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Kohl’s Donates
$800,000 to Hunger Task Force to Provide Emergency Food
Supplies to Soup Kitchens, Food Pantries and Homeless
Shelters
Donation is in addition to $1.5 million for Kohl’s
Serving Up Supper for Kids Program
MILWAUKEE, December 15, 2011
–Kohl’s
Department Stores
(NYSE: KSS) today announced an $800,000 donation to Hunger
Task Force in Milwaukee to ensure that the emergency need
for food is met now, when food pantry shelves are low on
essentials such as peanut butter, dry milk and canned
vegetables. The donation will help provide appropriate food
supplies throughout the year for the approximately 35,000
people that rely on food pantries and soup kitchens in the
area each month. With the uncertain economy, many charitable
organizations are faced with a greater demand for services,
and according to the Nonprofit Research Collaborative, 30
percent of charitable organizations reported a decrease in
fundraising from last year*. The donation is funded through
the Kohl’s Cares® cause merchandise program,
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.
Just in time for the holiday season, part of the donation
immediately filled emergency food supplies at Hunger Task
Force’s network of 82 food pantries, soup kitchens and
homeless shelters throughout the Milwaukee area, providing
dry milk, cereal, peanut butter, canned vegetables and soup
as well as other food staples that were in urgent need. The
remainder of the donation will be used to ensure appropriate
supplies of food to Hunger Task Force’s network of food
pantries and soup kitchens throughout the year.
“Everyone at Kohl’s was deeply moved when Hunger Task Force
informed us that they would be unable to provide some of
their crucial services due to lack of funds. We felt
fortunate to be in a position to help during this time of
need,” said Julie Gardner, Kohl’s executive vice president
and chief marketing officer. “Nearly 60,000 meals are served
at soup kitchens in Milwaukee each month – and about half of
those served are children. Our partnership with Hunger Task
Force, through our Kohl’s Serving Up Supper for Kids
Program, is dedicated to fighting hunger for kids in our
community. We are very proud of the service that Hunger Task
Force provides and know that this additional donation will
help fill a critical need for families doing all they can to
make ends meet.”
“We are
overwhelmed by the generosity of Kohl’s,” said Sherrie
Tussler, Hunger Task Force executive director. “They have
been amazing partners when creating our Kohl’s Serving Up
Supper for Kids Program and, when they heard of our need,
they didn’t hesitate in their decision to help fill our
pantries. Thousands of families will now have the nutritious
meals we strive to provide.”
In January 2011, Kohl’s Cares committed $1.5 million over
three years and partnered with Hunger Task Force to create
the Kohl’s Serving Up Supper for Kids program, which
provides nutritious suppers to Milwaukee children in need
throughout the summer months when school meals are not
available. Summer is traditionally a high-risk period for
hunger because children in need are not receiving their
usual school meals. The United States Department of
Agriculture has referred to the summer meal program as the
“Milwaukee Model” for communities in other states to
replicate.
In addition to
supporting Hunger Task Force, Kohl’s and Kohl’s Cares have
combined to give more than $39 million since 2000, to
support charitable initiatives in the metro-Milwaukee area,
including the following recent contributions:
· $2.7 million over three years to the Milwaukee Art
Museum
· $1 million over four years to the Zoological
Society of Milwaukee County
· $2 million donation over three years to Discovery
World
· $7 million donation over three years to the
Southeast Wisconsin affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure
and the American Cancer Society’s Midwest Division
· $3 million donation over three years to Junior
Achievement of Wisconsin
· $1 million donation over three years to Penfield
Children’s Center
For more information about Kohl’s Serving Up Supper for Kids
or how you can help Hunger Task Force, log on to
HungerTaskForce.org.
For more information about Kohl’s philanthropic and
community initiatives, visit
www.Kohls.com/Cares.
About Hunger Task Force
Hunger Task Force believes that every person has a right to
adequate food obtained with dignity. Hunger Task Force
works to prevent hunger and malnutrition by providing food
to people in need today and by promoting social policies to
achieve a hunger free community tomorrow. Visit
HungerTaskForce.org.
About Kohl’s Department Stores
Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) is a
family-focused, value-oriented specialty department store
offering moderately priced, exclusive and national brand
apparel, shoes, accessories, beauty and home products in an
exciting shopping environment. With a commitment to
environmental leadership, Kohl’s operates 1,127 stores in 49
states. In support of the communities it serves, Kohl’s has
raised more than $180 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 a list of store locations and information, or for the
added convenience of shopping online, visit
www.Kohls.com.
*Nonprofit Research Collaborative Summer/Early Fall 2011,
September 2011 |