Dr. Dorothy Height
Minneapolis, MN --- She's your neighbor. He's your barber. She directs your church choir. But there's more to them than meets the eye. Every day, thousands of unsung heroes pour their hearts and souls into mentoring youth, sprucing up neighborhoods, transporting the elderly, or simply organizing a health fair. These acts of service may not gain widespread attention, but their effect is often impactful.
In honor of the many individuals who selflessly give of their time and energy, General Mills, Inc. and the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) have partnered to introduce Feeding Dreams. This community-based program will celebrate men and women whose passion to serve motivates them to contribute to their communities and uplift individuals, families, and neighborhoods.
The Feeding Dreams campaign will launch in Birmingham, Charlotte, and Memphis this fall and will recognize local "Local Heroes" in areas including education and health. Popular General Mills brands -- Honey Nut Cheerios(R), Yoplait(R), Bisquick(R), Grands!(R) Biscuits and Hamburger Helper(R) -- will sponsor messages about the initiative through retail promotion, the Internet, and advertising.
"Service is at the heart of the NCNW mission," said Dr. Dorothy Height, chair and president emerita, NCNW. "We understand the important roles that volunteerism and service play in the African- American community, and have witnessed what the collective efforts of dedicated families and individuals can do to inspire positive change. We are thrilled to work with General Mills and the residents of Birmingham, Charlotte, and Memphis to celebrate their communities and honor our Local Heroes."
"General Mills is committed to enhancing communities," added Marc Belton, executive vice president, Worldwide Health, Brand & New Business Development. "Our company has a longstanding tradition of nourishing the lives of families. In addition to our corporate partnerships with organizations like the NCNW, nearly 80 percent of our U.S. employees give their time to improving communities through volunteerism. We're excited to partner with the NCNW to extend our commitment to service and to recognize local individuals doing great things."
Feeding Dreams activities will include a monthly awards program that will honor one Local Hero per month in each city between September 2008 and March 2009, and will culminate with local community service events in March 2009.
Local Heroes will receive a $500 Visa Check Card, $1,000 to donate to their 501(c)3 charity of choice, a supply of General Mills products, and recognition during the March events, which will feature Dr. Height. Feeding Dreams will also honor 30 additional nominees with $100 gift cards and gift baskets.A
Nominations for Feeding Dreams will be driven by community members, or individuals can nominate themselves. To submit nominations in one of the participating cities, or for more information, please visit http://www.feedingdreams. com.
General Mills, with annual net sales of $13.4 billion, is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of consumer foods products. Based in Minneapolis, Minn., General Mills' mission is to innovate to make people's lives healthier, easier and richer around the world. Its global brand portfolio includes Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Haagen-Dazs, Old El Paso and more. It also has more than 100 U.S. consumer brands, more than 30 of which generate annual retail sales in excess of $100 million. General Mills also is a leading supplier of baking and other food products to the foodservice and commercial baking industries.
The National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) is a council of national African- American women's organizations and community-based sections. Founded in 1935, the NCNW mission is to lead, develop, and advocate for women of African descent as they support their families and communities. NCNW fulfills this purpose through research, advocacy, and national and community-based services and programs on issues of health, education, and economic empowerment in the United States and Africa. With its 39 national affiliates and more than 200 sections, NCNW is a 501(c)3 organization with an outreach to nearly four million women. For more information about NCNW, please call (202) 737 0120, or visit http://www.ncnw.org.