FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Kellogg Company Awards $250,000 to YMCA of the USA to Create More Physical Activities for Underserved Youth
Funding to establish 'Opportunity to Play Grants' for YMCAs in or near Kellogg manufacturing locations
CHICAGO, Illinois, June 5, 2007—YMCA of the USA announced today that Kellogg’s Corporate Citizenship Fund, the charitable arm of Kellogg Company, has awarded a gift of $250,000 to help YMCAs across the country provide more physical activity opportunities to underserved youth in Kellogg communities.
Specifically, Kellogg will award 24 “Opportunity to Play Grants” of $10,000 each to YMCAs located within 25 miles of a Kellogg manufacturing location to help them improve existing programs or develop new initiatives, resulting in more opportunities for underserved youth to be physically active. Eligible YMCAs will be able to apply for the grants in late June, with funding awarded in August.
These grant awards enhance a partnership between Kellogg and Y-USA that supports YMCA Activate America®, the YMCA’s innovative public health initiative which seeks to address the nation’s growing health crisis by helping children and adults in their pursuit of well-being in spirit, mind and body. In 2006, Kellogg’s Corporate Citizenship Fund awarded YMCA of the USA a $1 million grant to support YMCA Activate America and three of its signature components: Organizational Transformation, a process designed to improve YMCAs’ support to individuals and families who seek a healthy lifestyle; Pioneering Healthier Communities, a program that engages key community stakeholders in developing strategies to reduce barriers and increase support for healthy living; and YMCA Healthy Kids® Day, an annual grassroots community event that uses fun, engaging and creative activities to encourage children and families to embrace lifelong healthy habits.“As a national partner of YMCA Activate America, Kellogg Company is a strong and valued supporter of the YMCA’s long-term efforts to help individuals and families lead healthier lives," said Neil Nicoll, president and CEO of YMCA of the USA. “We are delighted that Kellogg is expanding its support of health and well-being to offer underserved youth more opportunities to get and stay physically active.”
YMCAs receiving “Kellogg’s Opportunity to Play Grants” must use the funding to provide physical activity opportunities above and beyond what is currently available in their communities. These additional opportunities will target underserved youth as defined by each individual YMCA.
“Kellogg and the YMCA share a common goal to find better ways to help people – especially our youth – lead healthier lifestyles,” said Kellogg Company’s Dr. Celeste Clark, senior vice president, Global Nutrition and Corporate Affairs. “We believe this enhanced partnership with the YMCA will complement Kellogg’s investment in YMCA Activate America and provide the greatest impact in our targeted communities.”
YMCAs have long been at the forefront of efforts to improve the health and wellness of individuals, families and communities. They are collectively one of the largest providers of health and wellness programs and activities in the country, serving more than 10,000 communities and neighborhoods nationwide. YMCAs are also collectively the largest not-for-profit provider of child care, afterschool and youth sports programs.
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About YMCA Activate America®
YMCA Activate America builds upon the YMCA’s 155-year track record of pioneering efforts that respond to timely societal needs - in this case, America’s health crisis. Launched in 2004, YMCA Activate America is an ambitious public health initiative that is seeking to make healthy living a reality for millions of Americans by directly helping individuals and families live healthier lives, and by helping YMCAs lead their communities and the nation to reduce barriers and increase supports for healthy living. Expert advisors to the YMCA on this initiative include: Harvard University School of Public Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Steps to a HealthierUS, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Active Living by Design program, the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors and others. Visit www.ymca.net/activateamerica.
About Kellogg's Corporate Citizenship Fund
Kellogg’s Corporate Citizenship Fund is the charitable arm of Kellogg Company. With 2006 sales of almost $11 billion, Kellogg Company (NYSE:K) is the world’s leading producer of cereal and a leading producer of convenience foods. Kellogg products are manufactured in 17 countries and marketed in more than 180 countries around the world. Kellogg contributed more than $37 million in cash and $116 million in product to various charitable organizations around the world over the last five years. Visit www.kelloggcompany.com.
About YMCA of the USA
YMCA of the USA is the national resource office for the nation’s 2,663 YMCAs, which serve nearly 20.2 million people each year, including 9.5 million children under age 18. YMCAs unite men, women and children of all ages, faiths, backgrounds, abilities and income levels. From urban areas to small towns, YMCAs are collectively the nation’s largest not-for-profit provider of child care and afterschool programs. A place for people to belong, YMCAs have proudly served America’s communities for more than 155 years by building healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Visit www.ymca.net.
For more information, please contact:
Diane Hurles
Donor Relations Manager
YMCA of the USA
312-419-8374
Cell: 312-758-6397
diane.hurles@ymca.net
Julie Bosley
Manager, Corporate Public Relations
Kellogg Company
269-961-3799
media.hotline@kellogg.com