ConAgra Foods Launches Child Hunger Ends Here Campaign to Donate an Additional 2.5 Million Meals to Feeding America

OMAHA, Neb., March 2, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --

With one in four American children struggling with hunger, ConAgra Foods(R) (NYSE: CAG), in partnership with Feeding America(R), is asking consumers to act now by taking part in a new initiative to fight child hunger. ConAgra Foods' Child Hunger Ends Here(TM) campaign is designed to draw attention to child hunger in the United States and provide consumers with simple ways to help end it. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 17.2 million children are at risk of hunger across the nation in communities that include rural towns; suburban neighborhoods and urban centers - making it clear that hunger is a reality for many Americans.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110302/CG57334)

Child Hunger Ends Here brings together some of ConAgra Foods' best known brands as part of the largest cause-marketing program in the company's history. Highlighted by a multi-brand packaging promotion, the airing of a broadcast special on NBC and online and social media extensions, the comprehensive campaign extends ConAgra Foods' long-standing commitment to ending child hunger in America.

"ConAgra Foods believes no child in the United States should face the risk of hunger," said Gary Rodkin, CEO of ConAgra Foods. "Our hope is that people from around the country will lend their support to the Child Hunger Ends Here campaign and help us in our quest to donate enough money so that Feeding America can purchase another 2.5 million meals this year. This is in addition to our donations that help provide more than 1 million meals per month each year."

Last year the Child Hunger Ends Here campaign generated 2.5 million meals and brought together thousands of people in support of Feeding America as well as the more than 200 member food banks and 63,000 related agencies that rely on Feeding America's services. The campaign builds on a commitment by ConAgra Foods and the ConAgra Foods Foundation to end child hunger, which has resulted in donations of more than 250 million pounds of food to Feeding America since 1993. ConAgra Foods and the ConAgra Foods Foundation have also donated $35 million to Feeding America, including a recent five-year, $10 million pledge from the ConAgra Foods Foundation, the largest donation ever made to Feeding America specifically to fight child hunger.

There are a number of ways to get involved and support the cause, including:

• Go Grocery Shopping - From March through May 2011, ConAgra Foods will embark on its largest branded initiative to fight child hunger in the United States. Consumers can purchase select ConAgra Foods brands and, when they enter their code online, the company will donate one meal to Feeding America - up to 2.5 million meals this during the time period.* Visit http://www.childhungerendshere.com/ and enter the eight-digit purchase code found on specially marked packages. Participating brands include: Banquet, Chef Boyardee, Healthy Choice, Fresh Mixers, Kid Cuisine, Marie Callender's and Peter Pan. Every code entered is another meal that ConAgra Foods will enable Feeding America to secure through local food banks. Codes on specially marked packages can be redeemed through August 2011.
• Text to Donate - Consumers can make a financial contribution to Feeding America through a mobile giving campaign. Simply text "FEEDKIDS" to 50555 to make a $10 donation directly to Feeding America through June 30, 2011.
• Watch the Special - On March 19 in select markets**, "Child Hunger Ends Here: A Special Report," a 30-minute special hosted by Al Roker with Natalie Morales, will premiere on NBC highlighting the personal stories of families struggling with hunger and showcasing how Americans can work together to tackle this issue. Check local listings for viewing times. During the special, viewers can also participate in an online event that will shed additional light on the child hunger issue. By following #ChildHungerEndsHere on Twitter during the broadcast, participants can ask questions from an expert panel, as well as learn about ways to get involved. In addition, a series of PSAs will run in select markets highlighting key child hunger issues and the text to donate program.
• Spread the Word - Individuals can get more information on the child hunger issue by following ConAgra Foods on Facebook and Twitter. When you become a fan at facebook.com/ConAgraFoods, you can see how your donations are making a difference and share your own photos and stories. You can also follow the issue and get the latest information at twitter.com/ConAgraFoods.

"ConAgra Foods is a longtime, committed partner of Feeding America and we are incredibly grateful for the ongoing dedication to fighting domestic child hunger," said Vicki Escarra, President and CEO of Feeding America. "With one in four children across the nation struggling with hunger, we are in crisis right now. No American should go hungry, and we thank ConAgra Foods for joining us in that belief and for raising awareness and support for Feeding America."

About ConAgra Foods:

ConAgra Foods, Inc., (NYSE: CAG) is one of North America's leading food companies, with brands in 97 percent of America's households. Consumers find Banquet, Chef Boyardee, Egg Beaters, Healthy Choice, Hebrew National, Hunt's, Marie Callender's, Orville Redenbacher's, PAM, Peter Pan, Reddi-wip and many ConAgra Foods brands in grocery, convenience, mass merchandise and club stores. ConAgra Foods also has a strong business-to-business presence, supplying frozen potato and sweet potato products as well as other vegetable, spice and grain products to a variety of well-known restaurants, foodservice operators and commercial customers. For more information, please visit us at http://www.conagrafoods.com/.

About Feeding America:

Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity, our network members supply food to more than 37 million Americans each year, including 14 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks support 63,000 agencies that address hunger in all of its forms. For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community and across the country, visit http://www.feedingamerica.org/. Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow our news on Twitter at twitter.com/FeedingAmerica.

* When consumers activate their purchase online at www.childhungerendshere.com and enter an eight digit code, a monetary donation will be made enabling one meal to be secured by Feeding America on behalf of local food banks, up to a maximum of 2.5 million meals for codes entered through 8/31/11. Valid in US only. $1 donated = 7 meals secured by Feeding America on behalf of local food banks.

**Markets include Chicago, Dallas, Hartford, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Omaha, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.

SOURCE ConAgra Foods