Developer Joins Forces with National Hunger Organization to Conduct
Food Drives and Promote Hunger Relief at Malls Nationwide
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. (NYSE: CBL) is teaming up with WHY
(World Hunger Year) for Santa Feeds AmericaSM, a cause
marketing campaign designed to provide meals to families in need and
stock empty cupboards across the nation this holiday season. The
initiative is the only nationwide canned food drive ever conducted by a
shopping center developer. More than 80 CBL properties across the
country will collect canned food and non-perishable items during
November and December for distribution to needy families via local food
banks.
Due to the strained economy, hunger-relief organizations are striving to
meet greater demand for aid with fewer resources than ever before. More
than 36.2 million Americans, including more than 12 million children and
nearly three million seniors, are in need of food assistance, and the
need is growing.
"Many families must choose between paying bills and putting food on the
table. During this season of giving, we are working with local food
banks to promote hunger relief to the hundreds of thousands of shoppers
that visit CBL malls," said Barb Faucette, vice president of corporate
mall marketing for CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. "Through Santa
Feeds America we will help ensure needy families have a holiday meal to
share and food in their pantry."
CBL malls are collaborating with WHY and local food banks to ask
shoppers, including families visiting Santa, to bring the gift of a
non-perishable food item for the families in their community that are in
need the most. Donations will be collected at the Santa Set, and donors
will receive discounts from a variety of retailers. Cherry Hill Photo,
an industry leader in capturing the Santa photo experience, will provide
a discount on family photo packages to all donors. All food and monetary
donations will stay in the community in which they are collected.
"We are grateful to CBL Properties for encouraging their customers to
help their hungry neighbors while they're shopping for the holidays,"
said Noreen Springstead, WHY's director of marketing and fundraising.
"This is a nationwide effort and a unique opportunity for holiday
shoppers to support our local food bank partners in more than 80
communities across America."
WHY, an organization supported by recording artists to fight hunger and
poverty worldwide, is also working with CBL to promote its "Imagine
There's No Hunger" campaign. Regional malls in Georgia, Michigan,
Minnesota, Missouri, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas
will participate in WHY's Hungerthon. Each location will hold a
radioathon on Tues., Nov. 24 to coincide with a series of events in the
New York area. Hungerthons are designed to raise awareness about the
hunger epidemic in America and urge people to "imagine" their role in
creating a world without hunger. During the Hungerthon, donors will
receive limited edition Hard Rock Cafe "Imagine There's No Hunger" John
Lennon pins, tee shirts, sweatshirts, gift boxes, and the SERVE4 charity
CD.
More information about Santa Feeds America is available on CBL's
website, cblproperties.com.
About WHY (World Hunger Year)
WHY is a leading advocate for innovative, community-based solutions to
hunger and poverty. WHY challenges society to confront these problems by
advancing models that create self-reliance, economic justice, and equal
access to nutritious and affordable food. Annually, 25 million Americans
rely on soup kitchens, food pantries, and food banks for food for
themselves and their families. WHY is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit that
envisions a world without hunger or poverty. WHY believes solutions to
hunger and poverty can be found at the grassroots level through programs
and policies that promote self-reliance, economic justice, and community
food security. For more information, visit: www.WHYHunger.org.
About Cherry Hill Photo
Cherry Hill Photo is an industry leader in Holiday photos. Their
authentic Santas have created magical experiences and cherished family
photos for almost 50 years. Cherry Hill Photo serves 360 premier
shopping centers worldwide.
About CBL & Associates Properties, Inc.
CBL is one of the largest and most active owners and developers of malls
and shopping centers in the United States. CBL owns, holds interests in
or manages 162 properties, including 88 regional malls/open-air centers.
The properties are located in 27 states and total 87.4 million square
feet including 3.0 million square feet of non-owned shopping centers
managed for third parties. CBL currently has two projects under
construction totaling 900,000 square feet including Settlers Ridge in
Pittsburgh, PA and The Pavilion at Port Orange in Port Orange, FL.
Headquartered in Chattanooga, TN, CBL has regional offices in Boston
(Waltham), MA, Dallas (Irving), TX, and St. Louis, MO. Additional
information can be found at cblproperties.com.
Source: CBL & Associates Properties, Inc.
Contact: CBL & Associates Properties, Inc.
Barb Faucette, 423-490-8637
Vice President - Corporate Mall Marketing
barb_faucette@cblproperties.com