General Mills has announced the launch of its third annual Outnumber Hunger campaign, which has provided more than 25 million meals to Americans in need as part of a partnership with Feeding America and Big Machine Label Group.
Each year a talented roster of popular music artists join the initiative to raise awareness for the hunger issue, which affects 49 million Americas, according to the USDA. The Outnumber Hunger campaign officially kicks off today with country sensation Florida Georgia Line as the face of the 2014 campaign.
“Through our experiences with Outnumber Hunger, we have learned the far reach of hunger in America, affecting people from all different backgrounds,” said Tyler Hubbard, the Georgia half of Florida Georgia Line. “This year, we’re proud to take an even bigger role in the fight against hunger and rally the nation to help those in need.”
Florida Georgia Line and additional Big Machine Label Group artists will be featured on boxes for more than 90 popular General Mills’ products, from Cheerios and Betty Crocker to Yoplait and Nature Valley. By entering a code from these specially marked boxes online, Americans can help Feeding America secure five meals on behalf of a local food bank based upon the ZIP code entered.
“Our artists are proud to raise their voices with General Mills and Feeding America to highlight the troubling hunger issues that so many Americans face day-to-day,” said Scott Borchetta, president and CEO of Big Machine Label Group. “This powerful group of partners is using its collective voice to rally Americans and help the 49 million people across our country who struggle with hunger.”
For every code entered by Jan. 31, 2015 at outnumberhunger.com, General Mills will donate 55.5 cents to Feeding America, with a maximum total donation of $1.2 million. General Mills has already donated $600,000 and will donate up to an additional $600,000 based on online code entry.
Outnumber Hunger’s 2014 campaign is marked with a special live concert on Friday, April 4, at The LINQ in Las Vegas, featuring reigning ACM New Artist of the Year Florida Georgia Line, Superstar group Rascal Flatts, ACM New Artist nominee Justin Moore and hot newcomers Thomas Rhett, The Cadillac Three, Cassadee Pope and Danielle Bradbery. Outnumber Hunger Live! is part of The Academy of Country Music’s ACM EXPERIENCE, a three-day music event leading up to the 49th Annual ACM Awards on April 6. Concert attendees will have the opportunity to help Feeding America secure meals through special on-site activities.
“Innovative programs like Outnumber Hunger help us provide critical support nationwide to our neighbors and community members, in our work to solve hunger in America,” said Bob Aiken, CEO of Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief organization.
Outnumber Hunger comes as part of a more than 30-year relationship between General Mills and Feeding America’s network of food banks.
“For us, the decision to confront the hunger epidemic in America is a simple one,” said Cheryl Welch, director, Outnumber Hunger at General Mills. “As a leading food company in the United States, we feel a responsibility to help address the issue and give people an easy way to support the one in six Americans struggling with hunger.”
