Kellogg Company employees and retirees raise $3.1 million for United Way

The Kellogg total is made up of employee and retiree pledges, a dollar-for-dollar match of pledges from Kellogg's Corporate Citizenship Fund and revenues from fundraisers conducted by employees during the campaign. Employee-led fundraising activities such as a golf outing, bowling event, motorcycle ride and multiple live and silent auctions raised more than $196,000 of the company campaign total.

The great news was delivered by Kellogg Company's United Way campaign leadership team during a check presentation at the Food Bank of South Central Michigan, one of United Way of Greater Battle Creek's 34 program delivery partners.

"In a tough economy, Kellogg people stepped up with record contributions to United Way," said Brad Davidson, president, Kellogg North America. "It's gratifying to know that this remarkable generosity will be used to help local people meet their most basic needs."

"When we set the community campaign goal at $5.1 million this year, we knew it was an aggressive number considering current economic conditions," said 2008 Community Solutions Campaign Co-chair, Joe McCorkle, senior vice president, Bank of America.

The United Way Campaign Cabinet is made up of a group of more than 30 volunteers from around the community who dedicate their time, leading up to and throughout the Campaign, to help ensure a successful result for the community.

"When the campaign cabinet decided that anything less than was raised last year was unacceptable, we all made a pledge to do everything within our means to make goal. Kellogg employees and retirees have set a great example and provided important momentum for the rest of the campaign!" added McCorkle.

"The generosity exhibited by Kellogg people provides a call to action to open our wallets and contribute to United Way according to our ability," said Cindy Ruble, community solutions campaign co-chair and superintendent, Lakeview School District.

It is no coincidence that the Food Bank was chosen as the setting for the check presentation as requests for food assistance continue to top the charts at the 2-1-1 Call Center. In fact, this year, requests for food assistance have already increased thirty-nine percent, this on top of last year's record year. Members of the community continue to struggle to provide basic needs for their families and it is in large part, thanks to the success of United Way's campaigns, that additional dollars are able to be earmarked to help meet the ever-increasing need. As part of its Day of Caring activities, Kellogg employees organized "Stuff the Truck" food drives at Kellogg facilities collecting more than 7,300 pounds of food.

The Kellogg total is made up of employee and retiree pledges, a dollar-for-dollar match of pledges from Kellogg's Corporate Citizenship Fund and revenues from fundraisers conducted by employees during the campaign. Employee-led fundraising activities such as a golf outing, bowling event, motorcycle ride and multiple live and silent auctions raised more than $196,000 of the company campaign total.

Kellogg Company's contribution is $300,000 more than their original goal of $2.8 million and $400,000 more than the 2007 contribution.

Anyone interested in making a gift to United Way of Greater Battle Creek should call 269.962.9538 or visit www.unitedwaybattlecreek.org to learn more.

Final results of the 2008 Community Solutions Campaign will be announced at the 2008 Wrap-Up, December 11, 2008 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at the Battle Creek Holiday Inn located in Harper Village. Anyone interested in attending should call United Way of Greater Battle Creek at 269.962.9538.