AT&T Joins "Share Our Strength" and Greater Chicago Food Depository in the Fight against Childhood Hunger
Employee Food Drive Delivers Nearly 6,700 Meals for Those in Need
In response to President Barack Obama's recent call for all Americans to participate in an annual national day of service on January 19, Share Our Strength and AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), along with the Communications Workers of America (CWA), the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the AT&T Pioneers, recently announced two programs to fight childhood hunger. The initiatives include a text-donation program and a nationwide AT&T food drive that involves employees in the Chicagoland area. Today, AT&T announced that its Chicago food drive collected the equivalent of nearly 6,700 meals that will be distributed by the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
From now until March 1, AT&T wireless customers can donate $5 to Share Our Strength by simply texting the word "SHARE" to 20222 on their mobile device. AT&T will match text donations for a total contribution up to $100,000.
The national text-donation initiative is a coordinated effort between Share Our Strength and the Mobile Giving Foundation, a nonprofit wireless industry organization. Donations will be used to help provide food for the 12.4 million children at risk of hunger in America and will help address the recent increase in traffic at food banks across the country.
"In this economy, charitable donations are usually one of the first expenses to be eliminated," said Bill Shore, founder and Executive Director of Share Our Strength. "Yet at the same time, more people need our help. With a huge system of support from wireless carriers like AT&T, we are able to reach millions of people and communicate that, together, their simple text donations of just $5 can help feed millions of children."
In addition to the text-donation program, AT&T Pioneers — the industry's largest employee and retiree volunteer organization — is leading a nationwide AT&T employee food drive to benefit community food banks that serve America's children in 32 major metropolitan areas, including Chicago and Hoffman Estates.
The Greater Chicago Food Depository distributes donated and purchased food through a network of 600 food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters to 500,000 adults and children every year.
"Food donations are essential in a time when 33 percent more people are turning to pantries in our community," said Kate Maehr, Executive Director of the Greater Chicago Food Depository. "It's because of partners like AT&T that there is a significant response to hunger in Cook County."
AT&T Illinois employees were encouraged to bring a variety of canned goods, including beans, fruits, vegetables, cereal, chicken, chili, pasta, peanut butter, tuna, rice, salmon and soup, to designated locations across Chicago.
"During these challenging economic times, more and more children are being forced to live with less and less food. The Greater Chicago Food Depository is on the frontlines every day making sure as many people as possible don't wake up or go to bed hungry. I want to thank all those participating AT&T employees for their kindness and generosity," Chicago Alderman Edward Burke said.
"CWA and Chicago-based CWA Locals 4250 and 4216 were pleased to work with the AT&T Pioneers on this important effort because, unfortunately, more and more families are relying on food banks to survive. The Greater Chicago Food Depository is a lifeline for hungry children across the region, and we're hopeful these donations will make a difference in their lives," CWA Representative Ron Honse said.
"In these tough times those most in need are often forgotten. We're proud of our members taking President Barack Obama's challenge to help rebuild America. Their donations will help children facing hunger. They are our future. The Greater Chicago Food Depository provides the substance so these children may have the nourishment to achieve their hopes and dreams," said IBEW Local 21 President Ronald E. Kastner.
Information on Share Our Strength's Operation No Kid Hungry initiative, including the cross-carrier text donation program, can be found at www.strength.org. For more on how AT&T is contributing to the cause and for information about all of AT&T offerings, visit www.att.com.
"Our employees and the AT&T Pioneers are committed to serving and strengthening the communities where we live and work," AT&T Illinois President Paul La Schiazza said. "Eliminating childhood hunger is a monumental task that requires a tremendous amount of teamwork. We're happy to make the Greater Chicago Food Depository's tireless efforts just a little easier."
NOTE: A one-time charge of $5 will be added to users' mobile phone bills. Standard messaging rates and additional fees may apply. All charges are billed by and payable to users' respective mobile service providers. This tax-deductible donation benefits the Share our Strength campaign. Service is available on most carriers. Users can unsubscribe at anytime by texting 'STOP' to 20222 or text 'HELP' for more info.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications services, the nation's fastest 3G network and the best wireless coverage worldwide, and the nation's leading high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of their three-screen integration strategy, AT&T operating companies are expanding their TV entertainment offerings. In 2008, AT&T again ranked No. 1 in the telecommunications industry on FORTUNE® magazine's lists of the World's Most Admired Companies and America's Most Admired Companies. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com.
In response to President Barack Obama's recent call for all Americans to participate in an annual national day of service on January 19, Share Our Strength and AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), along with the Communications Workers of America (CWA), the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and the AT&T Pioneers, recently announced two programs to fight childhood hunger. The initiatives include a text-donation program and a nationwide AT&T food drive that involves employees in the Chicagoland area. Today, AT&T announced that its Chicago food drive collected the equivalent of nearly 6,700 meals that will be distributed by the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
From now until March 1, AT&T wireless customers can donate $5 to Share Our Strength by simply texting the word "SHARE" to 20222 on their mobile device. AT&T will match text donations for a total contribution up to $100,000.
The national text-donation initiative is a coordinated effort between Share Our Strength and the Mobile Giving Foundation, a nonprofit wireless industry organization. Donations will be used to help provide food for the 12.4 million children at risk of hunger in America and will help address the recent increase in traffic at food banks across the country.
"In this economy, charitable donations are usually one of the first expenses to be eliminated," said Bill Shore, founder and Executive Director of Share Our Strength. "Yet at the same time, more people need our help. With a huge system of support from wireless carriers like AT&T, we are able to reach millions of people and communicate that, together, their simple text donations of just $5 can help feed millions of children."
In addition to the text-donation program, AT&T Pioneers — the industry's largest employee and retiree volunteer organization — is leading a nationwide AT&T employee food drive to benefit community food banks that serve America's children in 32 major metropolitan areas, including Chicago and Hoffman Estates.
The Greater Chicago Food Depository distributes donated and purchased food through a network of 600 food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters to 500,000 adults and children every year.
"Food donations are essential in a time when 33 percent more people are turning to pantries in our community," said Kate Maehr, Executive Director of the Greater Chicago Food Depository. "It's because of partners like AT&T that there is a significant response to hunger in Cook County."
AT&T Illinois employees were encouraged to bring a variety of canned goods, including beans, fruits, vegetables, cereal, chicken, chili, pasta, peanut butter, tuna, rice, salmon and soup, to designated locations across Chicago.
"During these challenging economic times, more and more children are being forced to live with less and less food. The Greater Chicago Food Depository is on the frontlines every day making sure as many people as possible don't wake up or go to bed hungry. I want to thank all those participating AT&T employees for their kindness and generosity," Chicago Alderman Edward Burke said.
"CWA and Chicago-based CWA Locals 4250 and 4216 were pleased to work with the AT&T Pioneers on this important effort because, unfortunately, more and more families are relying on food banks to survive. The Greater Chicago Food Depository is a lifeline for hungry children across the region, and we're hopeful these donations will make a difference in their lives," CWA Representative Ron Honse said.
"In these tough times those most in need are often forgotten. We're proud of our members taking President Barack Obama's challenge to help rebuild America. Their donations will help children facing hunger. They are our future. The Greater Chicago Food Depository provides the substance so these children may have the nourishment to achieve their hopes and dreams," said IBEW Local 21 President Ronald E. Kastner.
Information on Share Our Strength's Operation No Kid Hungry initiative, including the cross-carrier text donation program, can be found at www.strength.org. For more on how AT&T is contributing to the cause and for information about all of AT&T offerings, visit www.att.com.
"Our employees and the AT&T Pioneers are committed to serving and strengthening the communities where we live and work," AT&T Illinois President Paul La Schiazza said. "Eliminating childhood hunger is a monumental task that requires a tremendous amount of teamwork. We're happy to make the Greater Chicago Food Depository's tireless efforts just a little easier."
NOTE: A one-time charge of $5 will be added to users' mobile phone bills. Standard messaging rates and additional fees may apply. All charges are billed by and payable to users' respective mobile service providers. This tax-deductible donation benefits the Share our Strength campaign. Service is available on most carriers. Users can unsubscribe at anytime by texting 'STOP' to 20222 or text 'HELP' for more info.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications services, the nation's fastest 3G network and the best wireless coverage worldwide, and the nation's leading high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of their three-screen integration strategy, AT&T operating companies are expanding their TV entertainment offerings. In 2008, AT&T again ranked No. 1 in the telecommunications industry on FORTUNE® magazine's lists of the World's Most Admired Companies and America's Most Admired Companies. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com.
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