The Pampered Chef, LTD. Invites you to Help Fight Hunger

"Round-Up from the Heart" is a National Hunger Campaign with a Local Impact

Sacramento, CA - According to a national hunger study conducted by America's Second Harvest, food assistance is provided to 23.3 million people or 1 in 12 Americans each year. As part of an ongoing effort to fight hunger, The Pampered Chef, Ltd. has partnered with America's Second Harvest, the nation's largest hunger-relief charity, for its 12th annual "Round-Up from the Heart" campaign.

"The purpose of the 'Round-Up from the Heart' campaign is twofold. First, it raises money for the more than 200 food banks and food rescue affiliates of America's Second Harvest, and second it raises awareness that hunger exists in every community in the United States," said Julie Christopher, Manager, Corporate and Consumer Relations. "The ultimate goal of the campaign is to set a place at the table for everyone."

The Pampered Chef's nationwide sales field of more than 64,000 independent Kitchen Consultants promotes the "Round-Up from the Heart" campaign during in-home cooking demonstrations from September 1, 2002 through February 28, 2003. Customers can contribute to the campaign by rounding up their purchase totals to the nearest dollar or more. All funds are then sent to America's Second Harvest food banks in the region where the donations originate, making "Round-Up from the Heart" a national program with a local impact.

Customers are also invited to purchase a special collector's cookie mold. This year's Peace on Earth Heart Cookie Mold features two doves holding olive branches - symbolizing peace and harmony around the world. For each mold purchased, The Pampered Chef will donate $1 to the national office of America's Second Harvest. More than 148,000 cookie molds were sold during the 2001-2002 campaign. The company also contributes the administrative costs of the program, which includes salaries and supplies.

"The recent economic downturn has led to more and more Americans struggling to feed their families," said Robert Forney, President and CEO, America's Second Harvest. "Nearly 80 percent of our food banks have seen an increase in the number of people requesting help. We are grateful for programs like 'Round-Up from the Heart' that help in the fight against hunger."

Thanks to the efforts of 64,000 Independent Kitchen Consultants and millions of customers, more than $1 million was raised through the "Round-Up from the Heart" program last year. More than $6 million has been donated since the campaign's inception.
For more information, contact Andrea Hightower at (916) 921-9886.