful interactions anytime, anywhere.

About Clinton Global Initiative America
Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) America brings together leaders from the business, philanthropic, nonprofit, and government sectors to develop solutions that encourage economic growth, support long-term competitiveness, and increase social mobility in the United States. CGI America’s annual convening is designed to be a working meeting that promotes collaboration. Each CGI America participant makes a Commitment to Action: a new, specific, and measurable plan that supports increased economic growth and opportunity. To date, CGI America participants have made nearly 600 commitments, which have improved the lives of more than 4.9 million people.

NEWARK, N.J., – The PSEG Foundation is pleased to announce its new strategic pillars of environmental sustainability, social justice, and equity and economic empowerment. The PSEG Foundation funds grants to more than 200 nonprofit organizations that have an impact in communities in New Jersey and Long Island, N.Y. Over the past five years, the PSEG Foundation has awarded more than $40 million in grants through various programs including strategic partnerships, the Neighborhood Partners Program and a robust employee matching gift program to help organizations that support thousands of individuals and families across the region.

“It is a privilege for the PSEG Foundation to support and celebrate the work of these organizations, whose generosity serve the needs of millions of people in the communities we serve in New Jersey and Long Island,” Senior Vice President for Corporate Citizenship and PSEG Foundation Chairperson Rick Thigpen said. “Our new strategic pillars represent the true essence of the PSEG Foundation’s support of underserved communities.”

Most recently, the PSEG Foundation awarded nearly $1.8 million in grants to Montclair State University Foundation for its Green Teams program; Foundation for NJIT for a number of programs, including scholarships; American Red Cross for the Home Fire Campaign; New Jersey Hall of Fame for educational programming; and Community FoodBank of New Jersey for its Recovery Challenge Initiative.

This is in addition to its regular support for the Arbor Day Foundation, Greater Newark Habitat for Humanity, Hampton University, Howard University, North Carolina A&T, Rutgers University, Stevens Institute of Technology, Stony Brook University, Sustainable Jersey, The Nature Conservancy, The New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, UNCF and many more critically important organizations.

“The pandemic revealed many inequalities and inequities facing our communities,” PSEG Foundation President Calvin Ledford Jr. said. “For that reason, the PSEG Foundation has allocated $1 million to our Neighborhood Partners Program to support nonprofits working at a grassroots level. Through the Neighborhood Partners Program, the PSEG Foundation supports nonprofits that are addressing the social determinants of health, food insecurity, social and environmental justice, and other issues. The PSEG Foundation is committed to helping build sustainable and thriving communities by empowering and investing in the many diverse communities we are honored to serve.”

PSEG is a predominantly regulated infrastructure company focused on a clean energy future, powered by a diverse, dedicated and highly skilled workforce. The PSEG Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, is the philanthropic arm of PSEG. Guided by its Powering Progress vision, PSEG aims to power a future where people use less energy, and it’s cleaner, safer and delivered more reliably than ever.

Here’s what just a few of our partners are saying:

“The PSEG Foundation is a dedicated, longstanding supporter of our mission,” said Carlos Rodriguez, president and CEO of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. “For many years, their partnership has been essential to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey’s ability to combat hunger and its root causes in service of the 800,000 food insecure people in our state. Recently, the PSEG Foundation provided generous disaster relief support for our Recovery Challenge Initiative, which will allow us to offer emergency response, to help build back communities, and to increase our investment in historically under-resourced neighborhoods.”

“We are very grateful for PSEG’s vision for a socially just New Jersey and for its support of our work to achieve racial justice and equity in our state,” said Ryan Haygood, president and CEO of the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice. “PSEG Foundation has helped make possible the institute’s work to transform our broken youth justice system and to help ensure New Jersey’s young people get the mental health support they need. It has also allowed our team to travel to Selma, Alabama, for annual commemorations of the iconic voting rights march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, increasing our team’s knowledge as well as our motivation to expand New Jersey’s democracy. The PSEG Foundation’s contribution to that and other work is deeply appreciated.”

“PSEG Foundation grants are instrumental in Stevens’ efforts to support energy innovation and public service, two areas of strong mutual interest,” Stevens Institute of Technology President Nariman Farvardin said. “The PSEG Foundation’s generosity has benefited scores of students, particularly underrepresented minorities and those in underserved communities — many directly due to the foundation’s support for the university’s Lore-El Women’s Leadership Center, Stevens ACES (Accessing Careers in Engineering and Science) initiative and our pre-college program. Through the collaborative efforts of this partnership, Stevens’ faculty will continue to pioneer high-impact research in resilience and sustainability, which are of significant consequence for the future of society.”

“PSEG Foundation grants are instrumental in Sustainable Jersey’s efforts to support municipalities, schools and school districts in achieving their local sustainability goals and making progress on critical issues of statewide and global concern such as climate action,” said Randall Solomon, executive director of Sustainable Jersey. “The PSEG Foundation helps our organization strengthen the efforts of New Jersey communities as they create a new era of sustainability in New Jersey – one that secures economic, environmental and societal well-being.”

About the PSEG Foundation
The PSEG Foundation, 501(c)(3), the philanthropic arm of Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG), prioritizes investments promoting environmental sustainability, social justice, and equity and economic empowerment. Headquartered in Newark, N.J., PSEG is a predominantly regulated infrastructure company focused on a clean energy future. In 2021, PSEG was named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index North America for the 14th consecutive year, named to the JUST 100 as one of America’s Most JUST Companies, and has been listed among America’s Most Responsible Companies for 2022 by Newsweek (https://corporate.pseg.com/).

Visit PSEG at:
www.pseg.com
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PSEG on LinkedIn
PSEG Energize!

CONTACT:
Media Relations
Marijke Shugrue
908-531-4253
Marijke.Shugrue@pseg.com

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — With millions more children facing hunger than before the pandemic hit, QDOBA, the leading fast-casual Mexican restaurant, today announced it is partnering with No Kid Hungry, a national campaign to end childhood hunger in America, for its fifth consecutive year supporting the organization’s fall fundraising efforts. Since the partnership was established in 2017, QDOBA has raised over half a million dollars for No Kid Hungry through in-store and online donations, which can help provide up to 5 million meals to children in need1.

QDOBA Mexican Eats Supports No Kid Hungry with Limited-Time Promotion
QDOBA Mexican Eats Supports No Kid Hungry with Limited-Time Promotion
Before the pandemic, the number of children struggling with hunger had been steadily decreasing for a decade. According to the USDA, in 2019, 10.7 million children lived in a family considered “food insecure,” a record low. However, in the wake of the coronavirus, as many as 1 in 6 kids in the United States, or about 13 million, live in food-insecure homes and may face hunger this year.

To support this worthy cause, now through October 3, 2021, any in-restaurant guest who donates $2 to No Kid Hungry at participating QDOBA locations will receive a free order of chips and queso with the purchase of any entrée (coupon redeemable through October 10, 2021). Guests will also be able to show their support of No Kid Hungry by adding their name to a wall hanging in their local restaurant.

“Children and their families will feel the impact of the COVID-19 crisis well into the future,” said Diana Hovey, senior vice president at Share Our Strength, the organization behind the No Kid Hungry campaign. “But childhood hunger remains solvable, and we are incredibly grateful for partners like QDOBA, who make it easy for people everywhere to get involved.”

“We applaud No Kid Hungry’s outstanding efforts to end childhood hunger in America,” said Keith Guilbault, QDOBA CEO. “QDOBA is proud to have helped raise nearly $600,000 to benefit No Kid Hungry through our long-standing partnership, but food insecurity remains a serious issue. We recognize that even the smallest donation can make a big impact, and through a very simple gesture we are able to provide critical meals to children in need across the country with the help of our guests, employees and friends.”

For more information, visit www.QDOBA.com.

About QDOBA Mexican Eats
QDOBA is a fast-casual Mexican restaurant with more than 740 locations in the U.S. and Canada. QDOBA uses ingredients prepared in-house, by hand, and fresh throughout the day, to create delicious menu options. Guests can experience QDOBA’s delicious flavors by enjoying one of its signature menu options that are chef-crafted for convenience and ease or by customizing their burritos, bowls, tacos, quesadillas, nachos and salads to fit their personal tastes. For three years running, QDOBA has been voted the “Best Fast Casual Restaurant” as part of the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Discover more at www.QDOBA.com or on the QDOBA app, which is available for download on the iTunes App Store or Google Play. Fans can also connect with QDOBA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

1 $1 can help provide up to 10 meals. Meal equivalency varies during COVID-19 relief. No Kid Hungry does not provide individual meals; your donations help support programs that feed kids. Learn more at NoKidHungry.org/OneDollar.

SOURCE QDOBA

CONTACT: Aleaha Kopec, Havas Formula, (619) 234-0345, QDOBA@HavasFormula.com

Related Links
https://www.QDOBA.com

The American Red Cross is helping people in Alaska and California impacted by wildfires and those affected by a tornado that touched down Monday in North Dakota.

In Alaska, a wildfire on the Kenai Peninsula has consumed about 176,000 acres and is only 30 percent contained. Residents in several subdivisions were ordered to evacuate. Red Cross workers opened two shelters and are providing meals and comfort kits to those affected as well as health and mental health services.

In California, a wildfire in Mariposa County has burned about 500 acres and firefighters have been unable to contain the fire. Area residents were forced to evacuate. Red Cross workers are providing shelter, serving meals and distributing comfort kits for those forced to leave their homes.

In North Dakota, a tornado hit an oil workers’ camp without warning, destroying all the campers’ vehicles and forcing them to evacuate from the area in McKenzie County. The Red Cross is providing shelter and meals for those affected.

WILDFIRE SAFETY Dry weather and high winds have caused several large wildfires in the last several weeks. Many states have instituted bans on outside burning. If a fire occurs, listen to your local media for updates and be ready to leave quickly. Back your car into the garage or park it in an open space facing your direction of escape. You should also:

1. Keep your pets in one room so you can find them quickly if you have to evacuate.

2. Arrange for a temporary place to stay outside the threatened area.

3. Keep your indoor air clean – close windows and doors to prevent the smoke outside from getting in your home.

4. Use the recycle mode on the air conditioner in your home or car. If you don’t have air conditioning and it’s too hot to be inside, seek shelter somewhere else.

5. If smoke levels are high, don’t use anything that burns and adds to air pollution inside such as candles, fireplaces and gas stoves.

AFTER THE FIRE, don’t go home until fire officials say it is safe. Be cautious entering a burned area – hazards could still exist. Avoid damaged or downed power lines, poles and wires. Other things to do include:

1. Keep your animals under your direct control. Hidden embers and hot spots could burn them.

2. Wet down debris to minimize breathing dust particles.

3. Wear leather gloves and shoes with heavy soles.

4. Throw out any food that has been exposed to heat, smoke or soot.

5. Recheck for smoke or sparks throughout your home for several hours after the fire, including in your attic. Wildfire winds can blow burning embers anywhere so check for embers that could cause a fire.

PREPAREDNESS APPS To help prepare for disasters whenever and wherever they may strike, download the suite of Red Cross mobile apps. Popular apps this time of year include the Wildfire App, Tornado App and Hurricane App that include what to do before, during and after the disaster. The First Aid App is another great one to have at your fingertips with expert advice for everyday emergencies such as cuts, burns and other accidents. Download them directly from the iTunes and Google Play app stores.

For information about how to stay safe in many different kinds of emergencies, visit the “Be Prepared” information on this web site.

Tags: Tornado Response 2014, Severe Weather 2014, Wildfire Safety 2014.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Red Cross remains on the ground, with volunteers across nearly half of the state of Louisiana helping the thousands of people who have lost everything they own in the devastating flooding last week. But the relief organization reports a significant gap in funds raised.

To date, the Red Cross has received approximately $7.8 million in donations and pledges designated to support Louisiana – not nearly enough to cover the estimate of at least $30 million in costs.

“This intense storm wasn’t given a name, but it affected as many as 110,000 homes in Louisiana and has changed countless lives forever,” said Brad Kieserman, vice president, Disaster Services Operations and Logistics for the Red Cross. “The situation in Louisiana remains critical. People need help, and they need it now. The Red Cross is providing for immediate needs like food and shelter, and will be there during the clean-up and recovery.”

“The last time this country saw a disaster this devastating was Superstorm Sandy in 2012,” Kieserman said. “Today, we are sounding the alarm to urge people to make a financial donation to help our friends and neighbors in Louisiana.”

Learn more here how the Red Cross is giving people a place to go when there is no place to go through the words of one woman who has lost everything.

More than 1,900 Red Cross workers from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico are supporting the relief effort, along with hundreds of local residents. In addition to providing food and shelter, Red Cross volunteers are providing emotional support to help people cope. Health services volunteers are monitoring the health needs of people in shelters and replacing things like lost wheelchairs, eyeglasses and medications.

It’s been more than a week since the floodwaters destroyed and damaged thousands of homes and together with local, state and national partners, the Red Cross has already:

Served more than 260,000 meals and snacks.
Distributed more than 60,000 relief items.
Provided more than 40,000 overnight stays in emergency shelters. Sunday night almost 3,000 people were still seeking refuge in 19 Red Cross and community shelters.
Handled more than 17,000 calls from people seeking information and help.
HOW TO HELP Help people affected by the Louisiana Floods by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word LAFLOODS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from these disasters.

CORPORATIONS HELP The generous donations from members of the Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP) and the Disaster Responder Program enable the American Red Cross to prepare communities for disasters big and small, respond whenever and wherever disasters occur and help families during the recovery process.

ADGP $1 Million members are: American Airlines; Anheuser-Busch Foundation; Anthem Foundation; Boise Paper; Caterpillar Foundation; Costco Wholesale; Delta Air Lines; Disney; Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation; FedEx Corporation; The Home Depot Foundation; Humble Bundle; LDS Charities; Lowe’s Companies, Inc.; Mazda North American Operations; Merck Foundation; Nationwide Foundation; State Farm; Target; UPS; VSP℠ Vision care for life; and Walmart and the Walmart Foundation.

ADGP $500,000 members are: Altria Group; American Express; Aon; Bank of America; Capital One; Cisco Foundation; Citi Foundation; Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation; Discover; Edison International; Farmers Insurance; Ford Motor Company; Grainger; John Deere Foundation; Johnson Controls; Medtronic; Meijer; Mondelēz International Foundation; National Grid; PepsiCo Foundation; Prudential Foundation; Ryder; Southwest Airlines; Sprint; Sunoco; The TJX Companies, Inc.; United Airlines; United Technologies Corporation; Visa; Wawa; and Wells Fargo.

Disaster Responder Program members are: Alcoa; Almost Family; Astellas USA Foundation; AT&T; AvalonBay Communities, Inc.; AXA; Ball Foundation; BNY Mellon; CarMax; The Clorox Company; Cox Automotive; DTE Energy Foundation; Duke Energy; Entergy Corporation; General Motors Foundation; Harbor Freight Tools; Hewlett Packard Enterprise Foundation; Hi-Rez Studios; HP Foundation; IBM Corporation; IKEA; Ingersoll Rand Foundation; Interstate All Battery Center; Land O’Lakes, Inc.; MetLife Foundation; Morgan Stanley; Neiman Marcus Group; New Balance Foundation; Northrop Grumman Corporation; Northwestern Mutual and the Northwestern Mutual Foundation; Procter & Gamble Company; PSEG Foundation; PuroClean Disaster Recovery; Red Heart Yarns; ScriptRelief; Sealed Air; SERVPRO; Southeastern Grocers Home of BI-LO Harveys Winn Dixie; T O Y O T A; U.S. Bank; and U-Haul International.

MINNEAPOLIS — Now in its third year, Thrivent’s 2024 Boomerang Kids Survey reveals nearly half the parents surveyed (46%) have had their adult children “boomerang” back home to live with them at some point. Fifty percent of them blame the rising cost of rent and housing. That’s a big jump from just 35% who said the same last year.

“This is a wakeup call that’s gone unanswered,” says Chaz Black, Thrivent financial advisor. “More young adults returning home underscores the enormous – and growing – financial pressures they’re facing after graduation. The ripple effect it has on them and their parents is a problem we can’t afford to ignore.”

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Latest survey from Thrivent finds the trend of young adults moving home with their parents – also known as the Boomerang phenomenon – keeps rising.

Other data shows the breadth of consequences – from delaying milestones to jeopardizing their financial futures:

Drowning in debt: Many young adults are delaying financial priorities because of student loan debt, like buying a home (39%), saving for retirement (34%) or building emergency savings (36%). Additionally, 28% of young adults with student loans say they’re currently living paycheck to paycheck, and only 22% say their first job helped them pay down their debt.

Parents feel the pinch: With adult children living at home, parents deprioritize their own financial needs. For example, 38% say they are struggling to pay off debt (up from 23% from last year) and 37% find it harder to save for long-term goals like retirement or housing, a considerable jump from 16% last year.

Not making the grade: Among parents who have an adult child currently living with them, more than half don’t feel confident their child is ready to be financially independent: 55% would give their kid a C grade or lower on financial readiness and 11% would give an F.

One solution could be more education before taking on debt. An overwhelming majority of both parents and young adults surveyed (83%) believe high schools should teach a mandatory ‘financial aid 101’ course.
Thrivent’s survey data points to the importance of having a financial plan. Without one, it’s hard for parents to know how much they can afford to help their child. A financial advisor can help parents create a plan that looks at everything they earn and spend. This way, they can see how helping their child now might affect their ability to save for things like retirement or healthcare in the future.

Here are additional tips from Thrivent to help parents navigate the situation and get on track financially:

Set clear rules and stick to them – Parents should make sure their child knows the limits to their support. They can do this by having an honest conversation and developing a written plan that covers: 1) how long they’ll provide financial support, 2) what the money should be used for, 3) who pays for what, and 4) how their child will prove they’re making progress financially.

Teach good money habits – While their child is at home, parents can teach them how to budget and manage money wisely, set achievable financial goals, build an emergency savings fund and borrow money responsibly. These evergreen financial lessons can set the stage for long-term independence.

Be a role model – Leading by example is a powerful way for parents to teach their children about managing money. Parents should involve their children in financial planning conversations and explain the ‘why’ behind their decisions. This will help their kids do the same once they start handling their own finances.
Survey Methodology
This poll was conducted in April 2024 among a national sample of 2,201 Adults. The aim of this research was to track consumers’ sentiment and experiences with student loans and, for those who are 40-65 years old with children 18-35, understanding if and how having their adult children move back home and/or needing financial assistance impacted them. The interviews were conducted online and the data were weighted to approximate a target sample of Adults in the United States based on gender, education, age, race, and region. Results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.

About Thrivent
Thrivent is a diversified financial services organization that helps people achieve financial clarity, enabling lives full of meaning and gratitude. Thrivent and its subsidiary and affiliate companies serve more than 2.3 million clients, offering advice, insurance, investments, banking and generosity products and programs online and through financial advisors and independent agents nationwide. Thrivent is a Fortune 500 company with $179 billion in assets under management/advisement (as of 12/31/23). Thrivent carries ratings from independent rating agencies which demonstrate the strength and stability of the organization, including an A++ rating from AM Best; an Aa2 rating from Moody’s Investors Service; and an AA+ rating from S&P Global Ratings. Ratings are based on Thrivent’s financial strength and claims-paying ability, but do not apply to investment product performance. For information on these ratings, visit the rating agency’s website. Dividends are not guaranteed. For more information about Thrivent, visit Thrivent.com or find us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Insurance products, securities and investment advisory services are provided by appropriately appointed and licensed financial advisors and professionals. Only individuals who are financial advisors are credentialed to provide investment advisory services. Visit Thrivent.com or FINRA’s BrokerCheck for more information about Thrivent’s financial advisors. 

About Morning Consult 
Morning Consult is a global decision intelligence company changing how modern leaders make smarter, faster, better decisions. The company pairs its proprietary high-frequency data with applied artificial intelligence to better inform decisions on what people think and how they will act. For more information, please visit morningconsult.com. 

NEW YORK- MTV and Save the Music—a non-profit organization that has launched over 2,000 music programs within schools across the country—today announced a first-of-its-kind program supporting electronic music production to develop students’ creative and technical talents and reflect how modern music is being made today.

The grant, which was developed in partnership with Pharrell Williams’ creative collective i am OTHER and Arizona State University (ASU), is named the J Dilla Music Tech Grant after the legendary producer who worked with De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, Common and Erykah Badu, among others, and whose revolutionary approach to making beats continues to inspire artists more than a decade after his death. The program’s innovative combination of music technology and a forward-looking curriculum focuses on the fundamentals of electronic music creation, recording and production, bringing out each student’s inner creativity, talent, and confidence.

Beginning next month, seven high schools across the country will participate in the multi-year initiative. The schools include:
Barringer HS, Newark, NJ
High School for Public Service, Brooklyn, NY
South Philadelphia HS, Philadelphia, PA
Hialeah Senior HS, Miami, FL.
Arts High School, Newark, NJ
McDonogh 35, New Orleans, LA
Belmont HS, Los Angeles, CA

“This expanded focus into electronic music technology was driven by listening to the needs of the community and realizing where we could make the most impact on kids,” said Henry Donahue, Executive Director of Save the Music. “After 20 years of providing students and teachers with more than $50 million of band and string instruments, we have now added mixers, turntables, and drum machines to accurately and equitably reflect the music ecosystem today.”

“DJs with turntables and producers with MIDI controllers and state-of-the-art technology are the vanguard of new music makers today—across all musical genres,” said Amy Doyle, General Manager of MTV, and Board Co-chair of Save the Music. “The J Dilla Music Technology Grant underscores MTV and Save the Music’s commitment to cultivating the future creators, providing them with cutting edge tools and innovative instruction to enable them to participate in the future of music.”

“With the J Dilla Music Tech Grant we are deepening our collective efforts to broaden access to the highest quality music education and thinking equitably about the communities we serve to build and expand the pedagogy and curricula that foster young people’s skills, creativity, and expression,” said Evan Tobias, Associate Professor of Music Education at Arizona State University and head of the Consortium for Innovation and Transformation in Music Education.

Save the Music
Save The Music Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps kids, schools, and communities realize their full potential through the power of making music. Founded in 1997, Save The Music partners with school districts and raises funds to restore music programs in public schools. Since inception, we have donated over $58 million worth of new musical instruments and technology to over 2,159 schools in 276 school districts around the country– impacting the lives of countless students. Learn more about us and our efforts at www.savethemusic.org.

Arizona State University
Arizona State University has developed a new model for the American Research University, creating an institution that is committed to access, excellence and impact. ASU measures itself by those it includes, not by those it excludes. As the prototype for a New American University, ASU pursues research that contributes to the public good, and ASU assumes major responsibility for the economic, social and cultural vitality of the communities that surround it. https://citme.music.asu.edu

i am OTHER
i am OTHER is the strategic consulting and creative collective assembled and led by Pharrell Williams. That which makes you different makes you special. https://iamother.com/

SEATTLE, Nov. 14, 2021 – A Way Home Washington (AWHWA), the movement to prevent and end youth and young adult homelessness across Washington, is proud to announce a new partnership with the Seattle Seahawks and Tableau Foundation on a statewide initiative to help the 13,000 – 15,000 unaccompanied youth and young adults experiencing homelessness each year. The partnership brings together three organizations who have all found great success through data.

“In each Anchor Community, a diverse coalition brings together all parts of a community with partners committing to work across systems and silos, sticking with their collective approach until they have functionally ended youth homelessness. This means they have the capacity to prevent most homelessness, use personalized, real-time data to identify all the unaccompanied young people who are experiencing homelessness, and quickly provide connections to safe and stable housing,” said Julie Patiño, Executive Director, A Way Home Washington.

The ACI, which began in four communities, is in the process of expanding to include additional communities across the state. This expansion builds on recent milestones achieved by Anchor Communities, including Spokane, which has become the largest community in the United States to achieve a reduction in youth and young adult homelessness, and Walla Walla, which has reduced homelessness for young people by 20 percent in the last six months.

“A Way Home Washington’s data-driven approach to preventing and ending youth and young adult (YYA) homelessness in the state is something that really resonated with us in the Seahawks organization” said Jeff Richards, Vice President of Marketing & Community Engagement for the Seattle Seahawks. “We know how clearly communicated insights keep our teams moving in the right direction on and off the field. The same is true for community organizations working together to make sure young people have a safe place to call home and the support needed to thrive.”

As part of the partnership, the Seahawks will host and celebrate several direct service providers from the Anchor Communities at the Seahawks game on Sunday, November 21. Throughout the pandemic, local homeless service providers across the state have worked tirelessly to support young people in need.

“Welcoming the ACI partners to Lumen Field is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to those who have given so much of themselves to help others,” said Richards.

“A Way Home Washington and the Anchor Communities Initiative are proving that we can not only address the total number of homeless youth and young adults in Washington state, but that data empowers communities to be intentional about addressing the disproportionate number of kids of color who experience homelessness each year,” said Jason Schumacher, Tableau Foundation’s lead on homelessness and housing initiatives. “Seattle has been Tableau’s home since its founding in 2004, and we’re thrilled to be joined with another iconic Washington organization in the Seahawks to support this statewide effort to help kids in need.”

Addressing YYA homelessness is often helping a young person address family disruption related to sexual orientation, gender identity, family abuse, and other issues that are exacerbated by the vulnerability and diminished power young people have in the United States. Additionally, the leading indicator of homelessness later in life (e.g., chronic homelessness, vehicular homelesness, etc.) includes previous episodes of homelessness.

Recognizing the impact that the spread of COVID-19 has had on these vulnerable young people, AWHWA recently sought out additional information to better understand the impact that the pandemic has had on them in Washington. From the Household Pulse Survey, which is conducted every two weeks and gathers data on how the coronavirus pandemic is impacting households across the United States from social and economic perspectives, our analysis shows that 18-25 year olds in Washington state have been deeply impacted by the pandemic, including:

Mental well-being is precipitous among those surveyed. 71% reported being depressed and 82% reported experiencing anxiety.
Only 52% of respondents indicated that they were very confident they could afford food.
Across the board, young people are more vulnerable and are having more acute negative experiences than other age groups in Washington state.
“We expected the impacts of COVID-19 on young people experiencing homelessness to be bad, but what we learned was truly eye opening. Young people fared worse than every other age group in our state, with young people of color being disproportionately impacted,” says Patiño. “The insights provided by this tailored, real-time data are essential to informing policies and practices that help us to provide the right services and take the right steps to prevent and end youth and young adult homelessness.”

About A Way Home Washington
A Way Home Washington (AWHWA) is a statewide movement to prevent and end youth and young adult homelessness, with a focus on prioritizing young people of color and LGBTQ+ youth who experience homelesness at higher rates than their white, straight, cisgender peers. Co-Chaired by First Lady Trudi Inslee, AWHWA unites passionate stakeholders across the state to build systems that respond to the unique needs of all young people.

SOURCE A Way Home Washington; Tableau Software

CONTACT: A Way Home Washington, Julie Patino, jpatino@awayhomewa.org

Related Links
www.tableausoftware.com

MINNEAPOLIS, – Young people are often stereotyped as entitled, but surprisingly most students feel they bear the burden of paying for college. According to the State of Student Debt in America™ 2017 report conducted for Thrivent Student Loan Resources, the majority of college students (68%) agree they should be the ones paying for all or most of their college education. Additional key themes emerged from the survey:

Although a majority of students agree they are responsible for paying for college, many are not prepared to do so.
Most students still expect to spend excessively on maintaining a high-quality lifestyle during the college years.
A majority of students and parents wish they spoke about college costs more often and feel financial stress much more than earning good grades or performing well on ACT/SAT.
Both students and parents agree that working around 20 hours a week should be expected as a way to pay for college.

Parents and students unprepared for college costs
Students may individually feel the onus is on them to pay for college because their parents are unprepared. In fact, nearly 1 in 3 parents (30 percent) surveyed didn’t save anything for their child’s college education, and 34 percent only started saving five or fewer years before their child started school. Students are nearly on the same page as their parents, as about a quarter (26 percent) of students who expect to rely, or are currently relying on their family to pay for college, think their family didn’t save for their education.

“When families have a plan to pay for college, they save more and students borrow less to complete their degrees,” said Susan Farrell, vice president at Thrivent Student Loan Resources. “Making a plan to pay for college is the first thing we encourage families to do when they start thinking about college for their kids. We’ve found that families save three times more when they have a plan for college as opposed to those who don’t.”

Students confident they are prepared to manage costs, but are they?
Moreover, 62 percent of college students feel confident they are fully prepared to manage the cost of college. While this may sound encouraging, the data actually suggests students might be under-estimating what it truly takes to tackle the financial demands of college. As an example: parents are more aware of the fine print that comes with financial aid paperwork than the students who will own those loan payments. In fact, fewer than 1 in 4 (23 percent) students have read more than 75 percent of their student loan documents, while half of parents (50 percent) have read more than 75 percent.

“These findings validate what many of us have been saying about financing a college education,” said Adam Carroll, national thought-leader on college funding and co-creative producer of the film on student debt, Broke, Busted & Disgusted. “Students and parents need to start talking early and often about preparing and paying for college. Young people need to hear their options over and over — this is not just a ‘one and done’ conversation.”

Communication is key to easing stress about paying for college
The stress faced by students is shared by their parents. Nearly 3 in 5 (57 percent) students who don’t plan to rely exclusively on scholarships or grants feel more stressed about paying for college than their parents, while more than half of parents (51 percent) feel they’re more stressed than their children.

Opening the lines of communication is key to reducing stress and ensuring students really are prepared for the realities of college costs. And students desire that dialogue to happen regularly. The survey found the majority of students (70 percent) wish their families spoke with them about college costs more often.

So, who bears the responsibility of having those awkward-but-necessary talks about paying for college? The answer is up for debate: 80 percent of parents feel it’s their or other family members’ job to teach kids about managing the cost of college, compared to only 51 percent of students who feel this way.

Many students unaware of scholarship opportunities
Many students don’t realize that scholarships are available beyond just pre-enrollment years. When asked when college students should apply for scholarships, 83 percent of students felt they should do so before beginning their freshman year. Yet, only 32 percent felt students should apply for scholarships during their senior year, only 39 percent in junior year, 41 percent during sophomore year and 44 percent during freshman year.

Parents and students agree: students should work while in college
Both students and their parents agree that students should work while in school. However, students feel stronger about this than parents do. In fact, 78 percent of students, compared to 70 percent of parents, believe students should have jobs during college to help cover the costs.

On average, parents and students are aligned on how much a student should work – with each feeling students should work an average of 19 hours a week while in school to help pay for their education.

Students expect quality of life in college to be the same as before college
Students also need to come to grips with the fact their quality of life may need to change during college. The majority of students (63 percent) believe their quality of life in college should be the same as it was before college. While it’s not impossible for students to have it all and contribute, they will need a sound savings plan to support their optimistic outlook for college.

Most students who plan to establish a college budget have accounted for, or plan to account for, must-have items such as textbooks (82 percent) and transportation (59 percent). But they’ll need help prioritizing the non-essentials, as only than a third (34 percent) are accounting for and budgeting for entertainment and 18 percent for vacations, such as spring break. Students may have unrealistic expectations when it comes to maintaining the same quality of life before college – and this is evidenced by the fact that the majority are not developing comprehensive budgets.

Thrivent Student Loan Resources, through an initiative called “It’s Time for New School Lending,” helps students with resources and tips get back to living like students, making more wise money choices while attending college, so debt is minimized and paid off quicker following graduation. They are also providing the movie Broke, Busted, and Disgusted for free online to students and parents to help start a conversation and provide ideas on preparing and paying for college.

More information about the survey results can be found at https://www.thriventstudentloanresources.com/methodology. To learn more about how to finance your or your child’s college education or to request the Broke, Busted, and Disgusted movie, please visit the Thrivent Student Loan Resources website at www.thriventstudentloanresources.com.

Note About Methodology
Thrivent Student Loan Resources’ 2017 State of Student Debt in America report was conducted by Wakefield Research among 1,000 students – with quotas set for 500 rising college freshmen and 500 college students, sophomores or higher – and among 500 parents of current college students or rising college freshmen between July 31 and August 9, 2017, using an email invitation and an online survey.

Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and the level of the percentages expressing the results. For the interviews conducted in this particular study, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 3.1 percentage points for the student sample and 4.4 percentage points for the parents sample from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all persons in the universe represented by the sample.

About Thrivent Student Loan Resources
Thrivent Student Loan Resources is dedicated to helping college-bound students and their families take steps toward a healthier relationship with money as they plan for their future, pay for college, and prepare for life after graduation. Regardless of where someone is on their education journey, Thrivent Student Loan Resources is committed to providing families with comprehensive guidance – including resources, tools and products – in a way that is approachable and actionable. The organization believes private loans are the final part of the equation to pay for college and should be taken after careful consideration and with a plan to pay them off as quickly as possible after graduation. Thrivent Student Loan Resources is part of Thrivent Financial, a not-for-profit membership organization whose mission is to help Christians make financial decisions that reflect their values. For more information, visit Thriventstudentloanresources.com. You can also find us on Facebook.

About Wakefield Research
Wakefield Research (www.wakefieldresearch.com) is a leading, independent provider of quantitative, qualitative, and hybrid market research. Wakefield Research supports the world’s most prominent brands and agencies, including 50 of the Fortune 100, in 70 countries.

About Thrivent Financial
Thrivent is a not-for-profit membership organization that helps Christians be wise with money and live generously. It offers its more than 2 million member-owners a broad range of products, services and guidance nationwide. For more than a century it has helped members make wise money choices that reflect their values while providing them opportunities to demonstrate their generosity where they live, work and worship. For more information, visit Thrivent.com. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.

Following agreement late yesterday by diplomats meeting in Munich as part of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) to work with Syrian parties to implement a nationwide cessation of hostilities, a United Nations-backed task force met today on quickly delivering aid to besieged towns and war-weary civilians in hard to reach areas across the country.

The task force held its initial meeting at the UN headquarters in Geneva less than 24 hours after it was by the ISSG, the group that has been working since November to secure a broader ceasefire and Syrian political negotiations and is comprised of the Arab League, the European Union, the United Nations, and 17 countries, including the United States and Russia. Late yesterday, it agreed on two key steps forward: a cessation of hostilities in Syria and establishing a humanitarian task force.

According to the ISSG agreement, “to accelerate the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid, sustained delivery of assistance shall begin this week” in seven besieged areas inside Syria, including the town of Madaya, which drew worldwide attention recently after UN and Red Cross relief workers reported people starving to death or being killed trying to flee.

Today, chairing the regular bi-weekly press briefing in Geneva, Ahmed Fawzi, interim Director of the UN Information Service in the Swiss city, said the first meeting of the task force on humanitarian access in Syria would take place today and would include the ISSG co-Chairs, relevant UN entities, and members of the ISSG with influence on the parties to the conflict.

The UN system, particularly the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), would be organizing and the meeting, and representatives of the UN system in Damascus would participate through video-conference, he explained.

“The UN system has been geared to deliver this aid all along, especially to besieged areas, and that’s precisely what’s going to be discussed today: how to start, and when to start,” said Mr. Fawzi, responding to questions, adding: “We hope to start as early as tomorrow, immediately after the meeting, decisions will be taken to roll the aid in, especially to besieged areas that need it.”

Later in the day, a statement issued by a spokesperson for Steffan de Mistura, the UN Special Envoy for Syria, said the meeting had been chaired by his Senior Advisor Jan Egeland. The purpose of this initial meeting was to agree on how the task force and its members could ensure that immediate access is granted to the civilian populations in besieged and hard to reach areas in line with the agreement reached by the ISSG at Munich.

The statement said that in order to accelerate the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid, sustained delivery of assistance is expected to begin this week to besieged areas where civilians are in desperate need of assistance. Humanitarian access to these most urgent areas will be a first step toward full, sustained, and unimpeded access throughout the country.

“Once we get clearance by concerned parties, the UN and its humanitarian partners will be able to reach the civilians in need within the coming days,” Mr. de Mistura said. “Next week, we plan to have a second meeting of this task force, in order to assess the progress made, and maintain the pressure for incremental and unimpeded aid deliveries,” he explained.

According to the statement, Mr. Egeland, who is the Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council and formerly head of UN OCHA, said that humanitarian actors had already submitted requests for access to the parties surrounding besieged areas. “We expect to get such access without delay. Finally, the civilians who have been deprived of their basic right of humanitarian access for so long, will have hope,” he added. “Let us not fail them.”

Separately, Stephen O’Brien, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, statement welcomed news that the members of the ISSG agreed to a cessation of hostilities in Syria and he urged the parties to the conflict to ensure full, sustained and unimpeded humanitarian access, including to besieged and hard-to-reach areas, in accordance with their obligations under international humanitarian law.

“The people of Syria – in Aleppo, Madaya, Foah and Kefraya, Deir ez-Zor and elsewhere – need an end to the brutal violence and bombing, the sieges, denial of free movement, food and medical care,” he said, emphasizing that the United Nations and its partners need safe, sustained access for humanitarian workers throughout the country.

He went on to stress that the UN remains committed and ready to deliver aid and protection for civilians in desperate need, whoever and wherever they are. “Above all we need to see meaningful action on the ground, so that Syrians and their neighbours can start to rebuild their lives and their country,” he concluded.

ATLANTA, Aug. 10, 2015 – The Coca-Cola Foundation awarded $26.2 million USD to 74 community organizations during the first half of 2015. These grants will benefit more than 90 million people across 76 countries, and are focused on The Coca-Cola Company’s core sustainability priorities women, water and well-being.

“As a global company operating in more than 200 countries, Coca-Cola is part of a large and diverse community and we are proud to support the well-being of the communities where we live and work,” said Lisa M. Borders, Chair, The Coca-Cola Foundation and Vice President, Global Community Affairs. “By working with local organizations, we are helping to find solutions to the global challenges we collectively face.”

During the first half of 2015, the Foundation awarded $2.3 million to support women’s empowerment initiatives, $9.3 million to support water and environmental initiatives, $12.2 million to support well-being, initiatives including active healthy living, education, youth development and HIV/AIDS, and $2 .3 million to support of other community improvement programs, including $1 million in disaster relief efforts. Organizations receiving grants more than $100,000 during the first half of the year are included below. For a full list of grantees, please click here.

Well-Being

Well-Being: Active Healthy Living
•Sağlıklı Hayatı Teşvik ve Sağlık Politikaları Derneği, “The Promotion of Active Life Project,” Turkey, $1,100,000.
•German Sports Youth, German Olympic Sports Confederation, “SMART SPORT,” Germany, $730,000.
•Centre National pour les Développement du Sport, “Sport Health and Wellness,” France, $680,000.
•streetfootballworld gGmbH, “Football for Social Change—Scaling Football 3,” Germany, $550,000.
•Die Internationale Vereinigung für Sport für Alle e.V., “Take Back Your Streets… Take Back Your Future!” Multiple European Countries, $450,000.
•Beijing Normal University Education Foundation, “Balanced Diet—Active Living,” China, $400,000.
•Fundacja Aktywności Fizycznej i Zdrowia—Sport Support, “2015 Leader Sports Animators—Wake Your Body Program,” Poland, $300,000.
•Fondazione per la Ricerca sul Diabete ONLUS (Diabetes Research Foundation), “Epode Umbria Region Obesity Intervention Study EUROBIS,” Italy, $205,000.
•Klichko Brothers Foundation, “Call Your Friends—Let’s Play Together!” Ukraine, $200,000.
•PRAIS Foundation, “We are the Moving Generation,” Romania, $200,000.
•Swedish Swimming Federation, “The ABCs of Swimming,” Sweden, $200,000.
•Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, “Trails and Healthy Recreation for All: Metropolitan Grants Program,” United States, $175,000.
•Interfaith Youth Core, “Better Together Campaign,” United States, $100,000.
•Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, The Department of Sport Science & Kinesiology, “SALTO—Salzburg Together Against Obesity,” Austria, $150,000.
•Udruzenje gradjana Delpas (Civil Association Delpas), “Find the Right Measure,” Serbia, $150,000.
•Girls on the Run International, “Girls on the Run Middle School Project,” United States, $100,000.
•San Francisco Parks Alliance, “Mobile Rec,” United States, $100,000.

Well-Being: Education and Youth Development
•The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation – Mercy Corps, “Youth Empowered for Success (YES!) Program,” Multiple African Countries, $3,150,000 million.
•Thurgood Marshall College Fund, “TMCF/Coca-Cola HBCU First-Generation Scholarship Program,” United States, $500,000.
•UNIS-CITE, “Booster,” France, $260,000.
•Apollo Theater Foundation, “Apollo Theater Academy and K-12 Education Programs,” United States, $200,000.
•Central Washington University Foundation, “Coca-Cola First-Generation Scholarships,” United States, $100,000.
•The Institute for Responsible Citizenship, “2015 Institute,” United States, $100,000.
•University of Kentucky Research Foundation, “Coca-Cola First Generation College Student Support,” United States, $100,000.
•White House Fellows Foundation and Association, “White House Fellows Leadership Development Program,” United States, $100,000.

Well-Being: HEALTH
•Global Environment &Technology Foundation, “Bolstering Africa’s Resilience (BAR) Initiative,” Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, $1,000,000.
•San Francisco AIDS Foundation, “Bridgemen Program,” United States, $100,000.

Women
•PACT Institute, “Swan Yi II: Strengthening Abilities for Women’s Economic Empowerment (Myanmar Language for Empowerment),” Myanmar, $2,000,000.
•Metroplex Economic Development Corporation, “The Success Factor: The Fast Track to Owning Your Own Business,” United States, $200,000.
•FORCE FEMMES, “Women in Business Academy,” France, $100,000.

Water and Environment
•United Nations Development Programme, “New World: Inclusive Sustainable Human Development Initiatives,” Multiple Eurasian and African Countries, $2,250,000.
•Pronatura México, “Water and Wastewater Plant for Marginalized Communities,” Mexico, $1,700,000.
•World Wildlife Fund-UK, “Water Sensitive Farming for English Chalk Streams and Sustainable Supply Chains,” United Kingdom, $1,545,000.
•Institute Doe Seu Lixo, “ICCB-Recycling Cooperative Management Capability Program,” Brazil, $950,000.
•United Nations Development Programme, “Conservation and Sustainable Use of Water Resources in the Lower and Middle Reaches of the Yellow River Basin and the Haihe River Basin,” China, $800,000.
•Shenzhen One Foundation, “Clean Water Project,” China, $600,000.
•TERI University, “The Coca-Cola Department of Water Resource Management at TERI University,” India, $350,000.
•The Nature Conservancy, “North America Freshwater Replenishment Partnership,” United States, $200,000.
•Pact Institute, “Community WASH Response: Hmaw-bi Township,” Myanmar, $154,255.
•Georgia-Alabama Land Trust, “Replenishing Water to Nature Through Watershed Protection Conservation Easements Program,” United States, $123,950.
•Forest and Sea for Life Foundation, “Enhancing the Klong Yan Watershed Resource Conservation and Rehabilitation Network Project,” Thailand, $110,000.
•Fundación para la Sostenibilidad y la Equidad (ALIARSE), “The Water Vigilants Program 2015,” Costa Rica, $100,000.
•World Wildlife Fund-US, “Freshwater Ecosystems Conservation and Protection in Mesoamerican Reef Communities,” Multiple Central American Countries, $100,000.

Community
•American Red Cross, “Nepal Disaster Relief,” Nepal, $1,000,000.
•Robert W. Woodruff Arts Center, Inc., “Arts Center Program Support,” United States, $600,000.
•Pronatura Mexico, A.C., “Improve Quality of Life of Communities in the Coca-Cola Mexican Reforestation Program,” Mexico, $500,000.
•National Urban Fellows, “Collaborative Leadership for Stronger Communities,” United States, $200,000.

About The Coca-Cola Foundation
The Coca-Cola Foundation is the global philanthropic arm of The Coca-Cola Company. Since its inception in 1984, the Foundation has awarded more than $750 million in grants to support sustainable community initiatives around the world. For more information about The Coca-Cola Foundation, please visit www.coca-colacompany.com/our-company/the-coca-cola-foundation.

About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Led by Coca-Cola, one of the world’s most valuable and recognizable brands, our Company’s portfolio features 20 billion-dollar brands including, Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, POWERADE, Minute Maid, Simply, Georgia, Dasani, FUZE TEA and Del Valle. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, ready-to-drink coffees, and juices and juice drinks. Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy our beverages at a rate of 1.9 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, support active, healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. Together with our bottling partners, we rank among the world’s top 10 private employers with more than 700,000 system associates. For more information, visit Coca-Cola Journey at
www.coca-colacompany.com, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CocaColaCo, visit our blog,
Coca-Cola Unbottled, at www.coca-colablog.com or find us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/the-coca-cola-company.

The Dallas Museum of Art today announced that they have received funding from Bank of America to restore the Wittgenstein silver display case, or vitrine, through the bank’s 2014 global Art Conservation Project. Since the program’s inception in 2010, Bank of America has provided grants to museums in 27 countries supporting 72 conservation projects.

The silver and gem-studded vitrine is the most lavish piece of silverwork known from the Wiener Werkstätte (or Vienna Workshops), a guild of artists and craftsmen practicing in Austria in the early 20th century. Designed by Carl Otto Czeschka and presented at the 1908 Vienna Art Show, this vitrine marks a crucial time in the evolution of modern design. Acquired by the Dallas Museum of Art last year, it is one of their most important pieces. Fran Baas, associate conservator of objects, working in close collaboration with Kevin W. Tucker, the Margot B. Perot senior curator of decorative arts and design at the Dallas Museum of Art and Mark Leonard, chief conservator, is currently carrying out the restoration and technical study of this unique masterpiece of decorative design and craftsmanship. The grant from Bank of America is fully funding the restoration of the piece, which is the centerpiece of the upcoming “Modern Opulence in Vienna: The Wittgenstein Vitrine” exhibition. The exhibition is scheduled to open on November 15 in the DMA’s Conservation Gallery, after a special media preview on November 13.

“We are deeply grateful to Bank of America for the inclusion of the Dallas Museum of Art in its annual Art Conservation Project Grant for the restoration of this sumptuous silver vitrine,” stated Maxwell L. Anderson, the DMA’s Eugene McDermott director. “With this grant, we are able to ensure the care and restoration of this masterwork, preserving its beauty and highlighting its international importance for the community.”

“Our Art Conservation Project is designed not only to conserve artworks and shine a light on the need for the preservation of artistic and historic treasures, but also to educate communities and convey respect for the varied cultures and traditions throughout the world,” said Richard Holt, Dallas market president for Bank of America. “We’re fortunate to have access to artistic masterpieces in Dallas and are glad to partner with the Dallas Museum of Art to restore this important piece.”

In 2013, the company’s Art Conservation Project supported the restoration of a diverse range of works including Tudor portraits of Queen Elizabeth at the National Portrait Gallery in London; Augustus Saint-Gaudens’s “Diana” at the Philadelphia Museum of Art; four portraits by John Butler Yeats at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin; three iconic Jackson Pollock paintings at the Museum of Modern Art in New York; and Rembrandt’s “Scholar in His study” at the National Gallery in Prague.

About the Dallas Museum of Art
Established in 1903, the Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) is among the 10 largest art museums in the country and is distinguished by its commitment to research, innovation, and public engagement. At the heart of the Museum and its programs is its global collection, which encompasses more than 22,000 works and spans 5,000 years of history, representing a full range of world cultures. Located in the nation’s largest arts district, the Museum welcomes some 600,000 visitors annually and acts as a catalyst for community creativity, engaging people of all ages and backgrounds with a diverse spectrum of programming, from exhibitions and lectures to concerts, literary events, and dramatic and dance presentations. In January 2013, the DMA returned to a free general admission policy and launched DMA Friends, the first free museum membership program in the country, which currently has over 70,000 members. For more information, visit DMA.org.

The Dallas Museum of Art is supported, in part, by the generosity of DMA Partners and donors, the citizens of Dallas through the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs, and the Texas Commission on the Arts.

Bank of America Corporate Social Responsibility
Bank of America’s commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a strategic part of doing business globally. Our CSR efforts guide how we operate in a socially, economically, financially and environmentally responsible way around the world, to deliver for shareholders, customers, clients and employees. Our goal is to help create economically vibrant regions and communities through lending, investing and giving. By partnering with our stakeholders, we create value that empowers individuals and communities to thrive and contributes to the long-term success of our business. We have several core areas of focus for our CSR, including responsible business practices; environmental sustainability; strengthening local communities with a focus on housing, hunger and jobs; investing in global leadership development; and engaging through arts and culture. As part of these efforts, employee volunteers across the company contribute their time, passion and expertise to address issues in communities where they live and work. Learn more at www.bankofamerica.com/about

WILMINGTON, Del., April 5, 2021  — Systemic racism in America has shown itself to be a public health crisis, particularly as COVID-19 has affected Black Americans at disproportionate rates.

The Gift of Black Theological Education and Black Church Collaborative, a unique movement of historic Black schools and denominations, is bringing together congregations across America and experts to address the issues.

In April, the Gift Collaborative is hosting a series of five free Zoom presentations exploring the issues surrounding health disparities as well as finding positive solutions.

The presentations start on April 13 with Rev. Dr. Miriam J. Burnett, MD, MDiv., MPH, speaking on “The Intersection of COVID-19 and Health Disparities.” Burnett is the founder of RAPHA Health Inc., which provides information and education about health issues to faith-based and community organizations and brings many resources to the discussion. Four other cutting-edge presentations (listed below) will follow throughout the month, covering topics including mental health, addiction, nutrition, and reproductive health.

These sessions are part of an ongoing series of presentations by The Gift Collaborative, which has brought together leaders of Historically Black Theological Institutions (HBTIs), denominational leaders, scholars, and congregants to not only address racism and social issues but also build leadership capacity in congregations. The Collaborative intends to inform a new generation of leaders engaged in building new pathways forward in America.

The Gift Collaborative is a critical alignment of the relationship development and collegiality among the six HBTIs: Hood Theological Seminary in Salisbury, North Carolina, the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia, Payne Theological Seminary in Wilberforce, Ohio, Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia, Shaw University Divinity School in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Howard University School of Divinity in Washington, D.C.

The denominations participating in the collaborative include: The African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME), the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (AMEZ), Baptist General Convention of Virginia, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (CME), Church of God in Christ (COGIC), General Baptist State Convention of North Carolina Baptist, and the United Methodist Church.

Registration is free and open to the public. To register for the Feb. 16 event – and watch past presentations – and learn more visit: http://www.thegiftcollaborative.org/

Collaborative Health Meetings
Free via Zoom, all times 7 p.m. ET
April 13 – Overview of the Social Determinants of Health and COVID
April 15 – Mental Health and Addictions in the Midst of COVID-19
April 20 – Nutritional Health
April 22 – Chronic Medical Conditions and Reproductive Health and the Impact of COVID-19
April 29 – The Environment and Health

Contact:
John Thomas III,
Paynefellow@thegiftcollaborative.org,
(615) 601-0450

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Nov. 23, 2021 /CNW/ – With a month’s worth of rainfall within 24 hours, the situation in British Columbia is dire, impacting transportation infrastructure, personal shelter and access to the necessities. With many areas unable to access much-needed resources, PepsiCo Canada and The PepsiCo Foundation are working directly with the Canadian Red Cross to provide impacted residents with much-needed assistance through a $125,000 grant. rnrnThrough the British Columbia Floods and Extreme Weather Appeal, the Canadian Red Cross will carry out relief, recovery, and risk reduction activities in and beyond the region, including but not limited to:rnrnEnsuring emergency lodging for evacuees who have nowhere else to go.rnProviding families with necessities such as food and clothing.rnProviding tailored emotional support to survivors coping with loss and hardship.rn”We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing support the Canadian Red Cross has provided to our communities and associates in British Columbia, many of whom were also recently impacted by the dangerously high temperatures and severe wildfires this summer,” says Mike Ruff, President of PepsiCo Beverages Canada. “Their work is more important than ever as our communities face another extreme weather event amid the ongoing pandemic.”rnrn”Our local teams are working tirelessly to support the Canadian food supply despite the challenges they’re personally facing,” says Cara Keating, President of PepsiCo Foods Canada. “We’re so grateful to our local teams, the Canadian Red Cross and the countless local organizations for their tireless efforts to support those who have been impacted by these floods.” rnrnThe PepsiCo Foundation and PepsiCo Canada have a long-standing history of community relief efforts in Canada. In 2021, the PepsiCo Foundation and PepsiCo Canada also supported Canadian charities through a number of community impact grants and donations totaling nearly $450,000.rnrnAbout PepsiCo CanadarnPepsiCo Canada is the country’s largest food and beverage company, employing over 11,000 Canadians and operating over 384 manufacturing and distribution facilities across the country. The company is organized into two business units: PepsiCo Beverages Canada and PepsiCo Foods Canada. PepsiCo Beverages Canada includes brands such as Pepsi, Gatorade, Tropicana and Aquafina. PepsiCo Foods Canada is comprised of Frito Lay Canada (which includes brands such as the Lay’s, Doritos, and Tostitos brands) and Quaker (which includes brands such as Quaker Chewy, Life, and Harvest Crunch). PepsiCo Canada, in turn, is part of the global PepsiCo, Inc., family. For more information, visit www.pepsico.ca.rnrnAbout PepsiCo rnPepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $70 billion in net revenue in 2020, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker, Tropicana, and SodaStream. PepsiCo’s product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including 23 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales. Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Convenient Foods and Beverages by Winning with Purpose. “Winning with Purpose” reflects our ambition to win sustainably in the marketplace and embed purpose into all aspects of our business strategy and brands. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com.rnrnAbout The PepsiCo FoundationrnEstablished in 1962, The PepsiCo Foundation, the philanthropic arm of PepsiCo, invests in the essential elements of a sustainable food system with a mission to support thriving communities. Working with non-profits and experts around the globe, we’re focused on helping communities obtain access to food security, safe water and economic opportunity. We strive for tangible impact in the places where we live and work—collaborating with industry peers, local and international organizations, and our employees to affect large-scale change on the issues that matter to us and are of global importance. Learn more at www.pepsico.com/sustainability/philanthropy.rnrnSOURCE PepsiCo CanadarnrnrnCONTACT: Sheri Morgan, PepsiCo Foods Canada – sheri.morgan@pepsico.com & Canadian Red Cross: B.C. Media (604) 709-6747, English National Media 1-877-599-9602, French Media 1-888-418-9111rnrnRelated Linksrnwww.pepsico.ca

When earthquakes devasted southeast Turkey last year, Didem Esmer turned the greenhouse where she nurtured her pepper seedlings into a safe haven for her Samandağ community. “This greenhouse became our home after the disaster. Everyone had lost their homes,” she explains.

While she helped her community rebuild, Didem needed support of her own. The market in Hatay shut down, leaving no place to sell her harvest. And she saw little future for her family farm without resources to continue growing in the region. “Honestly, we thought we couldn’t overcome most of the challenges. So, I wasn’t considering returning to production,” Didem says.

A partnership with the PepsiCo Foundation and Anadolu Meraları created alternative channels to the earthquake-damaged supply chains in the region. By working with local cooperative Samandağ Agricultural Development Cooperative they found ways to establish new relationships between growers and buyers. Building partnerships like these are critical ways PepsiCo Foundation aims to increase equitable access to nutritious food, safe water, and economic opportunity in the communities PepsiCo serves.

“By directly engaging our associates, partners and changemakers within our communities, we can drive local, leading and lasting social impacts globally,” President of the PepsiCo Foundation and Global Head of Social Impact, C.D. Glin says.

As the PepsiCo Foundation continues to work toward their pep+ ambitions, the latest Global Impact Report highlights their progress and the importance of driving social impact at the intersection of people and planet. Learn more about the stories of social impact like Diadem’s and the ways the PepsiCo Foundation continues working to help local communities thrive.

Reached more than 450k female farmers and community members
In addition to bolstering supply chains after the Turkey earthquake, the PepsiCo Foundation partnered with Anadolu Meraları to develop regenerative agriculture practices in rural Turkey through a demonstration farm, training modules and resources provided to local farmers. As part of the PepsiCo Foundation’s focus on supporting female farmers, Didem received thousands of seedlings, pest traps and fertilizer to revive her pepper crop. She also participated in training sessions to manage the significant pest problem in the region — which was impacting crop quality — and training on composting and soil restoration techniques to address the damage caused by the earthquake. “These supports hold immense significance for me,” Diadem says. “In the initial stages, costs are critical, and it’s challenging for producers to bear them. This support will greatly benefit me, instilling confidence in producing a high-quality product.”

Delivered more than 16 million meals to 371k people
During the school year, thousands of students across the U.S. depend on free or reduced-price meals. But once the school year ends, so does that support. To bridge that gap and the address the issues of food insecurity facing local communities, the PepsiCo Foundation’s Food For Good program seeks local partners like No Kid Hungry Virginia and Accomack County Public Schools to launch home-delivery summer meal programs. “Delivering meals directly to kids means less youth experiencing hunger this summer and more students prepared to learn when the school year starts,” says Sarah Steely, Director of No Kid Hungry Virginia.

Helped more than 10 million people access safe water
Each year, the PepsiCo Foundation works to bring safe water access to millions of people across the world in water-risk communities. With the support of the PepsiCo Foundation and WaterAid, Olajumoke Okedara was among 20 people to attend a training workshop aimed at improving access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene services in her local community in Lagos State, Nigeria. “Health is wealth. And access to water, decent toilets and good hygiene is the key to healthy living,” Olajumoke says. “I play my part in improving access to these basic services by maintaining the facilities provided in the community.”

Granted 845 scholarships to underserved students
The PepsiCo Foundation’s Community College Program supports underserved populations by offering scholarships, aiming to assist over 4,000 students in obtaining professional certifications and degrees. Pamela Morales, a recipient of the S.M.I.L.E. scholarship for community college graduates transitioning to four-year institutions, pursued her education in Digital Marketing at Baruch College. “The PepsiCo Foundation’s S.M.I.L.E. scholarship has opened doors for me that I never thought I would be able to get through as a first-generation student,” Pamela says. Following her graduation, Pamela will join PepsiCo full time as a Sales Management Associate.

Supported 1,000 small businesses in the U.S. in 2023
When Joshua Archuletta and his wife Fabby were looking for some help to grow their business, El Roi Café, in downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico, they sought support from the PepsiCo Foundation’s Impacto Business Accelerator. The program helped provide essential funding and coaching when the pandemic unexpectedly slowed their business. “Thank goodness we found it and applied. We needed to pay rent, utilities, and inventory and this helped us catch up,” Joshua says. “It was the bridge to get us to the next step in opening our business. Without it, we wouldn’t be open right now.”

TORONTO, Dec. 16, 2021 /CNW/ – On Saturday, December 18, Walmart Canada will host the 12th annual “Fill the Kettle Day” and match donations made by individuals to Salvation Army Christmas kettles located in its stores nationwide, to a maximum of $100,000.

Since 2007, Walmart Canada and its customers have donated more than $35 million to The Salvation Army. This holiday season, Walmart Canada has already donated more that $50,000 to CTV Toy Mountain in Toronto, Ottawa and Winnipeg to help The Salvation Army purchase new toys that will be distributed to children in need this Christmas.

Join our army of givers by donating to a Christmas kettle (CNW Group/The Salvation Army)
Join our army of givers by donating to a Christmas kettle (CNW Group/The Salvation Army)
“The impacts of the pandemic and the uncertainty that comes with it continues to affect low-income families and individuals. Providing a memorable Christmas only adds to their already stressful situations,” says Lt-Colonel John Murray, territorial secretary for communications. “We extend our heartfelt thanks to our supporters and partners such as Walmart Canada for coming alongside to ensure that all who come to us for assistance will experience the joy of the holiday season.”

Last year, The Salvation Army helped more than 2.1 million Canadians with food, clothing and practical help. With a $20-million national fundraising goal, the Christmas Kettle Campaign enables local Salvation Army units to offer necessities to struggling people. Contributions to the campaign also support The Salvation Army’s life-changing programs, such as substance-use recovery, housing supports, and job and life-skills training, which help people find a permanent way out of poverty.

“We are very proud to partner with The Salvation Army, one of Canada’s largest providers of social assistance, to help make Christmas a reality for Canadians from coast-to-coast,” said Rob Nicol, vice president, corporate affairs at Walmart Canada. “In these challenging times, we ask Canadians to give generously. Together we can help The Salvation Army reach its fundraising goal this holiday season and help Canadians live better.”

“This year, in the season of giving, we want to create an army of givers,” says Lt-Colonel Murray. “We couldn’t do what we do without the strong support and generosity of our partners, donors and volunteers. In these final days before Christmas, everyone needs an army, so we invite people to make a lasting impact in their community by donating to a Christmas kettle, online at SalvationArmy.ca or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.”

About The Salvation Army:
The Salvation Army is an international Christian organization that began its work in Canada in 1882 and has grown to become one of the largest direct providers of social services in the country. The Salvation Army Canada gives hope and support to vulnerable people in 400 communities across Canada and in more than 130 countries around the world. Its community and social service activities include: hunger relief for individuals and families through food banks and feeding programs; shelter for people experiencing homelessness and support for those needing housing; rehabilitation for those struggling with substance-use disorders; long-term and palliative care; Christmas assistance, such as food hampers and toys; after-school programs, camps and school nutrition programs for children and youth; and life-skills classes, such as budgeting, cooking for a family, and anger management. When you give to The Salvation Army, you are investing in the future of marginalized and overlooked people in your community.

News releases, articles and updated information can be found at www.SalvationArmy.ca.

SOURCE The Salvation Army

CONTACT: Neil Leduke, National Director of Marketing and Communications, The Salvation Army Territorial Headquarters for Canada and Bermuda, 416 578 7998, Neil.Leduke@salvationarmy.ca; Linda Leigh,Manager of Communications, The Salvation Army Territorial Headquarters for Canada and Bermuda, 416 889 0423, Linda.Leigh@salvationarmy.ca

MINNEAPOLIS – Thrivent, a Fortune 500 diversified financial services organization, today announced the launch of its Multi-Year Guarantee AnnuityTM (MYGA) product solution. This deferred fixed annuity gives Thrivent clients a flexible solution for today’s interest rate environment and offers multiple guaranteed fixed rate options along with the features and tax benefits of a traditional annuity.

Thrivent’s MYGA offers its clients a guaranteed interest rate over 3, 5, 7 or 9-year periods, allowing them to lock in today’s high interest rates over multiple consecutive years. Depending on their financial goals, clients can choose a market value adjustment feature – which offers a higher interest rate – or a return of premium option that allows them to surrender at any point, providing additional liquidity. The MYGA solution can be especially attractive for pre-retirees and retirees who want to safely and steadily grow their retirement income during a period when they’re approaching or already living on a fixed income.

Thrivent’s MYGA solution will enhance the financial services organization’s current annuity portfolio, which includes a variety of products and services to meet a range of client needs.

“As our clients continue to navigate market volatility and economic headwinds, we developed a flexible solution with guaranteed returns that they can customize based on their unique financial needs,” said Mike DeKoning, senior vice president of Insurance and Wealth Management Solutions, Thrivent. “We know that MYGA solutions are especially attractive as more clients consider fixed annuity solutions during this higher interest rate environment. Our MYGA solution is easy to understand, provides certainty to clients in an uncertain time and is backed by the financial strength and stability of Thrivent.”

A recent Retirement Readiness Survey from Thrivent found that only 40 percent of Americans have ‘very much’ or ‘somewhat’ been able to achieve the retirement goals they have set for themselves. Additionally, only 5 percent of near retirees say they are 100 percent ready for retirement. Offering a solution like MYGA with opportunities for guaranteed returns can help fill a critical gap for those who need a reliable and recurring stream of income in retirement. It could also be used to help clients diversify their portfolios, incorporate tax efficiency into their retirement strategies or leave a legacy for their loved ones.

“What sets Thrivent apart is our ability and expertise to provide our clients with purpose-based advice that’s actionable and achievable,” added DeKoning. “Even in a challenging financial environment, we’re ready to turn advice into action by providing solutions like Thrivent’s MYGA that help our clients achieve their long-term financial goals.”

About Thrivent
Thrivent is a diversified financial services organization that helps people achieve financial clarity, enabling lives full of meaning and gratitude. Thrivent and its subsidiary and affiliate companies serve more than 2.3 million clients, offering advice, insurance, investments, banking and generosity products and programs online and through financial advisors and independent agents nationwide. Thrivent is a Fortune 500 company with $162 billion in assets under management/advisement (as of 12/31/22). Thrivent carries ratings from independent rating agencies which demonstrate the strength and stability of the organization, including an A++ rating from AM Best; an Aa2 rating from Moody’s Investors Service; and an AA+ rating from S&P Global Ratings. Ratings are based on Thrivent’s financial strength and claims-paying ability, but do not apply to investment product performance. For information on these ratings, visit the rating agency’s website. Dividends are not guaranteed. For more information about Thrivent, visit Thrivent.com or find us on Facebook and Twitter.

MINNEAPOLIS – Thrivent today announced that Brad Hewitt will retire as CEO and Terry Rasmussen has been appointed as his successor.

“Brad has provided visionary leadership in moving Thrivent forward in its mission of serving the broader Christian community and ensuring the organization has the tools and talent to meet the expectations of our members and position us for long-term growth,” said Bonnie Raquet, Chair of the Thrivent Board of Directors.

“We wish Brad well as he moves to the next chapter of serving others and demonstrating faith through service,” she said.

Rasmussen has served as president of Thrivent’s core fraternal business unit for the last three years.

“Terry has distinguished herself as a strong leader with extraordinary business and legal acumen, as well as a deep understanding of Thrivent’s charter as a fraternal benefit society,” Raquet said. Thrivent is the nation’s largest fraternal benefit society.

“What’s more, she has deep-seated values and a practical approach to aligning our workforce to serve our members and drive growth,” Raquet added.

More about Brad Hewitt

Hewitt joined Thrivent in 2003 as chief fraternal officer. He was named COO in 2008 and CEO in 2010.

He began his career with Securian in the Actuarial Services department. He held positions with increasing levels of responsibility at UnitedHealth Group and Diversified Pharmaceutical Services. He later felt called to serve in administrative roles with the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod.

Hewitt graduated from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls with a Bachelor of Science in mathematics.

Hewitt currently serves as vice chair of the board for Habitat for Humanity International; and the International Cooperative and Mutual Insurance Federation.

He also volunteers as chair of Itasca, an employer-led, cross-sector collaborative group that works to improve the quality of life for all in the Twin Cities; and is vice chair of Greater MSP.

More about Terry Rasmussen

Rasmussen joined Thrivent in 2005. She was named president in 2015, after serving for 10 years as senior vice president, general counsel and secretary.

Before joining Thrivent, Rasmussen served in progressively responsible legal positions with American Express and Ameriprise Financial. At American Express she was responsible for global legal support of financial service products and services.

She began her legal career as a trial attorney in the U.S. Attorney General’s Honors Program.

She received a BS in accounting from Minnesota State University-Moorhead and passed the CPA exam. She earned her JD from the University of North Dakota.

Rasmussen is past chair of the American Fraternal Alliance, the trade association for fraternal benefit societies; and Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota.

She currently serves on the boards of the Walker Art Center and InFaith Community Foundation.

About Thrivent Financial
Thrivent is a fraternal benefit society that helps Christians on the wise with money journey. As a mission-driven, membership-owned organization, it offers its more than 2 million members and customers a broad range of financial products, services and guidance to help them obtain a life of contentment, confidence and generosity. Thrivent and its subsidiary and affiliate companies offer insurance, investments, banking and advice over the phone, online as well as through financial representatives and independent agents nationwide. Thrivent is a FORTUNE 500 company with $136 billion in assets under management/advisement (as of 12/31/17). For more than a century it has helped Christians make wise money choices that reflect their values while providing them opportunities to demonstrate their generosity where they live, work and worship. For more information, visit Thrivent.com. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.

MINNEAPOLIS – Thrivent, a Fortune 500 diversified financial services organization, recently announced the results of its national board of directors election. As a membership-owned organization, Thrivent clients with eligible membership have an opportunity to select the candidates who will represent them on the national board of directors.

Thrivent’s board consists of 14 members and is chaired by N. Cornell Boggs. As the organization’s supreme governing body, the board oversees all matters involving Thrivent and focuses on serving the interests of its clients, now and into the future. Thrivent continues to be financially strong and stable, and is well-positioned to drive impact and deliver value to current and future clients.

Three incumbents reelected to board of directors
Incumbents Angie Rieger, Kathy Marinello, and Brian McGrane were elected to serve additional terms, which start in February 2024.

Angie Rieger has been a member of Thrivent’s Board of Directors since 2020. She serves on the Investment and Human Resource committees.
Kathy Marinello has been a member of the Thrivent Board of Directors since 2014. She chairs the Human Resource committee and serves on the Investment and Executive committees.
Brian McGrane joined the Thrivent Board of Directors in 2023. He serves on the Audit and Investment committees.
“The financial services industry is constantly evolving, and we need a diverse board of experienced leaders to help Thrivent perform today and transform for the future,” said Terry Rasmussen, president and CEO of Thrivent. “Angie, Kathy and Brian have demonstrated their commitment to fulfilling Thrivent’s purpose and serving clients for generations to come, and I’m thrilled our members have reelected them to serve another term.”

View the complete election results for 2023.

For more information on Thrivent’s Board of Directors and to read member biographies, visit our leadership page.

About Thrivent
Thrivent is a diversified financial services organization that helps people achieve financial clarity, enabling lives full of meaning and gratitude. Thrivent and its subsidiary and affiliate companies serve more than 2.3 million clients, offering advice, insurance, investments, banking and generosity products and programs online and through financial advisors and independent agents nationwide. Thrivent is a Fortune 500 company with $162 billion in assets under management/advisement (as of 12/31/22). Thrivent carries ratings from independent rating agencies which demonstrate the strength and stability of the organization, including an A++ rating from AM Best; an Aa2 rating from Moody’s Investors Service; and an AA+ rating from S&P Global Ratings. Ratings are based on Thrivent’s financial strength and claims-paying ability, but do not apply to investment product performance. For more information on these ratings, visit the rating agency’s websites. Dividends are not guaranteed. For more information about Thrivent, visit Thrivent.com or find us on Facebook and Twitter.

MINNEAPOLIS, May 20, 2024 – Thrivent, a Fortune 500 diversified financial services organization, has been honored with a Silver Stevie® Award in the Large Financial Services Companies category in the Annual American Business Awards®. This esteemed recognition underscores Thrivent’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and leadership in the financial services industry.

Thrivent’s financial strength and stability and commitment to providing innovative products to clients was noted during the judging process. In 2023, Thrivent launched a Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity, a solution designed to help clients achieve their long-term financial goals through guaranteed returns. Judges also cited Thrivent’s distinction of being one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for 13 years in a row and its milestone of raising $1 billion for communities nationwide through one million client-led volunteer teams.

The American Business Awards, also known as the Stevie Awards, are among the nation’s premier business awards programs, recognizing outstanding achievements in various categories across the business spectrum. More than 300 professionals worldwide participated in the judging process to select this year’s Stevie Award winners.

Details about The American Business Awards and the list of 2024 Stevie winners are available at www.StevieAwards.com/ABA.

About Thrivent
Thrivent is a diversified financial services organization that helps people achieve financial clarity, enabling lives full of meaning and gratitude. Thrivent and its subsidiary and affiliate companies serve more than 2.3 million clients, offering advice, insurance, investments, banking and generosity products and programs online and through financial advisors and independent agents nationwide. Thrivent is a Fortune 500 company with $179 billion in assets under management/advisement (as of 12/31/23). Thrivent carries ratings from independent rating agencies which demonstrate the strength and stability of the organization, including an A++ rating from AM Best; an Aa2 rating from Moody’s Investors Service; and an AA+ rating from S&P Global Ratings. Ratings are based on Thrivent’s financial strength and claims-paying ability, but do not apply to investment product performance. For information on these ratings, visit the rating agency’s website. Dividends are not guaranteed. For more information about Thrivent, visit Thrivent.com or find us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

About the Stevie Awards
Stevie Awards are conferred in nine programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards®, The International Business Awards®, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service, and the new Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com.

Through numerous acts of generosity, Thrivent, along with more than 30,000 of its members and other individuals across the country, raised and donated more than $11.7 million and contributed approximately 136,000 hours of volunteer time to help those impacted by the 2017 hurricanes.

“When devastation strikes, Thrivent members step up to make a difference,” said Brad Hewitt, CEO of Thrivent. “We are hopeful these efforts will help people in storm-affected areas get the supplies and resources they need to start rebuilding and recovering.”

Thrivent members inspire with their generosity
Thrivent members and others across the country made personal donations to nine disaster response agencies, totaling an impressive cumulative amount of $2.97 million. These funds were matched dollar for dollar by Thrivent. Members also directed more than $1.13 million through the Thrivent Choice® program, a charitable granting program that allows eligible Thrivent members to recommend where Thrivent gives some of its charitable funds each year. This collective impact generated $7.1 million to help people in need after a record hurricane season.

Thrivent members take action
Beyond personal donations, Thrivent members spearheaded 1,200 Thrivent Action Teams in their individual communities to help raise an additional $1.64 million. Believing that positive change begins with taking action, these teams gave more than 136,000 hours of their time to organize projects directly benefiting those affected by these storms.

Participating in Thrivent Action Teams allow members to put their faith into action. With Thrivent’s support, eligible members are provided with promotional collateral, t-shirts and a $250 Community Impact Card that can be used as seed money to purchase project supplies and create materials.

Teaming up with Habitat for Humanity
To extend the impact of members’ efforts, Thrivent served as a keystone partner of Habitat Hammers Back, a repair and rebuilding initiative for communities impacted by hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. On behalf of the organization’s members, Thrivent gave a $1 million grant to the Habitat Hammers Back initiative. However, due to the tremendous work and cleanup in the wake of these storms, Thrivent provided an additional $2 million through a long-standing partnership with Habitat for Humanity. These funds will allow Thrivent members and others to travel in the coming years to affected areas and volunteer alongside families who need assistance.

In total, the $11.7 million will support a wide range of recovery and rebuilding efforts, including helping nine organizations providing aid on ground. For more information on how to get involved and continue to make a difference, visit LiveGenerously.com/HurricaneResponse.

About Thrivent Financial
Thrivent is a not-for-profit membership organization that helps Christians be wise with money and live generously. It offers its more than 2 million member-owners a broad range of products, services and guidance nationwide. For more than a century it has helped members make wise money choices that reflect their values while providing them opportunities to demonstrate their generosity where they live, work and worship. For more information, visit Thrivent.com. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.

Minneapolis – Thrivent, a Fortune 500 diversified financial services organization, continues to maintain its financial strength and stability, as recognized in three recent rating reports by independent agencies.

S&P Global Ratings affirmed its AA+ (Very Strong) long-term issuer credit and financial strength rating on Thrivent and gave the organization a Stable outlook. The rating, which is the second highest of the agency’s 20 rating categories, highlights Thrivent’s distribution force, better-than-peer persistency ratio, strong competitive position and excellent capital adequacy as key strengths.
Moody’s Ratings affirmed Thrivent’s Aa2 (Excellent) rating and stable outlook, the third highest of the agency’s 21 rating categories. Moody’s cited Thrivent’s excellent financial profile, which is supported by strong capitalization, good financial flexibility and stable cash flow from its in-force life insurance and annuity businesses. The agency also recognized Thrivent’s commitment to serving its members, good corporate governance and disciplined risk management.
AM Best affirmed Thrivent’s A++ (Superior) rating and stable outlook, the highest of the agency’s 13 rating categories. The agency recognized Thrivent for continuing to maintain its balance sheet strength and stability, strong operating performance, favorable business profile, and very strong enterprise risk management. They also noted Thrivent’s high-quality statutory capital structure, diversified product portfolio, and continued efforts to grow as positive factors.
“These ratings are indicative of the strategic and thoughtful way we run our business, and they represent our dedication to putting our clients first in everything we do,” said David Royal, chief financial and investment officer at Thrivent.

About Thrivent
Thrivent is a diversified financial services organization that helps people achieve financial clarity, enabling lives full of meaning and gratitude. Thrivent and its subsidiary and affiliate companies serve more than 2.4 million clients, offering advice, insurance, investments, banking and generosity products and programs online and through financial advisors and independent agents nationwide. Thrivent is a Fortune 500 company with $179 billion in assets under management/advisement (as of 12/31/23). Thrivent carries ratings from independent rating agencies which demonstrate the strength and stability of the organization, including an A++ rating from AM Best; an Aa2 rating from Moody’s Ratings; and an AA+ rating from S&P Global Ratings. Ratings are based on Thrivent’s financial strength and claims-paying ability, but do not apply to investment product performance. For information on these ratings, visit the rating agency’s website. Dividends are not guaranteed. For more information about Thrivent, visit Thrivent.com or find us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Thrivent is the marketing name for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Insurance products issued by Thrivent. Not available in all states. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Thrivent Investment Management Inc., a registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC, and a subsidiary of Thrivent. Licensed agent/producer of Thrivent. Registered representative of Thrivent Investment Management, Inc. Advisory services available through investment adviser representatives only. Thrivent.com/disclosures.

MINNEAPOLIS – Thrivent, a not-for-profit membership organization of Christians, today announced it will match up to $1 million dollars in personal donations made on Thrivent.com to selected nonprofit organizations supporting Hurricane Florence relief efforts. In addition, Thrivent is encouraging its members to volunteer for disaster relief by forming Thrivent Action Teams or for eligible members to consider directing Thrivent Choice Dollars to relief organizations.

“Our hearts go out to everyone who has been impacted by this catastrophic storm,” said Brad Hewitt, CEO of Thrivent. “At Thrivent, our members believe in being generous and offering their time, talent and treasures to help others in need. We are committed to supporting hurricane victims as they work to rebuild.”

This matching opportunity is open to anyone and will run until the match is met or until December 31, 2018 – whichever comes first. The following organizations have been selected to receive the match dollars:

Convoy of Hope
Habitat for Humanity International
LCMS Disaster Response
Lutheran Disaster Response (ELCA)
Orphan Grain Train
Samaritan’s Purse
United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)
WELS Christian Aid and Relief
To participate in the match, visit Thrivent.com, click on Hurricane Florence Relief and then follow instructions for personal donations.

Beyond donations, Thrivent members can raise funds or volunteer for disaster relief by forming a Thrivent Action Team. Through this grassroots program, members join together in a one-time fundraiser that can be completed within 90 days. Thrivent provides promotional materials, t-shirts, and a $250 Community Impact Card that can be used as seed money to purchase project supplies and create promotional materials. Finally, eligible Thrivent members can direct Thrivent Choice Dollars® to relief organizations responding to the hurricane victims. For more information on how to get involved and continue to make a difference, visit Thrivent.com.

About Thrivent Financial
Thrivent is a not-for-profit financial services organization that helps Christians on the wise with money journey. As a mission-driven, membership-owned organization, it offers its more than 2 million members and customers a broad range of financial products, services and guidance to help them obtain a life of contentment, confidence and generosity. Thrivent and its subsidiary and affiliate companies offer insurance, investments, banking and advice over the phone, online as well as through financial representatives and independent agents nationwide. Thrivent is a FORTUNE 500 company with $136 billion in assets under management/advisement (as of 12/31/17). For more than a century it has helped Christians make wise money choices that reflect their values while providing them opportunities to demonstrate their generosity where they live, work and worship. For more information, visit Thrivent.com. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.

The Thrivent Choice® charitable grant program engages Thrivent members and chapters in providing grants that support charitable activities, furthering Thrivent’s mission and its purposes under state law. All grants are made at the sole discretion of Thrivent. Directing Choice Dollars® is subject to the program’s terms and conditions available at Thrivent.com/thriventchoice.

Minneapolis – Thrivent, a Fortune 500 diversified financial services organization, was honored today as a LSEG Lipper Fund Awards US 2024 Winner for its Small Cap Stock Fund – Class S (TSCSX) over the 10-year performance period. Thrivent Asset Management, LLC is the investment adviser to the fund.

Thrivent Small Cap Stock Fund was recognized as the Best Small-Cap Core Fund out of 612 funds for its consistently strong risk-adjusted 10-year performance for the period ending November 30, 2023.

“Once again, we are honored that our Thrivent Small Cap Stock Fund has been recognized as a LSEG Lipper Fund Awards Winner this year for the 10-year performance period,” said David Royal, chief financial and investment officer at Thrivent. “This award reflects our commitment to diligently managing our funds over the long-term in order to generate competitive investment returns for our clients so they can fulfill their goals in life.”

This award marks the fourth time the Thrivent Small Cap Stock Fund has been recognized by the Lipper Fund Awards. Thrivent’s overall asset management team has received a total of 32 Lipper Fund Awards since 2008.

“Our investment team maintains a rigorous investment process, which adds value through bottom-up stock selection using proprietary research and by controlling risk,” said Jim Tinucci, senior portfolio manager of Thrivent Small Cap Stock Fund. “We’re grateful for this recognition because it validates our approach and how we’ve delivered consistent, repeatable performance on behalf of our clients.”

Thrivent’s asset management team consists of more than 140 investment professionals. The funds are offered online at thriventfunds.com, as well as through Thrivent’s financial advisors and other investment professionals around the country.

About LSEG Lipper Fund Awards
The LSEG Lipper Fund Awards, granted annually, highlight funds and fund companies that have excelled in delivering consistently strong risk-adjusted performance relative to their peers. The LSEG Lipper Fund Awards are based on the Lipper Leader for Consistent Return rating, which is a risk-adjusted performance measure calculated over 36, 60 and 120 months. The fund with the highest Lipper Leader for Consistent Return (Effective Return) value in each eligible classification wins the LSEG Lipper Fund Award. For more information, see lipperfundawards.com. Although LSEG Lipper makes reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained herein, the accuracy is not guaranteed by LSEG Lipper.

About Thrivent
Thrivent is a diversified financial services organization that helps people achieve financial clarity, enabling lives full of meaning and gratitude. Thrivent and its subsidiary and affiliate companies serve more than 2.3 million clients, offering advice, insurance, investments, banking and generosity products and programs online and through financial advisors and independent agents nationwide. Thrivent is a Fortune 500 company with $179 billion in assets under management/advisement (as of 12/31/23). Thrivent carries ratings from independent rating agencies which demonstrate the strength and stability of the organization, including an A++ rating from AM Best; an Aa2 rating from Moody’s Investors Service; and an AA+ rating from S&P Global Ratings. Ratings are based on Thrivent’s financial strength and claims-paying ability, but do not apply to investment product performance. For information on these ratings, visit the rating agency’s website. Dividends are not guaranteed. For more information about Thrivent, visit Thrivent.com or find us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

MINNEAPOLIS, – Thrivent, a Fortune 500 diversified financial services organization, now offers private equity as an asset class within its Asset Allocation Funds/Portfolios, bringing retail investors access to private equity funds for as little as $50 per month1. It’s one of the few major financial services firms to offer private equity exposure in a daily valued mutual fund.

“We believe this enhancement to our asset allocation funds is a way to deliver deeper value to clients and differentiates us from others in the industry,” says David Royal, executive vice president and chief financial & investment officer at Thrivent.

This innovation represents the company’s continued commitment to putting clients first and finding ways to deliver value through advice and solutions. The enhancement provides:

Exposure to an asset class that has historically been available only to high-net worth or institutional investors.  
An opportunity for greater diversification across hundreds of private companies, which allows clients to manage investment risk in a variety of market environments and economic cycles.  
The potential for enhanced performance benefits over time. Private equity generally has outperformed public equity markets, including most of the rolling 10-year time periods over the past 20 years.2
Through exposure to private equity, Thrivent helps clients access the upside of this asset class while adding diversification to the overall fund in a way that matches their risk tolerance. Allocations to private equity will initially be small and limited to target allocations within the funds and portfolios. Therefore, the initial impact on performance may be minimal. Thrivent believes further diversifying the asset allocation fund/portfolio holdings will enhance performance and help clients reach their financial goals.

“Our Private Investments team has deep experience in managing private equity investments,” says Jen Wilson, senior managing director of Private Investments at Thrivent. “We are honored to bring our experience in private equity to the funds as we strive to deliver investment returns that ultimately help clients live purposeful lives and achieve their goals.”

To learn more about the asset allocation funds, visit ThriventFunds.com (ThriventFunds.com/assetallocation).

1 New accounts with a minimum investment amount of $50 are offered through the Thrivent Mutual Funds “automatic Investment plan.” Otherwise, the minimum initial investment requirement is $2,000 for non-retirement accounts and $1,000 for IRA or tax-deferred accounts, minimum subsequent investment requirement is $50 for all account types. Account minimums for other options vary.

2 Source: Hamilton Lane Data via Cobalt, Bloomberg—January 2023.

About Thrivent 
Thrivent is a diversified financial services organization that helps people achieve financial clarity, enabling lives full of meaning and gratitude. Thrivent and its subsidiary and affiliate companies serve more than 2.3 million clients, offering advice, insurance, investments, banking and generosity products and programs online and through financial advisors and independent agents nationwide. Thrivent is a Fortune 500 company with $179 billion in assets under management/advisement (as of 12/31/23). Thrivent carries ratings from independent rating agencies which demonstrate the strength and stability of the organization, including an A++ rating from AM Best; an Aa2 rating from Moody’s Investors Service; and an AA+ rating from S&P Global Ratings. Ratings are based on Thrivent’s financial strength and claims-paying ability, but do not apply to investment product performance. For information on these ratings, visit the rating agency’s website. Dividends are not guaranteed. For more information about Thrivent, visit Thrivent.com or find us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

MINNEAPOLIS – Thrivent, a not-for-profit membership organization of Christians, today announced it will match one dollar for every two dollars made in personal donations on Thrivent.com to featured organizations supporting victims impacted by recent flooding and tornadoes. Thrivent will match up to $250,000. In addition, the organization is encouraging its members to volunteer by forming Thrivent Action Teams or for eligible members to consider directing Thrivent Choice Dollars to relief organizations.

“Our hearts go out to those who have been impacted by the devastating floods in the Midwest and tornadoes in the South, said Terry Rasmussen, CEO of Thrivent. “Our members always band together in tough times and we’re honored to come alongside them to help support disaster victims.”

This matching opportunity is open to anyone and will run until the match is met or June 1, 2019 – whichever comes first. The following organizations have been selected to receive the match dollars:

Convoy of Hope
LCMS Disaster Response
Lutheran Disaster Response
Orphan Grain Train (flooding only)
Samaritan’s Purse
WELS Christian Aid and Relief (flooding only)
To participate in the match, visit Thrivent.com, click on “Learn How” and then follow instructions for personal donations.

Beyond donations, Thrivent members can raise funds or volunteer for disaster relief by forming a Thrivent Action Team. Through this grassroots program, members join together in a one-time fundraiser or service activity that can be completed within 90 days. Thrivent provides promotional materials, t-shirts, and a $250 Community Impact Card that can be used as seed money to purchase project supplies and create promotional materials.

Finally, eligible Thrivent members can direct Thrivent Choice Dollars® to relief organizations responding to these disasters.

For more information on how to get involved and continue to make a difference, visit Thrivent.com.

About Thrivent
Thrivent is a not-for-profit financial services organization that helps Christians on the wise with money journey. As a mission-driven, membership-owned organization, it offers its more than 2 million members and customers a broad range of financial products, services and guidance to help them obtain a life of contentment, confidence and generosity. Thrivent and its subsidiary and affiliate companies offer insurance, investments, banking and advice over the phone, online as well as through financial professionals and independent agents nationwide. Thrivent is a FORTUNE 500 company with $134 billion in assets under management/advisement (as of 12/31/18). For more than a century it has helped Christians make wise money choices that reflect their values while providing them opportunities to demonstrate their generosity where they live, work and worship. For more information, visit Thrivent.com. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.
The Thrivent Choice® charitable grant program engages Thrivent members and Thrivent Member Networks in providing grants that support charitable activities, furthering Thrivent’s mission and its purposes under state law. All grant decisions, including grant recipients and amounts, are made at the sole discretion of Thrivent. Directing Choice Dollars® is subject to the program’s Terms and Conditions available at Thrivent.com/thriventchoice.

MINNEAPOLIS – Thrivent, a Fortune 500 diversified financial services organization, announced today that it will provide $542 million in dividend payments and policy enhancements, such as additional credited interest and reduced fees, to clients with membership in 2024. As a membership-owned organization founded more than 120 years ago, Thrivent doesn’t have stockholders and instead returns value to its clients, distributing more than $3 billion in the last 10 years alone. As part of this year’s record-breaking total payout, 77% of Thrivent’s policies—over 2.1 million—will receive some form of dividend or policy enhancement in 2024, a 9% increase from 2023.

“Thrivent serves millions of clients, and we deliver value to them with competitive products and solutions, strong investment performance and a commitment to financial stewardship. We have grown Thrivent’s surplus significantly over the past few years because of our disciplined financial management, and now we’re able to deliver record-breaking total payouts to our clients in 2024,” said David Royal, chief financial and investment officer. “Although never guaranteed, we’ve offered dividends to our clients for more than 100 consecutive years. This financial strength and stability—combined with Thrivent’s work to empower lives of service and faith—is why our clients put their trust in Thrivent.”

Thrivent’s strong business results and disciplined financial management has been reinforced by the strong ratings it continues to receive from independent rating agencies. Earlier this year, AM Best reaffirmed Thrivent’s A++ (Superior) rating, its strongest possible rating, which the organization has received for more than two decades. Thrivent also carries an Aa2 (Excellent) rating from Moody’s Investor Service, the third highest of the agency’s 21 rating categories, and an AA+ (Very Strong) rating from S&P Global Ratings, the second highest of the agency’s 20 rating categories.

About Thrivent  
Thrivent is a diversified financial services organization that helps people achieve financial clarity, enabling lives full of meaning and gratitude. Thrivent and its subsidiary and affiliate companies serve more than 2.3 million clients, offering advice, insurance, investments, banking and generosity products and programs online and through financial advisors and independent agents nationwide. Thrivent is a Fortune 500 company with $162 billion in assets under management/advisement (as of 12/31/22). Thrivent carries ratings from independent rating agencies which demonstrate the strength and stability of the organization, including an A++ rating from AM Best; an Aa2 rating from Moody’s Investors Service; and an AA+ rating from S&P Global Ratings. Ratings are based on Thrivent’s financial strength and claims-paying ability, but do not apply to investment product performance. For more information on these ratings, visit the rating agency’s websites. Dividends are not guaranteed. For more information about Thrivent, visit Thrivent.com or find us on Facebook and Twitter.

TORONTO–Procter & Gamble has partnered with Habitat for Humanity Canada to invest in healthy, happy homes across the country. The three year partnership, which includes a significant contribution of $900,000 and in-kind donations from brands like Tide, Mr. Clean and Swiffer, will provide much-needed support for Habitat builds throughout Canada.

“P&G has a long-standing commitment to give back to our local communities and we take this responsibility very seriously,” said Susan Nieuwhof, Corporate Sustainability Leader, P&G Canada. “For years, our trusted brands have helped people do the things that make their house feel more like a home, and by joining Habitat for Humanity Canada, we can bring the comforts of home to more families across the country. We are excited to provide not only financial support, but also the participation of our employees to help support families who are working to call a home their own.”

As part of the new partnership, P&G will provide major investment and assistance in Women Build projects in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal taking place this fall. Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build projects promote the involvement of women in the construction of Habitat homes, with the majority of the planning and execution undertaken by female volunteers. Influential blogger ambassadors from across Canada will also be engaged to support and raise awareness of these Women Build projects within their local community.

In addition to the Women Build projects, P&G employees and stakeholders will volunteer on Habitat build sites in their markets, enabling them to have an impact in the communities they live and work in.

As well as hands on assistance, P&G will offer cleaning kits to Habitat for Humanity affiliates to help ready the newly built homes for move-in once construction is completed, and will provide welcome baskets packed full of household products like Tide, Swiffer, Mr. Clean, Bounty, Febreze, Dawn and Cascade to each family moving into their new Habitat home. Habitat for Humanity Canada estimates that its affiliates will build some 300 new homes for partner families in 2014. “We are very grateful to P&G for their commitment to Habitat Canada and for supporting our vital home builds across the country,” said Kevin Marshman, president and CEO, Habitat for Humanity Canada. “The dedication and energy demonstrated by P&G is wonderful and we look forward to a valuable three years working together. Partnerships such as these play a crucial role in helping us work towards a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live.”

About Procter & Gamble:
P&G serves approximately 4.8 billion people around the world with its brands. The Company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Always®, Ambi Pur®, Ariel®, Bounty®, Charmin®, Crest®, Dawn®, Downy®, Duracell®, Fairy®, Febreze®, Gain®, Gillette®, Head & Shoulders®, Lenor®, Olay®, Oral-B®, Pampers®, Pantene®, SK-II®, Tide®, Vicks®, Wella® and Whisper®. The P&G community includes operations in approximately 70 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.

About Habitat For Humanity Canada
Founded in 1985, Habitat for Humanity Canada is a national, non-profit organization working towards a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live. With the help of over 63,000 volunteers every year and 65 affiliate organizations from coast to coast, their mission is to mobilize volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing and promoting homeownership as a means to break the cycle of poverty in Canada and around the world. For more information, please visit www.habitat.ca.

– See more at: http://news.pg.com/press-release/

New York – The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) today announce their joint support for a Member State-led initiative to call on policymakers, regulators and remittance service providers to improve migrants’ access for sending and receiving remittances, and to reduce transfer costs during the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19 outbreaks.

Spearheaded by the Government of Switzerland and the Government of the United Kingdom, the call to action, Remittances in Crisis – How to Keep Them Flowing, is also supported by the global knowledge partnership on migration and development KNOMAD, the World Bank, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the International Association of Money Transfer Networks (IAMTN), and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). The goal is to remove the obstacles that migrants and their families face when sending and receiving money so that they can continue to cover basic needs and services such as food, housing, education and health care.

The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted health systems worldwide, but in terms of economic impacts, low- and middle-income countries may take a greater hit due to the projected decline in remittances for this year. Data from the World Bank show that remittance inflows are expected to shrink by about 20 percent, which amounts to a fall of around US$110 billion. Reduced remittances can have major ripple effects across economies as investment and consumption spending decrease. It can also slow down the progress countries have made in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

To mitigate these impacts, the joint call to action encourages stakeholders in the remittances sector to enhance physical and digital access to cross-border financial services, and to bring together actors in the public and private sectors, especially remittance service providers, to innovate solutions that would improve remittance flows.

“The hardship of COVID-19 felt by migrants in the form of lost wages and employment – often without government safety nets – is a large part of this crisis in remittances. The decline also results from a host of issues caused by the coronavirus that impact the services migrants use to send money home – including the restrictions placed on remittance services providers and their agents. The loss of this crucial financing lifeline is devastating for both the migrant households and receiving countries,” said Judith Karl, Executive Secretary for UNCDF. “UNCDF, together with UNDP, is committed to supporting the Member State-led call to action and to ensuring that every measure is available to facilitate migrants in sending remittances home.”

“Remittances are essential for COVID-19 response and recovery,” said Asako Okai, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Director of its Crisis Bureau. “In countries with limited social safety nets and less diversified economies, they often serve as a lifeline, and more so in times of crisis. The existing obstacles to send and receive money can lead to increased poverty and social insecurity, which would further destabilize national economies,” Ms. Okai added.

By building capacity for a conducive regulatory and policy environment, strengthening open digital payment ecosystems, and fostering innovation for inclusive digital solutions for migrants, UNCDF and UNDP are supporting governments and the private sector to ensure continuity in the remittance flows to the countries and families hardest hit by the effects of the coronavirus. The call to action is also an opportunity for UNCDF and UNDP to strengthen and advance their shared agenda around financial inclusion for migrants and families, as well as to enhance migrant contributions to local development.

On 26 July, the UNESCO Director-General, Ms Irina Bokova, called for an immediate halt to the intentional destruction of the religious and cultural heritage in Iraq.
Referring to the intentional destruction on 24 July of the shrine of Prophet Jonas and the mosque built in his honor in Mosul, the Director-General said that “I am shocked by this violence against the millenial heritage of Iraq — destroying places of religious and cultural significance is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated.”

The destruction of the shrine, a significant place of worship and pilgrimage with a centuries’ old history, is one among several recent attempts to destroy religious and cultural heritage in Iraq.

“I am appalled by these brutal attacks on places of cultural and religious heritage,” said Irina Bokova. “The destruction of the shrine of Prophet Jonas is a new blow against the rich diversity of Iraq’s heritage, cultural and social fabric. Such acts must be stopped immediately. Every layer of Iraq’s unique culture, including its religious heritage, must be protected”, said the Director-General — reminding all that the intentional destruction of cultural heritage represents a war crime.

“The diversity of Iraq’s cultural heritage bears witness to centuries of peaceful coexistence among all communities making up the society of the country”, said the Director-General, reiterating her appeal on June 17 for all Iraqis to stand united for the protection of their cultural heritage.

Last week, UNESCO in consultation with Iraqi and international experts agreed on an Emergency Response Action Plan to safeguard Iraq’s cultural heritage. The Emergency Response Action Plan defines priority interventions to mitigate heightened risks of destruction and damage, looting and illicit trafficking affecting Iraq’s cultural heritage sites and monuments, museums and their collections, as well as archives in the current situation of renewed violence.

www.unesco.org

GENEVA, August 23 (UNHCR) – The UN refugee agency on Friday said a massive aid push for some 500,000 displaced Iraqis was going to plan, with a second airlift of aid to Erbil and more flights due today and tomorrow.

The operation began on Wednesday and a second flight landed in the Iraqi Kurdistan city of Erbil on Thursday with more tents. Also on Thursday, UNHCR loaded 16 containers of aid (kitchen sets, blankets and jerry cans) from warehouses in Dubai onto a ship due to sail to Bandar Abbas in Iran on Saturday. From there it will be loaded onto trucks for Erbil.

“This is part of our massive operation to ship in 2,410 tons of aid by air, land and sea over about 10 days for some 500,000 displaced people inside Iraq,” UNHCR spokesman Adrian Edwards told journalists in Geneva.

In north-east Syria, where thousands of mainly ethnic Yazidi refugees have fled since early August, the airlift of supplies from Damascus to Qamishli is going smoothly. The fourth out of six flights arrived on Thursday with more tents, mattresses, wheelchairs, household items and rechargeable fans.

The aid is being used to improve crowded conditions in the Newroz camp (where an estimated 6,000 people reside), and provide more privacy to the families. Movement in and out of the camp has stabilized in recent days. Another 3,000 Yazidis are staying in nearby towns and villages.

Meanwhile, inside Iraq, shelter remains a top priority for displaced people – too many of whom are living in dreadful conditions. The Kurdistan region of Iraq is now hosting close to 700,000 displaced Iraqis, most having arrived in early June.

“While accurate figures are not expected until early September when registration is complete, we estimate that hundreds of thousands are living in unfinished buildings, mosques, churches, parks and schools,” Edwards noted.

Citing official estimates, he said half of the 5,746 schools in Iraqi Kurdistan are now sheltering displaced people or the military, raising concerns that they will not be able to open as scheduled for the new school year on September 10.

“While camps are often viewed as a last resort, displaced Iraqis are moving into them as quickly as tents can be pitched – such is the enormity of this crisis and the desperate need for shelter,” Edwards said.

Currently, there are two tented camps, Badjet Kandela in Duhok governorate and Baharka in Erbil, which are open and housing more than 21,000 people. Twelve more camps will open soon, including three in Sulaymaniyah, six in Dohuk and three in Erbil – after which there will be a total camp capacity of more than 85,000. There are also a handful of privately-run camps in Dohuk. Officials from the Kurdistan regional government are reviewing locations for more camps.

Apart from the struggle to meet basic needs for food, water and shelter, a pressing issue for displaced people who fled their homes with next to nothing is a lack of documents – critical for being registered and getting cash assistance.

Most displaced people have been unable to replace key personal documentation without returning to their areas of origin. UNHCR is providing legal assistance to internally displaced people to help them replace key documents so they can register for aid and move freely.

“There is also an urgent need to strengthen psychological services for displaced people, many of whom are deeply traumatized with the suddenness of their own flight, the death of loved ones, the separation of families, and horrific reports about the fate of others left behind, killed or captured,” UNHCR’s Edwards said.

“Our protection teams tells us of continuing reports of women, particularly from minority groups, abducted by armed groups [in Mosul and Sinjar] and held in various locations. Some have reportedly been forced to convert to Islam, and there are reports of others being trafficked by armed groups, inside and out of Iraq,” he added.

UNHCR appreciates the support of donors for its Iraq operation, particularly Saudi Arabia which has provided US$88.3 million to UNHCR as part of a US$500 million donation to UN operations overall.

Nairobi / Dakar – UNICEF and Unilever today announced a partnership to improve access to safe water in countries across sub-Saharan Africa. The partnership will focus first on four countries: Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.

The new agreement includes financial investment as well as strategic engagement with government and civil society. It aims to implement innovative community and school-based programmes to promote sustainable management of safe water and also to improve hygiene and handwashing practices.

“Africa’s population is surging and access to safe drinking water remains a serious problem for present and future generations,” said UNICEF’s Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, Leila Gharagozloo-Pakkala. “Over the next two years, this partnership will not only ensure children and communities have access to safe drinking water, but that it is sustainable and scalable across the continent.”

Bruno Witvoet, President Unilever Africa, said: “At Unilever we want our brands to make a difference to the lives of the people of Africa, but the scale of challenges such as providing safe water go far beyond what any organisation, public or private can do alone. This partnership will draw on the joint expertise, resources and networks of both UNICEF and Unilever, to magnify our efforts so we improve the quality of life for ordinary people and help Africa meet the Sustainable Development Goals.”

In Kenya, one-in-three people lack access to safe drinking water, while in Nigeria at least 150,000 children below five years of age die every year as a result of diarrhea, and 70 million people lack access to improved water sources. In Côte d’Ivoire, 90% of schools and health care centres lack access to improved water supplies. In Ghana, over two million people use water from unsafe sources.

Despite unfavorable conditions, the potential to improve the situation for children is real. Due to the achievements realised through the Millennium Development Goals, an additional 47,000 people in sub-Saharan Africa now have access to safe drinking water every day, an increase of 20% compared to 25 years ago. The Unilever-UNICEF partnership seeks to demonstrate scalable water management models that deliver results and drives further investment in this critical area for the continent.

UNICEF and Unilever began collaborating in 2012 under a global partnership to address the sanitation crisis.

About UNICEF
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.

GENEVA,- UNICEF is launching a US$3.1 billion appeal – its largest ever – to reach 62 million children at risk in humanitarian crises worldwide – a US$1 billion jump in funding needs since last year’s appeal.

“From deadly natural disasters to brutal conflicts and fast-spreading epidemics, children across the world are facing a new generation of humanitarian crises,” said Afshan Khan, UNICEF’s Director of Emergency Programmes. “Whether in the headlines or hidden from view, emergencies sparked by social fracture, climate change and disease are stalking children in ways we have never seen before.”

Growing numbers of children are facing increasingly complex and destructive conflicts, natural disasters and other emergencies, including the Ebola epidemic, which are placing them in extraordinary danger of violence, hunger, disease and abuse – and require increasingly more resources to address.

More than 1 in 10 of the world’s children – or 230 million – currently live in countries and areas affected by armed conflicts alone.

“I have just returned from Syria and Lebanon where millions of children have had their lives torn apart,” said Afshan Khan. “For the past four years, these children have been witnessing violence and death daily and have been missing out on the very basics in life. This appeal will help secure a future for not only the children of Syria but all children around the world who are impacted by humanitarian crises.”

UNICEF’s Humanitarian Action for Children 2015 appeal targets a total of 98 million people, around two thirds of whom are children, in 71 countries.

• The biggest portion of the appeal is for Syria and the sub-region. UNICEF is calling for US$903 million for the
regional response to protect children at risk and deliver life-saving assistance like immunisations, safe water and
sanitation, and education.

• UNICEF is also appealing for US$500 million to accelerate its work in the heart of Ebola-affected communities.
The money will be used to scale up efforts to rapidly isolate and treat every case, prevent further outbreaks,
and continue to promote healthy behaviours to prevent the spread of the disease. The goal for 2015 is to
get to zero cases and support the revitalisation of basic social services.

• In Nigeria, where attacks by armed groups have escalated in the past year causing more than 1 million people
in the northeast to flee their homes, UNICEF is asking for $US26.5 million.

• A year into the conflict in Ukraine, UNICEF is appealing for US$32.45 million as the country faces a humanitarian
crisis with 5.2 million people living in conflict zones, over 600,000 people internally displaced and some 1.7 million
children affected.

The appeal also includes hugely under-funded and forgotten crises where children are in desperate need – including Afghanistan (35 per cent funded in 2014), the State of Palestine (23 per cent funded in 2014) and Niger (35 per cent funded in 2014).

As well as immediate humanitarian response, funds raised will help UNICEF in its work with partner organisations to prepare countries for future disasters by reinforcing national preparedness systems and equipping communities to help themselves.

“This appeal will reach the most vulnerable children, wherever they are,” said Khan. “Where a child is born should not determine his or her destiny. We must get vital services and care to children in acute need now, to provide the building blocks that will allow them to create peaceful futures. This is not just about immediate humanitarian action as these short-term investments will have long-term gains.”

In 2014, UNICEF reached millions of children with humanitarian support – including vaccinating 16 million children against measles, treating 1.8 million children for the most serious form of malnutrition, providing almost 2 million children with psychological support and providing 13 million people with access to safe water. 2 million children were also given a better education – a crucial part of UNICEF’s emergency response as it helps restore children’s routine and gives them hope for the future.

# # #
The full Humanitarian Action for Children 2015 appeal and related country information can be found here from 09:30 GMT on 29th January 2015: www.unicef.org/appeals
Video and photos are available for download here: http://uni.cf/1zwEJ4M

Notes to Editors
The 71 countries and areas featured in the Humanitarian Action for Children 2015 appeal are highlighted due to the scale of these crises, the urgency of their impact on children and women, the complexity of the response, and the capacity to respond.

About UNICEF
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.

For more information about UNICEF and its work visit: www.unicef.org

GAZA, 16 August 2014 – A pause in fighting has helped UNICEF bring life-saving assistance to children in Gaza, but a sustained peace is needed to reach hundreds of thousands more children who desperately need support to rebuild their lives.

“This conflict, coming on top of previous conflicts and deepening poverty, has had a devastating impact on children, who make up half the population of Gaza. Together with partners we are providing critical care and support, but the needs of children are immense and acute,” said UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Yoka Brandt.

Brandt travelled to Gaza earlier this week together with Maria Calivis, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, and UNICEF Representative June Kunugi, to meet with 16 UNICEF Gaza Field Office staff members. They met with displaced and wounded children in Gaza, and also spoke with children in Sderot, southern Israel.

Brandt said the ceasefire had enabled UNICEF-supported technical teams to begin repairing critical infrastructure damaged by airstrikes and shelling, including water pipelines and sanitation systems. Up to 110,000 people had been provided with safe water and hygiene supplies, and hospitals and health facilities re-stocked with some medicine and supplies. Safe, child-friendly spaces have been set up in six shelters for the displaced, and around 6,000 children suffering from profound distress had received some psychological help.

“UNICEF, together with our partners, is committed to reaching as many children as we feasibly can with the support they need. And we can do this if humanitarian workers get the humanitarian space we need,” said Maria Calivis, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa.

“In July alone over 4,500 children were born in Gaza. For the sake of these children, for the sake of all children, we urge all parties to the conflict to protect children from further harm, and find ways to achieve a lasting peace – a peace that protects childhood,” Calivis said.

More than 450 children in Gaza have been killed in recent airstrikes and shelling. More than 2,900 children have been injured and more than 50,000 are homeless.

UNICEF is appealing for $13.7 million to reach children and their families in Gaza. So far less than a quarter of these funds have been received.

CHICAGO, – Today is #GivingTuesday, and United Airlines is urging its customers to join in the giving spirit. Through December 11, the company will provide up to a total of 10 million bonus miles to MileagePlus members who donate to any charity through CrowdRise, the world’s largest online charitable fundraising platform.

“Giving Tuesday is a great opportunity for our customers and employees to further support the causes that matter most to them,” said Tom O’Toole, senior vice president and chief marketing officer at United. “We are always seeking out new ways to make a difference in the communities we proudly serve, and this partnership allows us to reward customers who share our commitment.”

Each donation will also add one brick to the CrowdRise Giving Tower – a virtual structure built in real time representing the world’s combined philanthropic impact over the holidays. A new virtual reality feature will help bring the experience to life by allowing viewers to see the CrowdRise Giving Tower stacked up next to iconic buildings from around the globe.

MileagePlus members who give to any charity can receive up to 1,000 bonus miles by entering their MileagePlus number at the time of their donation. United will award members miles based on the size of their donation:
•Donate $50-$99 – Earn 250 bonus miles
•Donate $100-$249 – Earn 500 bonus miles
•Donate $250 or more – Earn 1,000 bonus miles

Though MileagePlus members will receive miles for donating to a charity of their choice, they may also direct their contribution to one of several organizations that currently partner with United, including: Make-A-Wish America, March of Dimes, Fisher House Foundation, Ride 2 Recovery, and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. To see a full list of United’s featured charities, and watch the Giving Tower grow, visit www.CrowdRise.com/unitedgivingtuesday.

About United
United Airlines and United Express operate an average of nearly 5,000 flights a day to 352 airports across six continents. In 2014, United and United Express operated nearly two million flights carrying 138 million customers. United is proud to have the world’s most comprehensive route network, including U.S. mainland hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. United operates more than 700 mainline aircraft, and this year, the airline anticipates taking delivery of 34 new Boeing aircraft, including the 787-9 and the 737-900ER. United is also welcoming 49 new Embraer E175 aircraft to United Express. The airline is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 192 countries via 28 member airlines. Approximately 84,000 United employees reside in every U.S. state and in countries around the world. For more information, visit united.com, follow @United on Twitter or connect on Facebook. The common stock of United’s parent, United Continental Holdings, Inc., is traded on the NYSE under the symbol UAL.

WASHINGTON DC – The Urban Institute and JPMorgan Chase & Co. today launched a multi-year program that aims to inform and assess the impact of JPMorgan Chase’s key philanthropic initiatives.

JPMorgan Chase will commit $10 million over five years for Urban Institute, a nonprofit research organization, to examine the firm’s Corporate Responsibility initiatives and philanthropic programs focused on increasing economic opportunity and strengthening communities. Urban will draw upon its deep policy expertise to produce research and analysis that will further strengthen these programs and provide wider knowledge and understanding of critical economic and social challenges.

JPMorgan Chase’s Corporate Responsibility programs focus on the economic growth of cities, strengthening workforce systems, and achieving household financial stability, among other areas. Urban will draw from its scholars and the work of its research and policy centers to:

Identify critical barriers to success and provide research and analysis that point the way to overcoming them;
Assess whether JPMorgan Chase’s philanthropic programs are achieving intended long-term outcomes;
Establish a learning network for JPMorgan Chase’s grantees and other leading experts to share best practices; and
Share lessons learned from these programs with the broader field of scholars, local leaders, practitioners and policymakers.
As part of the program, JPMorgan Chase is also committing to support the institutional modernization and capacity-building that will strengthen Urban for the future.

The decision to collaborate comes as JPMorgan Chase has launched significant, long-term efforts to expand economic opportunity, such as the firm’s $250 million, five-year New Skills at Work initiative to help close the skills gap and its $100 million commitment to Detroit’s economic recovery. The firm now seeks additional data and insight on the effectiveness of these programs.

Urban Institute President Sarah Rosen Wartell explained that Urban’s goal is to elevate the public debate with evidence-based social and economic policy solutions. “Our job as researchers and analysts is to ask and answer the hard questions – ‘Is this program really working?’ ‘Have lives improved?’ ‘How can we do this better?’ JPMorgan Chase is committing to learn from the answers we provide, and our organizations each will play an important role in sharing that knowledge across sectors.”

Urban has a well-established track record in serving as an advisor to prominent national foundations and is also well known for its expertise in assessing government programs at local, state, and national levels. In addition to hosting prominent programs on nonprofit performance management, it has been a leading center of independent thought about innovative strategies that strengthen communities across a range of policy silos. Urban has had long-standing, large-scale research collaborations with government agencies and national philanthropic foundations, and this new effort with JPMorgan Chase marks its largest collaboration with a corporate foundation.

“Urban Institute is at the leading edge of social policy research, and JPMorgan Chase is privileged to partner with them to better inform and strengthen our efforts to address some of society’s biggest challenges. Over the next five years, our firm will deploy $1 billion dollars towards our philanthropic programs focused on creating economic growth and expanding access to opportunity. We believe corporate responsibility includes a commitment to impact, measurement and accountability, and this partnership helps to reinforce those goals,” said Peter Scher, Executive Vice President and Head of Corporate Responsibility at JPMorgan Chase.

Urban and JPMorgan Chase hope this program will encourage other private sector entities to measure what works and ask how they can leverage their resources to make a bigger difference in communities.

“JPMorgan Chase is committed to sharing insights with Urban and the broader philanthropic community on the unique contributions that private sector players can bring to bear in communities through our scale and global expertise. Sarah Wartell’s leadership has been instrumental in developing this partnership, and we are very pleased to be able to support the new vision and strategy for the Urban Institute,” said Dalila Wilson-Scott, President of the JPMorgan Chase Foundation and Head of Global Philanthropy.
Later this year, Urban and JPMorgan Chase will begin to share findings through publicly available reports, briefings, and convenings.

The nonprofit Urban Institute is dedicated to elevating the debate on social and economic policy. For nearly five decades, Urban scholars have conducted research and delivered evidence-based solutions that improve lives, strengthen communities, and increase the effectiveness of public policy. Their objective research helps expand opportunities for all, reduce hardship among the most vulnerable, and strengthen the fiscal health of government across a rapidly urbanizing world.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) is a leading global financial services firm with assets of $2.6 trillion and operations worldwide. The Firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing, and asset management. A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, JPMorgan Chase & Co. serves millions of consumers in the United States and many of the world’s most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients under its J.P. Morgan and Chase brands. Information about JPMorgan Chase & Co. is available at www.jpmorganchase.com.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor and eight other federal agencies today published a final rule that will provide new religious liberty protections for beneficiaries of federally funded social service programs, while also adding new protections for the ability of religious providers to compete for government funds on the same basis as any other private organization.

The final rule provides that a beneficiary who participates in a domestic job training or other social service program offered by a faith-based organization funded by direct federal financial assistance must be notified in writing that they cannot be discriminated against based on religion. They also cannot be required to attend or participate in any privately funded religious activities offered separate from this federally funded program and may request an alternative provider, if the beneficiary objects to the religious character of the organization.

The final rule also requires that all decisions about federal financial assistance be based solely on merit, without regard to an organization’s religious affiliation or lack of affiliation. The regulations, published after public notice and comment, formally implement Executive Order 13559.

The final rule sets forth changes to the current regulations, including:

Requiring the department to ensure that all decisions about federal financial assistance are based solely on merit, without regard to an organization’s religious affiliation or lack of affiliation, and free from political interference or the appearance of such interference.
Making clear that faith-based organizations are eligible to participate in the department’s social service programs on the same basis as any other private organization.

Clarifying what activities can and cannot be supported with direct federal financial assistance by replacing use of the term “inherently religious activities” with the term “explicitly religious activities” and providing examples of such activities.

Prohibiting organizations that receive federal financial assistance from discriminating against beneficiaries, including denying services or benefits, based on religion, a religious belief, a refusal to hold a religious belief or a refusal to attend or participate in a religious practice.
Requiring faith-based organizations that receive direct federal financial assistance for domestic social service programs to provide written notice of certain protections to beneficiaries of the program.

While the final rule becomes effective 30 days after publication in the Federal Register, recipients of federal financial assistance have until 90 days after publication in the Federal Register to satisfy the new obligations in the final regulations. For more information, please visit the Federal Register for the final rule.

BANGUI, – A cargo plane carrying over 186 metric tons of emergency supplies for children in conflict-affected Central African Republic (CAR) arrived this week in Bangui. The airlift and supplies, provided by USAID’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA), include 24,080 buckets, 24,000 wool blankets, 12,000 kitchen sets, 1,090 rolls of plastic sheeting and 28 crates of water bladder kits which will be distributed to highly vulnerable populations. The flight is the first of a two-part airlift to benefit 60,000 vulnerable people. The second airlift is scheduled to arrive in two weeks.

“Long before the ongoing conflict, Central African children were already among the most vulnerable in the world,” said Souleymane Diabaté, UNICEF CAR Representative. “Young lives are being shattered by this ongoing crisis that has lasted over two years. Basic things such as a blanket to stay warm or a bucket to store clean water make a big difference for vulnerable families struggling to survive.”

“Right now, the Central African Republic is among the most dangerous places for aid workers to do their job,” said Jeremy Konyndyk, Director of USAID’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance. “This airlift represents the commitment of the U.S. government to save lives and make sure our assistance reaches those most in need, especially in the hardest to reach and underserved areas of the country.”

USAID/OFDA is supporting UNICEF’s emergency response with a new contribution of over US $1.8 million for safe water, emergency health services and relief supplies. In total, USAID/OFDA has contributed over US $6 million towards UNICEF’s emergency response in CAR since January 2014. “Without such important partnerships, UNICEF would not be able to reach as many children as we do now,” Diabaté said.

About UNICEF Central African Republic
UNICEF has worked in the Central African Republic since 1968. UNICEF has offices in Bangui, Bossangoa, and Kaga Bandoro, and leads a Rapid Response Mechanism that delivers emergency supplies to areas where there is virtually no humanitarian presence. With currently 150 staff members on the ground and strong partnerships with other UN agencies and NGOs, UNICEF has been able to dramatically increase its humanitarian capacity in the Central African Republic. Nevertheless, lack of funding remains a critical concern. The CAR crisis is UNICEF’s least funded regional emergency and a further US$81 million are required to meet the humanitarian needs of children in 2014.

About UNICEF
UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere. For more information about UNICEF and its work, visit: www.unicef.org

UN Climate Change News, 3 December 2018 – At the UN Climate Change Conference COP24 in Katowice, the payments network Visa Inc. is presenting an innovative way to make donations for climate action using a new digital platform, with benefits of the activity going toward the climate resilience projects of the Adaptation Fund, many of which involve ecosystem-based measures that improve peoples’ lives and livelihoods while restoring natural protections such as forests to protect soils and sustainably manage land and water resources.

A digital screen installation at the conference venue shows a virtual forest ecosystem in a lush state. Viewers see images of the ecosystem slowly degrading and can help halt the process by tapping an electronic reader with a Visa contactless card to simulate the act of making a donation. The health of the virtual ecosystem will improve after an accumulation of taps, demonstrating the importance of collective action to reverse the effects of climate change. For each tap that is made throughout COP24, Visa will donate €3 to the Adaptation Fund.

“A key aspect of many Adaptation Fund projects is their linkages to the protection of ecosystems, and how that often goes hand in hand with enhancing livelihoods and lives of the vulnerable communities we serve and improving their resilience to climate change,” said Victor Viñas, Chair of the Adaptation Fund Board. “Afforestation as well as restoring degraded forests strengthens soils, water supplies, sustainable land management and biodiversity, and reduces erosion in critical watersheds.”

The installation is intended to demonstrate how a powerful narrative can spur individuals to take action on climate change, and how the impact of that collective action has the potential to make a substantial difference. Visa hopes to replicate the system elsewhere after having demonstrated its value at COP24.

As a global payments technology company, Visa’s primary opportunities for reducing its direct environmental impacts lie in efforts to operate data centers and office buildings efficiently and responsibly, as the energy usage associated with these types of facilities comprise approximately 75% of their greenhouse gas emissions. Visa is advancing efforts to reduce these emissions through its commitment to using 100% renewable electricity across its global operations by the end of 2019.

This initiative is part of a broader, ongoing effort by Visa to minimize the environmental footprint of the payments ecosystem. Visa pursues certifications for its facilities through the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program and has achieved significant improvements in energy and water efficiency across its sites. Visa also seeks to curtail paper usage, source supplies and electronics responsibly, divert waste from landfills and promote a culture of sustainability among employees at work and at home.

How the Digital Installation Supports the Adaptation Fund
The narrative of the installation mirrors the positive outcomes of projects implemented by the Adaptation Fund, which are designed to restore nearly 185,000 hectares of natural habitat and protect more than 121,000 meters of coastline worldwide while building vulnerable communities’ resilience to climate change.

The work of the Adaptation Fund is already having tangible positive effects in vulnerable communities, helping them to adapt and build resilience to climate change through concrete projects in 81 developing countries to date, including Cambodia, Honduras and India, as well as Cuba and Small Island Developing States. Leveraging funds from private donors is meanwhile one source of revenue for the Fund.

As the impacts of climate change have become more evident over the last few years, the Adaptation Fund has seen record-breaking demand and has a growing project pipeline of more than a quarter-billion U.S. dollars. The fund set a US$90 million resource mobilization goal this year to help meet this increased demand. Although it receives a share of proceeds from Carbon Emission Reduction credits, since the carbon market dropped several years ago, it largely relies on voluntary public and private donations.

The Adaptation Fund’s concrete projects directly contribute to the goals of the Paris Agreement, which calls for a balance of adaptation to the impacts of climate change, reduced carbon emissions and accelerating climate action to the most vulnerable countries. Up to 33% of the efforts to reduce carbon emissions depend on preserving forests, which is why this topic was chosen for the installation.

VISA installation at COP 24
VISA
Adaptation Fund Project Examples:

Cambodia: An Adaptation Fund project is helping vulnerable communities adapt to floods and droughts in Cambodia in recent years that have affected food and water security and led to unsustainable use of forest resources. The project is restoring degraded forests through a tree nursery where the community has planted nearly one million indigenous trees across several sites that are crucial for sustainability, while another 342,000 fruit trees were distributed to communities for household and garden use.

Honduras: Two projects in Honduras are currently contributing to reforestation. The first safeguarded vulnerable communities to extreme climate events, such as floods, mudslides and drought by improving water drainage and storage, and climate-proofing homes. It also enhanced forest protection in watersheds that are critical to urban water supplies by protecting 60,000 HA of forest corridors. A follow-up project is increasing climate resilience of the most vulnerable communities in the Central Forest Corridor of Tegucigalpa.

India: A forestry project is building adaptive capacities of communities, livelihoods and ecological security in Madhya Pradesh. Training in villages on conservation, adopting climate-resilient agricultural practices and natural resource management are among its activities.

Cuba: An Adaptation Fund project is helping communities in Cuba that have been vulnerable to coastal flooding and sea level rise recover protective marine ecosystems and forests. By planting mangroves and fostering their natural regeneration, placing stake lines to reduce sea surges, cleaning canals and promoting coastal forest growth, the project is making a positive difference in reducing vulnerabilities to climate change in communities of Cuba’s southwestern Gulf of Batabanó. It is establishing and restoring 3,000 HA of mangroves on vulnerable coastal lands, and another 4,300 HA of landward edge woodlands.

Mauritius: An AF-funded project is involving local communities, fishermen and female leaders in restoring natural coastal systems in Mauritius through activities such as mangrove planting.
About partnerships between UN Climate Change and non-Party stakeholders

The partnership with the Adaptation Fund and Visa is part of a series of partnerships between UN Climate Change and relevant stakeholders to support climate action. The partnerships for COP24 promote increased involvement of non-Party stakeholders as foreseen in the Marrakesh Partnership for Global Climate Action (MPGCA).

The MPGCA was launched at COP22 by the Conference of the Parties, explicitly welcoming climate action of all non-Party stakeholders, including the private sector, to help implement the Paris Climate Change Agreement. All entities of society and business are strongly encouraged to scale up their efforts and support actions to reduce emissions, as well as to build resilience and decrease vulnerability to the adverse effects of climate change.

About the Adaptation Fund
Since 2010, the Adaptation Fund has committed about US$ 532 million for climate change adaptation and resilience projects and programmes, including 80 concrete localized adaptation projects in the most vulnerable communities of developing countries around the world with approximately 5.8 million direct beneficiaries. It also pioneered Direct Access, empowering countries to access funding and develop projects directly through accredited national implementing entities. For further information, visit adaptation-fund.org.

About Visa
Visa Inc. is a global leader in digital payments. Its mission is to connect the world through an innovative, reliable and secure payment network – for individuals, businesses and economies. Its advanced global processing network, VisaNet, provides secure and reliable payments around the world and is capable of handling more than 65,000 transaction messages a second. For more information, visit About Visa, visa.com/blog and @VisaNews.

“At Visa, we are striving to embed sustainability across the company – in our operations, our workforce and our broader ecosystem,” said Douglas Sabo, vice president and head of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability at Visa. “We are committed to collaborating with a variety of stakeholders, including UN Climate Change and the Adaptation Fund, to achieve a more inclusive and sustainable world.”

BENTONVILLE, Ark., – Today, the Walmart Foundation announces the start of a summer-long initiative to help children and families gain access to nutritious meals and learn healthy-eating habits. The family-focused initiative includes $15 million in grants that will provide meals and nutrition education to 1.4 million children and families in more than 1,500 communities. The six nonprofit organizations set to receive grant funding from the Walmart Foundation, include: Children’s Health Fund, Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), National 4-H Council, National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and YMCA of the USA (The Y). Additionally, as part of the initiative, Walmart kicks off a five-week Eat Healthy Together Challenge today that is designed to encourage families to prepare and eat healthy meals together throughout the summer.

According to a new FRAC report issued earlier this month, the number of children participating in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Summer Nutrition Programs increased last year, yet the need for greater access to meals during the summer months while school is out of session remains significant. Last year, only one in seven children who needed summer meals received them, leaving children vulnerable to negative impacts on their health and development during the summer months when regular school meals are not provided. Eating healthy food reduces a child’s risk of disease, helps maintain proper growth and development and improves their memory and mood, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“We know that summer can be a challenging time for millions of children who rely on the nutrition from free or reduced cost school meals,” said Julie Gehrki, senior director of the Walmart Foundation. “Through our relationships with dedicated nonprofit organizations, this summer, we will further our commitment to help people gain access to healthy foods and develop nutritious eating habits. We are proud to support this work which will reach over a million children and families in more than 1,500 communities.”

Join Walmart’s Eat Healthy Together Challenge
In addition to the grants from the Walmart Foundation to support nutrition education and healthy summer meals, Walmart is collaborating with Chef Lorena Garcia, renowned chef and author with TV appearances on BRAVO’s “Top Chef Masters” and NBC’s “Biggest Loser”, to launch the Eat Healthy Together Challenge. The challenge encourages families to eat healthy meals together at least three times a week. Families can join the challenge by taking these simple steps (click here for official contest rules):

Follow @WalmartHealthy on Twitter.
Post photos or updates on Twitter of your family eating healthy meals together, and include hashtags #EatHealthyTogether #Contest.
Check out @WalmartHealthy each Monday for the announcement of the winning Challenge Tweet of the week; each winner will be awarded a $25 Walmart gift card.

The challenge will run from Monday, June 30, 2014, through Monday, August 4, 2014, with the first gift card to be awarded on Monday, July 7, 2014. Entries need to be received by 10:00 a.m. ET on Mondays to be considered for the contest each week.

To learn more about meal planning and how families can create healthy meals together, please visit foundation.walmart.com/eathealthytogether for access to helpful resources:

Download, print and post a Challenge Calendar to track each day you eat as a family
Get healthy shopping & cooking tips and a recipe from Chef Lorena
Check out more tasty summer recipe ideas at Walmart.com
“Parents and caregivers are the single most influential role model when it comes to nutrition, and in turn, it falls on their shoulders to help children learn healthy eating habits,” said Chef Lorena. “Walmart’s Eat Healthy Together Challenge is a fun, interactive way to help encourage more families to eat healthy together by providing them with the resources they need to succeed. Fostering a routine now will help ensure the habit continues during the school year and beyond.”

Walmart strives to provide customers with healthier and more affordable food choices so families can live better, healthier lives. Walmart and the Walmart Foundation recently met, and exceeded, their $2 billion commitment to fight hunger in America through 2015, and will continue to fund programs intended to increase access to healthy food and provide nutrition education to families nationwide. To learn more about Walmart’s commitments to fight hunger and provide nutrition education, visit foundation.walmart.com.

About Philanthropy at Walmart
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are committed to helping people live better through philanthropic efforts. By operating globally and giving back locally, Walmart is uniquely positioned to address the needs of the communities it serves and make a significant social impact within its core areas of giving: Hunger Relief & Healthy Eating, Sustainability, Career Opportunity and Women’s Economic Empowerment. Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are leading the fight against hunger in the United States with a $2 billion commitment through 2015. Together, they have donated more than 1 billion meals to those in need across the country. To learn more about Walmart’s giving, visit foundation.walmart.com.