News Release

ConAgra Foods(R) Foundation Joins The Ellen DeGeneres Show to Donate $100,000 to American Red Cross Haitian Relief Fund

Feb 3, 2010, 7:01 AM EST

OMAHA, Neb., Feb 03, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The ConAgra Foods(R) Foundation today announced another $100,000 donation to the American Red Cross, in addition to its donation of $100,000 made Jan. 13, 2010, during an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Both donations benefit the American Red Cross' Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund.

"After the Jan. 12 earthquake, it was clear that each of us needed to do what we could to immediately support the efforts of reputable relief agencies like the Red Cross," said Chris Kircher, president of the ConAgra Foods Foundation. "As we learn more about the scale of tragedy in Haiti, it's become apparent that the Red Cross will need even more support. For that reason, we're proud to join Ellen DeGeneres in bringing more attention to the plight of Haitians and have doubled our donation to the Red Cross' Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund."

Immediately following the Jan. 12 earthquake, the ConAgra Foods Foundation committed $100,000 to the American Red Cross' effort to help Haitians in need. Today's announcement on The Ellen DeGeneres Show represents the second donation of $100,000 ConAgra Foods has made specifically to the Red Cross' efforts to aid Haitians, which brings their total donation for to $200,000.

"Because of the generosity of ConAgra Foods and other donors, people in Haiti can get the short-term relief they need in the aftermath of the earthquake, and they will also receive resources, support, and training from the Red Cross that will help them recover and rebuild in the years ahead," said Jeff Towers, chief development officer of the American Red Cross. "It is clear that what took minutes to destroy will take many years and the collective support from governments and relief agencies such as the Red Cross to help mend."

"Considering the scale of devastation in Haiti, we hope others will do what they can to support the Red Cross and its work in Haiti. Whether that's donating $10, $100 or $100,000 - every dollar counts. According to the Red Cross, a donation of even just $25 will provide a family of five in Haiti with a kitchen set that includes two cooking pots, a frying pan, bowls, plates, cups and utensils," added Kircher.

Donations can be online at http://www.redcross.org/.

In 1998, the ConAgra Foods Foundation became a founding member of the American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program, and, in 2005, it pledged an additional $1 million to the cause, to be contributed over five years. This domestic-focused disaster relief fund enables the Red Cross to tap into critical resources and respond immediately to emergency situations, such as those brought about by Hurricane Katrina and, more recently, the string of tornadoes that struck Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Iowa in 2008.

In 2008, following the disasters in Myanmar and China, the ConAgra Foods Foundation extended its support to the Red Cross International Relief Fund to effectively reach people in disaster-ravaged areas where aid is needed most as quickly as possible.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization -- not a government agency -- and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit http://www.redcross.org/ or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org/ohttp:/blog.redcross.org/.

About ConAgra Foods Foundation

The ConAgra Foods Foundation, through its Nourish Today, Flourish Tomorrow platform, is dedicated to raising awareness of the nearly 17 million children in America who are at risk of hunger and don't have enough food to live active, healthful lives. It aggressively pursues sustainable solutions in the fight against child hunger. And the Foundation is committed to building a community of people who are passionate about ensuring that all kids have access to the food and facts they need to eat nutritiously while living balanced lifestyles and succeeding in school and life. ConAgra Foods Foundation invests in national and local partnerships with high-impact, not-for-profit organizations, such as Feeding America, that take an innovative approach to addressing needs in the core areas of hunger and nutrition education. For more information, please visit http://www.nourishkidstoday.org/index.jsp or http://www.facebook.com/conagrafoodsfoundation The ConAgra Foods Foundation is funded solely by ConAgra Foods, http://www.conagrafoods.com/index2.jsp

Click here to view the photo of Chris Kircher, president, ConAgra Foods Foundation, presenting the check to Ellen, and click here to watch the video.

SOURCE: ConAgra Foods

ConAgra Foods
Stephanie Childs, 402-240-6258
stephanie.childs@conagrafoods.com
or
American Red Cross
Public Affairs Desk
202-303-5551
media@usa.redcross.org