Partners Sharing Their Strengths

American Express

American Express Company is a leading global payments, network and travel company founded in 1850. Giving back is a core value of American Express and being a good citizen is a hallmark of the brand. American Express was the first company to launch a cause-related marketing campaign, which was a program benefiting the Statue of Liberty in 1983, and the Company has continued to roll out successful initiatives around the world that have supported and enhanced the communities where we live and work.

Over the years, American Express has supported causes that are important to Cardmembers, merchant partners and the general public, from reopening the Statue of Liberty after 9/11 to fighting hunger and preserving historic sites around the world. Through these programs, American Express is providing an outlet for consumers’ desire to do good.

American Express has been a proud partner of Share Our Strength since 1992, when they signed on as the presenting sponsor of Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation. Over the years, they have supported many Share Our Strength programs, and contributed more than $30 million to end childhood hunger. 17 years later, American Express continues to serve as the Official Card of Taste of the Nation. In 2008, American Express again increased their commitment by signing on as the presenting sponsor of Share Our Strength’s Great American Dine Out, a new national campaign that rallies the nation’s entire restaurant industry and encourages consumers to dine out and raise millions of dollars to help Share Our Strength end childhood hunger in America. Learn more about American Express.

The Balvenie

The Balvenie^® single malt Scotch whisky is owned by William Grant & Sons Ltd., an independent, family-owned distillery founded by William Grant in 1886, and today run by his direct descendants. The Balvenie is produced according to the principles of its founder, standing today as one of the only Scottish distilleries that grows and floor-malts its own barley and has its own coopers and coppersmiths to tend its traditional distilling equipment. In an age of mass-produced anonymity, The Balvenie stands true to its traditional, artisanal qualities. The Balvenie is the recipient of 5 gold medals from the prestigious 2007 International Wine and Spirits Competition. To learn more, please go to The Balvenie

The Balvenie is proud to partner with Share Our Strength in efforts to end childhood hunger across America. The Balvenie will host receptions at Share Our Strength’s A Tasteful Pursuit presented by Lexus events in New York, Boston, Chicago, Dallas and Washington, DC, throughout 2008. The Balvenie has commissioned renowned artisan Mark Williams to craft five signed and numbered Valet pieces to be auctioned off during these special evenings to benefit Share Our Strength.

Brown-Forman

Brown-Forman is a diversified producer and marketer of fine quality consumer products. The brands of Brown-Forman have been a part of Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation for many years. In 2002 the company increased their sponsorship to the national level with a commitment to support events in 20 markets. As a spirits sponsor in those markets, the company demonstrates its desire to give back to the communities in which its employees live and work. Over the years, the company has also generated additional revenue through cause-marketing promotions, and has supported Share Our Strength events with product. Since they began sponsoring Taste of the Nation, the events have raised more than $20 million. Learn more about Brown-Forman Corporation

The Capital Grille

The Capital Grille has long participated in Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation events nationwide. In 2007, all of The Capital Grille’s 27 restaurants joined forces in a special six-week systemwide program – the $1,000 Luxury Martini – to raise money for Share Our Strength. Each Luxury Martini came with a piece of LAGOS jewelry, with 100 percent of profits donated to Share Our Strength. From May 4-June 30, The Capital Grille sold 270 Luxury Martinis, generating $135,000 for the fight to end childhood hunger in America. In addition, The Capital Grille has selected Share Our Strength as the charity recipient for select restaurant openings. Learn more about The Capital Grille

Clos Du Bois

Clos du Bois produces some of California’s leading wines from their vineyards in the Alexander Valley of Sonoma County. For the holiday season of 2007, Clos du Bois created a unique way to raise funds for Share Our Strength. Consumers were encouraged via online and retail promotions to download a free song from the Clos du Bois web site. For each song downloaded, Clos du Bois donated $1 to Share Our Strength. Consumers were also prompted to host a holiday event to benefit Share Our Strength with recipes and holiday entertaining tips from top Share Our Strength supporting chefs; Govind Armstrong, David Gilbert, Dewey LoSasso, Tracy Miller, Martial Noguier and Allen Susser. Learn more about Clos du Bois

Domino Sugar and C&H

Presenting sponsor Domino^® Sugar and C&H^® Sugar have been sweetening the lives of Americans across the country for over 100 years with the quality of 100% pure cane sugar. Domino Sugar and C&H’s trusted Granulated, Brown and Confectioners sugars, along with a variety of specialty sugars, are used to bake and sweeten many favorite foods as well as to help create special memories shared with loved ones. Domino Sugar and C&H are now proud to help make a difference in the lives of children facing hunger by partnering with Share Our Strength’s Great American Bake Sale. Learn more about Domino^® Sugar and C&H^®Sugar

Family Circle

As the only family lifestyle magazine, Family Circle connects 22 million readers with what matters most to them: Family, friends and their communities. In celebration of their commitment to bettering the lives of others, Family Circle is proud to partner with Share Our Strength’s Great American Bake Sale to help eradicate childhood hunger in the United States. Check out Family Circle April 1, April 17 and May issues for special bake sales articles! Learn more about Family Circle.

Ferrero USA

The Ferrero Company, one of the world’s largest confectionery companies and a leader in the premium chocolates category, has a vast portfolio of high-quality products including Ferrero Rocher^® chocolates and Ferrero Rondnoir^tm dark chocolates. In fall 2007, as part of an introduction of their new dark chocolate brand, Ferrero Rondnoir dark chocolates, The Ferrero Company partnered with Share Our Strength. The company became the presenting sponsor of SWEET, the kick-off event to Food Network’s New York City Wine & Food Festival coming in 2008. Ferrero’s event presence included an exclusive dark chocolate booth experience for consumers where they were photographed with Food Network star chef Michael Chiarello.

Ferrero also created a special Web site, sharesomethingsweet.com, where consumers could learn more about both companies as well as send a free customized snow globe e-card to their friends and family. A donation was made to Share Our Strength for each snow globe sent. Additionally, Ferrero was featured on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and each audience member received Ferrero chocolates. A donation was made on their behalf to Share Our Strength as well. Learn more about Ferrero Chocolates

Food Arts

Food Arts magazine offers readers the most up to date coverage of hotel and restaurant industry trends and news including the latest and hottest restaurant openings, business-building tips from colleagues, menu and food trends, how-to culinary demos, tabletop and equipment innovations, marketing ideas, and recipes galore. 2008 will mark the 10th annual Food Arts BBQ to benefit Share Our Strength. The BBQ is hosted by Food Arts each May during the National Restaurant Association show in Chicago and features local and national chef talent, as well as many top food and beverage companies. Learn more about Food Arts

Food Network

Food Network is a unique lifestyle network and Web site that strives to be way more than cooking. The network is committed to exploring new and different ways to approach food — through pop culture, competition, adventure and travel — while also expanding its repertoire of technique-based information. It is distributed to more than 90 million U.S. households and averages more than seven million Web site users monthly. Food Network is pleased to partner with Share Our Strength, the network’s exclusive charity of choice. The network’s goal is to be the national voice for Share Our Strength, bringing their message of "No Kid Hungry" home to its millions of viewers. Food Network supports all major Share Our Strength platforms through awareness-raising events, public service announcements with its popular chefs, on-the-ground employee volunteers and more. Learn more about Food Network.

illy caffè

In 1999, illy caffè North America, Inc. joined Share Our Strength as a sponsor of Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation in select markets. After sponsoring Taste of the Nation for eight years, illy created a cause-marketing promotion called Cup of Kindness to generate additional revenue for Share Our Strength, and specifically support Share Our Strength’s international efforts to fight hunger and poverty. illy continues to run the Cup of Kindness program, most recently hosting a gourmet dinner and live auction to benefit Share Our Strength’s partner organizations in Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee and a source of illy’s premier coffee beans. Learn more about illy.

Kashi

Kashi is a company on a mission to redefine how people eat to achieve their best lives. In 2006, they began supporting Share Our Strength as the featured charity of their Day of Change tour, a cross-country campaign designed to help inspire people to make healthy changes in their lives. In several cities, the events feature Operation Frontline chefs demonstrating healthy recipes. In 2007, Kashi increased their support by using their sponsorship tags on National Public Radio to promote Operation Frontline. Kashi expanded its promotion of Operation Frontline in February of 2008 with public service announcements on Food Network. Learn more about Kashi.

Lexus

Lexus celebrates Share Our Strength’s priority to end childhood hunger. As Presenting Sponsor of Share Our Strength’s A Tasteful Pursuit® dinner series, Lexus will help bring together the finest of the nation’s culinary community to raise much-needed funds for Share Our Strength and help spread the organization’s message. Lexus shares the same passion for bringing this critical issue to the forefront and looks forward to supporting Share Our Strength in its work. Lexus »

Macy’s

Macy’s has a number of culinary initiatives that impact the way customers shop, cook and eat at home including the Macy’s Culinary Council, a national culinary authority comprising 16 of the nation’s top chefs. The council includes culinary masters Govind Armstrong, Rick Bayless, Elizabeth Brown, Cat Cora, Tom Douglas, Todd English, Tyler Florence, Gale Gand, Dave Lieberman, Wolfgang Puck, Andrea Robinson, Marcus Samuelsson, Nancy Silverton, Tim Scott, Ming Tsai and Takashi Yagihashi. In fall 2007, the Council made its national cookbook debut with Great Gatherings: Star Chefs Entertain at Home. Macy’s is proud to partner with Share Our Strength on this project. For every copy of Great Gatherings sold, Macy’s donates one dollar to Share Our Strength. Learn more about Macy’s

The National Pork Board:

The National Pork Board represents America’s more than 70,000 pork producers. In January 2008, they announced a partnership to help Share Our Strength ensure that no kid grows up hungry, with a commitment to sponsor Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation in six markets. As the official protein sponsor in select markets, they support the events through media relations efforts and on-site participation, showcasing trend-setting recipes and a variety of pork products. Learn more about the National Pork Board.

Nestlé FoodServices

Nestlé FoodServices North America brings quality food and beverage products, well-known brands, and creative business solutions to the foodservice industry in the U.S. and Canada. Products range from innovative beverage dispensing systems to on-trend culinary items that meet the needs of foodservice operators while satisfying the tastes of the out-of-home consumer. In fall 2007, Nestlé FoodServices offered a special rebate on qualifying products so customers could buy great food for their operations and help feed hungry children at the same time! By donating their rebate to Share Our Strength, participants in the Nestlé FoodServices Good Food Good Cause campaign were entered to win a trip to the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, one of the premier events in the food world which brings together the country’s top chefs, winemakers and culinary experts. Learn more about Nestlé FoodServices

Restaurant.com

Restaurant.com has supported Share Our Strength’s efforts to ensure that no kid grows up hungry since 2004. Restaurant.com dining certificates allow consumers to choose from thousands of great restaurants nationwide. When consumers buy certificates through links on Strength.org, 50% of the purchase price benefits Share Our Strength. In addition, Restaurant.com supports Share Our Strength events with auction and raffle packages. Learn more about Restaurant.com.

S.Pellegrino Sparkling Natural Mineral Water

S.Pellegrino^® Sparkling Natural Mineral Water and Share Our Strength first joined together in the fight to end childhood hunger in 2001 with the S.PellegrinoTM Dine Out, a restaurant week program benefiting Share Our Strength. Since then, the partnership has evolved to include sponsorship of Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation in select markets and the Almost Famous Chef Competition Recipe Book, with royalties benefiting Share Our Strength. The partnership visibly demonstrates the company’s desire to give back to local communities and to end childhood hunger in America. Learn more about S.Pellegrino Sparkling Natural Mineral Water.

SYSCO Corporation

SYSCO Corporation is North America’s largest foodservice marketer and distributor. In 2002, they began a long-term multi-million-dollar commitment to Share Our Strength as the official foodservice marketer and distributor of Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation. With a long history of contributing to the food needs of the areas the company serves, the sponsorship allowed the company to intensify their impact. Since then, SYSCO Corporation and its Operating Companies throughout the country have continued to be actively involved by providing donations and volunteer support and have aided Taste of the Nation in raising more than $20 million in the last seven years. Learn more about SYSCO.

Timberland

Timberland is a global leader in the design, engineering and marketing of premium-quality footwear, apparel and accessories for consumers who value the outdoors and their time in it. Timberland’s dedication to making quality products is matched by the company’s commitment to forging powerful partnerships among employees, consumers and service partners to transform the communities in which they live and work. Since 1996, Share Our Strength and Timberland have partnered on a variety of product promotions and marketing campaigns to highlight the issue of childhood hunger and drive revenue to Share Our Strength. Timberland also sponsors local Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation events, Share Our Strength’s Operation Frontline fundraisers and Share Our Strength community service outings. Learn more about Timberland.

Tyson Foods

Tyson Foods first partnered with Share Our Strength in 2000, as the national sponsor of Share Our Strength’s Operation Frontline. Working together with Share Our Strength, Tyson Foods has donated more than 41 million pounds of protein foods to food banks and disaster-relief organizations across the nation. Tyson Foods also raises funds and awareness for the fight against childhood hunger through the company’s Powering the Spirit Campaign, a program that includes cooking and grilling events across the country and a Tyson Foods cookbook that benefits Share Our Strength. 100 percent of the proceeds from the campaign are granted out in Tyson communities and in support of Share Our Strength’s efforts to end childhood hunger. Learn more about Tyson Foods.

WineStyles

WineStyles is a national franchise demystifying the wine shopping experience by organizing its wine by color and style, instead of by varietals or regions. In 2007, WineStyles and Share Our Strength launched a cause marketing partnership that generates revenue and brand awareness for Share Our Strength through sponsorship, product promotions, and event-based fundraising. As WineStyles’ official national charity, Share Our Strength receives a percentage of proceeds from the sale of select wines, wine baskets and Share Our Strength Wine Club memberships. Learn more about WineStyles.

Zwilling J.A. Henckels

Zwilling J.A. Henckels is the world’s most decorated brand of cutlery and fine kitchenware, with a passion for the best since 1731. Share Our Strength and J.A. Henckels first joined together in the fight to end childhood hunger in 2001, with a promotion where $5 from the sale of the eight-piece TWIN Stainless Steel Steak Set benefited Share Our Strength. The promotion raised more than $100,000 in its first year. Today, J.A. Henckels contributes $2 from the sale of each set sold and also features three other products that benefit Share Our Strength. J.A. Henckels sells the product year-round, and does not place a cap on their contribution. In addition, J.A. Henckels has provided support as the presenting sponsor for Share Our Strength’s Cutting Edge Students, a program designed to engage future culinary professionals in their community and the fight to end childhood hunger. They also contribute products to Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nations events and Share Our Strength’s Chefs on Bikes. Since the beginning of the partnership, J.A. Henckels has contributed close to $600,000 to Share Our Strength’s efforts. Learn more about J.A. Henckels.