Twenty Hometowns Receive a “Helping Hand” from Hamburger Helper in a National Effort to Improve Local Communities
“My Hometown Helper” Awards More Than $100,000 in Grants
11/13/2007
Today, Hamburger Helper announces that 20 hometowns across the nation have been chosen to receive a combined $100,045 in grants from the 2007 “My Hometown Helper” grant program, a nationwide initiative that helps local groups make a difference in their own community. The winning projects were chosen from a pool of 8,271 entries submitted between August 1 and September 30, 2007 and can be viewed online at www.MyHometownHelper.com.
“It’s an honor to help local groups who are taking the initiative to improve their hometowns,” said Hyun Mee Graves, brand manager. “My Hometown Helper is making it easier for them to continue the great work that they are already doing, and we’re proud to be a part of the difference they are making in their communities.”
The fall 2007 communities receiving a grant from “My Hometown Helper” are:
| Project description | Hometown, State | |
| Outdoor tornado warning system | Jay America, OK | |
| Playground equipment for Altus public schools | Altus, OK | |
| Boots for Fire Fighters | Barney, ND | |
| Materials for History Walk Mural Project, Ponderosa Elementary | Post Falls, ID | |
| Playground for Dundee Elementary | Dundee, FL | |
| New gymnasium floor for West Rutland School | West Rutland, VT | |
| Park fence installation for children’s park | Roscoe, PA | |
| Play structure for Star of the Sea School | San Francisco, CA | |
| Daniel’s Den playground installation | Lancaster, PA | |
| Installation of public drinking fountains | Brownwood TX | |
| Swimming Pool Cover for McCracken Community | McCracken, KS | |
| “Old Betsy” Fire Engine Restoration for Wayne Fire Department | Wayne MI | |
| New deck for the Old Fishing Hole | Patterson, NC | |
| Band instruments for students | Dongola, IL | |
| “Fountain City” town fountain restoration | Bryan, OH | |
| Repair damaged baseball fields | Hockstown, PA | |
| Police radio communication units for Arena Police Department | Arena, WI | |
| Gazebo construction for park | Baltimore, MD | |
| Revitalize Mill Pond Park | Washburn, ME | |
| New piano for Chesapeake High School’s choral students | Pasadena, MD |
Beginning February 1st, 2008, the grant program will open up to a second wave of project submissions. As in previous entry cycles, hometowns looking for a “helping hand” to improve their community—whether by building a new playground, funding new band uniforms or expanding town sidewalks—will apply online at www.MyHometownHelper.com for a one-time grant to help fund their project. Award amounts will range from $500 to $15,000 and all requests for funding must be sponsored by a charitable organization, municipal or civic organization or a public school. Funds will be awarded based on the merit of the project, including its impact on, and support within, the community.
In 2006, “My Hometown Helper” gave away more than $100,000 in grants and helped communities install lights for a football field, clean up a local river and purchase ambulance equipment, among other great projects. General Mills has a long history of investing in its communities. In fiscal 2007, General Mills awarded more than $80 million to communities across the country.
For more information on the “My Hometown Helper” grant program and a complete set of rules, visit www.myHometownHelper.com.
About Hamburger Helper
Hamburger Helper has been a meal favorite for busy families since it was introduced more than three decades ago — providing an easy, delicious one-skillet solution to the question, “What’s for dinner?” Today, the Helper line has expanded to include Chicken Helper and Tuna Helper. There are more than 40 Helper flavors.
About General Mills
General Mills, with annual net sales of $13.4 billion, is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of consumer foods products. Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, General Mills’ mission is to innovate to make people’s lives healthier, easier, and richer around the world. Its global brand portfolio includes Yoplait, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Häagen-Dazs, Nature Valley, Old El Paso and more. It also has more than 100 U.S. consumer brands, more than 30 of which generate annual retail sales in excess of $100 million. General Mills also is a leading supplier of baking and other food products to the foodservice and commercial baking industries.
For More Information, Contact:
David Witt
General Mills
763-764-2487
david.witt@genmills.com
Jordan Salvatoriello
Cone, Inc.
617-939-8307
jsal@coneinc.com
