World-Renowned Chefs and NFL Greats Tackle Nationwide Hunger
Taste of the NFL XV Heads to Detroit for Super Bowl XL
DETROIT – January 19, 2006 – As a result of recent natural disasters, food banks around the country have experienced unprecedented requests this year to help provide hunger relief. For the 15th year, Taste of the NFL will be doing its part to help aid with this effort by raising much-needed funds as part of Super Bowl XL festivities. Many of the country’s finest chefs will team up with NFL gridiron greats for the annual Taste of the NFL (TNFL) to help raise funds and awareness for hunger relief organizations. The event takes place Saturday, Feb. 4, 2006, at the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi, Mich.
Taste of the NFL is consistently Super Bowl weekend’s largest fundraiser. The recipe for success combines a top chef representing each of the 32 NFL teams with an alumnus or current NFL player to serve up a signature dish, sign autographs and mingle with the crowd of more than 3,000 guests. Since its founding in 1992, Taste of the NFL has raised more than $5.7 million for America’s Second Harvest –The Nation’s Food Bank Network and other hunger-related charities. It has become one of the premier events of Super Bowl weekend.
Also known as The Party With A Purpose® , the event raises money for hunger-relief charities that provide food and groceries products to millions of Americans at risk of hunger. Funds raised are distributed to food bank members of America’s Second Harvest in each NFL city, as well as other hunger-relief agencies.
Recent hunger statistics state that more than 11 percent of American households do not have access to enough food throughout the year to maintain an active, healthy life for all household members. One in eight children in the United States goes to bed hungry every night. For more specifics about hunger in America, visit www.secondharvest.org.
“Hunger in America is at a critical point this year,” said Wayne Kostroski, Taste of the NFL founder and executive director. “The devastation from recent hurricanes has brought the need into the spotlight. We have a huge opportunity to help raise awareness about hunger needs nationwide, while raising funds to help all those in need.”
“The Taste of the NFL is a valuable supporter of America’s Second Harvest. During the past 15 years this annual party has made significant contributions to our Network,” said Robert Forney, president and CEO of America’s Second Harvest. “The funds raised have enabled us to provide food and groceries to literally millions of the clients we serve.”
In addition to the national event, 12 NFL cities raised additional funds for their community this year by hosting a local TNFL celebrity dinner. Steady growth of the event at both the local and national level has helped TNFL achieve its mission of raising both dollars and awareness in the battle against hunger.
“The support of our many volunteers and sponsors has provided us the opportunity to make significant contributions to help fight hunger,” Kostroski said. “Hunger relief organizations benefit greatly from the generosity of some of the best corporate partners in America.”
Sponsors for Taste of the NFL XV include: Gallo of Sonoma, Xbox 360™ , Alouette/Chavrie Cheese, ConAgra Foods, Inc., SÏKU Vodka, Ecolab, Rock Financial and WXYZ-TV (ABC).
In addition to national event ticket sales, auction proceeds and sponsorships, funds also are raised through the sale of the Taste of the NFL Restaurant Guide, featuring recipes of the dishes served and biographies of the participating players and chefs.
Tickets to Taste of the NFL and copies of the 2006 Restaurant Guide can be purchased by calling 952.835.7621. Individual tickets are available for $400, early entry VIP tickets are $600, and corporate tables with VIP amenities are $6,000. The restaurant guide is available for $19.95. For more information on Taste of the NFL, visit the Web site at www.tasteofthenfl.com.
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EDITOR’S NOTE:
Hi-res color photography, logos, profiles of participating chefs and players, and recipes are available to the media at www.tasteofthenfl.com/pressroom.
If you are interested in interviews with Wayne Kostroski, participating chefs or players, please contact Jennifer Walker (x4443) or Rita Klein (x4454) at 216.696.1686.
To interview Robert Forney, please contact Ross Fraser at 312.641.6422.
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America's Second Harvest -- The Nation's Food Bank Network is the nation's largest charitable hunger-relief organization with a Network of more than 200 regional member food banks and food - rescue programs serving all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The America's Second Harvest Network secures and distributes nearly two billion pounds of donated food and grocery products annually. The America's Second Harvest Network supports approximately 50,000 local charitable agencies operating more than 94,000 programs including food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, after-school programs, and Kids Cafes. Last year, the America's Second Harvest Network provided food assistance to more than 23 million low-income hungry people in the United States, including more than nine million children and nearly three million seniors. For more on America's Second Harvest, please visit www.secondharvest.org.
