The Green Bay Packers and Sargento raised a total of $100,500 during the 2012 season for the "Touchdowns for Charity" program to benefit the Wisconsin Hunger Task Force in Milwaukee County and Paul's Pantry in Green Bay.
During the regular season, Sargento donated $1,000 to the Wisconsin Hunger Task Force and $500 to Paul's Pantry for each touchdown scored. The program raised $53,000 for the Hunger Task Force and $26,500 for Paul's Pantry (on 53 TDs). Sargento then raised the stakes in the postseason by doubling the touchdown contributions, resulting in an additional $21,000 donation (on seven TDs) toward fighting hunger in Wisconsin.
In total, Sargento donated $67,000 to the Wisconsin Hunger Task Force and $33,500 to Paul's Pantry during the regular and postseason.
"For 10 years, we've maintained a steadfast commitment to helping the needy in our community with Touchdowns for Charity," said Louie Gentine, president and chief customer officer at Sargento. "We are thrilled with the strong donation totals and are excited to cheer on the Green and Gold to another explosive season."
2012 marked the 10th anniversary of the program. Since partnering ten years ago, Sargento – the official cheese of the Green Bay Packers and Lambeau Field – has contributed $920,500 to the two Wisconsin food charities.
Sargento, a family-owned, Wisconsin-based company, supported the Packers sponsorship throughout Wisconsin grocery retailers during the season with in-store product promotions to generate excitement with Packers fans. Sargento was also present at Lambeau in concessions with cheeseburgers featuring Sargento Deli Style Mild Cheddar cheese and breaded cheese curds featuring natural Cheddar cheese.
About Sargento
Sargento Foods Inc. has demonstrated its passion for cheese for the past 60 years. Founded in 1953 in Plymouth, Sargento is a leading manufacturer, packager and marketer of natural shredded, sliced and snack cheeses, cheese appetizers, ingredients, sauces and other culinary solutions. Sargento is owned and operated by the Gentine family, and has net sales of more than $1 billion. For more information, please visit www.sargento.com.
About Hunger Task Force
A United Way agency, the Hunger Task Force is the only major food bank in Milwaukee County that provides all of its food to area pantries free of charge. The agency believes that every person has the right to adequate food obtained with dignity, and works to prevent and alleviate hunger and malnutrition by providing food to people in need today and by promoting social policies to achieve food security tomorrow.
About Paul's Pantry
Since 1984, Paul's Pantry has distributed more than 80 million pounds of food to the needy of Brown County. Paul's Pantry was one of the first food pantries to seek available surplus food from the marketplace and relies entirely on the community for its donations. Its goal is to provide a family with enough food every week for as long as needed, so that they may use their food dollars to avoid homelessness.
