Bruegger's Bagels announced that it will donate nearly $125,000 to Share Our Strength's Dine Out For No Kid Hungry campaign, as a result of a month-long fundraising drive on the brand's Facebook page and through coupon book sales in the company's 300-plus bakeries across the U.S.
Bruegger's customers clicked and couponed in record numbers this year, allowing the bagel bakery to meet its aggressive fundraising goal - quadruple the amount raised in 2011.
"Bruegger's employees and its guests pulled out all the stops this year in the fight against childhood hunger," said Jim Vinz, co-CEO of Le Duff America, Bruegger's parent company, and chairman of the Dine Out For No Kid Hungry Advisory Board. "Their tremendous efforts will help Share Our Strength provide relief for the 16.6 million children in this country who are at risk of hunger, and help ensure that every child in the U.S. gets the food they need."
As part of its campaign, Bruegger's sold coupon books for $3 apiece, with each purchase helping connect a child with up to 30 nutritious meals. Guests in turn received coupons for approximately $20 worth of free bagels, soups or sandwiches (some with purchase). In addition, Bruegger's donated $1 for each new "like" on its Facebook page for No Kid Hungry. The funds raised will help connect needy kids to effective nutrition programs, including School Breakfast, Summer and Afterschool Meal Programs, and educate kids and their families on how to cook healthy, affordable meals.
Dine Out For No Kid Hungry is part of a month-long hunger awareness campaign by Share Our Strength and other hunger-relief organizations. In its fifth year, the campaign attracted more than 8,200 restaurants this year, the most in its history.