North Carolina Retailers And NCRMA Give $200,000 Worth Of Donations To Fight Hunger

RALEIGH, NC, February 09, 2013 (Press-News.org) The North Carolina Retail Merchants Association (NCRMA) (http://www.ncrma.org/), a nonprofit trade association, has announced that major North Carolina retailers and the association have given $200,000 in cash, gift cards and in-kind donations to the North Carolina Association of Feeding America Food Banks in an effort to help aid hunger relief across the state.

North Carolina retailers donated several truckloads of food, including BI-LO/C&S Wholesale, CVS Caremark, Harris Teeter, JR Discount, Lowes Foods Stores, McDonald's, Rite Aid, Sheetz, Walgreens, Walmart and Yum! Brands. Examples of in-kind products that were donated include cereal, canned goods, peanut butter, rice, and paper and hygiene products. McDonald's contributed 1,000 gift cards for Egg McMuffins and smoothies, and Yum! Bands, Inc. donated $1,000 worth of gift cards to KFC. CFRA, LCC, a North Carolina franchisee of IHOP restaurants, donated $2,500 worth of gift cards. In addition, Mid South Bells, LLC and Mid Atlantic Pizza, LLC, which are North Carolina franchisees of Taco Bell and Pizza Hut, each donated $1,000 worth of gift cards.

The presentation to the North Carolina Association of Feeding America was made on Feb. 6 at a press conference held in the North Carolina Legislative Building. NCRMA President Andy Ellen, presented Alan Briggs, executive director of the N.C. Association of Feeding America Food Banks, with a cash contribution from the NCRMA of $50,000. CVS Caremark provided $6,000 to the Food Banks in honor of this event and Walmart gave $25,000 to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina at the end of 2012 to buy a new truck.

Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger (R-Rockingham), continuing the tradition that began in 1995, attended and spoke at the press conference. Other speakers included House Speaker Thom Tillis (R-Mecklenburg) and Alan Briggs.

NCRMA members encourage others to donate to Feeding America online at http://www.ncfoodbanks.org.

QUOTES:
"North Carolina ranks in the ten worst for the percentage of children under 18 who are lacking food on a regular basis," said Andy Ellen, NCRMA's president and general counsel. "Our members work with local food banks throughout the year to help combat food insecurity in a variety of ways, and it is critical that we do whatever we can to raise awareness of this important issue facing North Carolina. We are proud to support food banks across the state and hope that everyone will do whatever they can to buy a few extra canned goods when they grocery shop and contribute their time to volunteer across the state."

ABOUT NCRMA:
The North Carolina Retail Merchants Association (NCRMA), a nonprofit trade association, was organized in 1902 to improve the business climate for retailers in North Carolina. Now, more than 100 years later, NCRMA is the voice of the retail industry in North Carolina. NCRMA represents the interests of individual merchants before the General Assembly and serves as a vital link to state government. Its credibility lies in its longevity and commitment to serving the ever-changing needs of its members. The Association's membership includes more than 25,000 stores from across the state whose businesses represent 75 percent of North Carolina's retail sales volume. NCRMA serves both large and small retailers from multi-state chains to local "Mom and Pops," and all types of merchants including antique, apparel, art, automotive, book, carpet, department, drug, electronics, floral, furniture, grocery, hardware, jewelry, paint and variety stores. For more information, visit http://www.ncrma.org/.

Jordan Smith
MMI Public Relations
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