Kohl's Donation Supports New Hunger Task Force MyPlate Program

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Kohl's KSS announced a donation of $750,000 to support the new Hunger Task Force MyPlate initiative, a healthy eating guide influenced by the USDA MyPlate food model. The program raises the awareness of incorporating all five food groups and encourages the public to be conscious of how their food donations impact healthy eating. Hunger Task Force has adopted this new food bank model to set higher standards for food donations.

"Kohl's is proud to partner with Hunger Task Force to support the MyPlate model, which encourages the donation and consumption of healthy foods for deserving families," said Jen Johnson, Kohl's vice president of communications. "It's a smart, simple approach that has a healthy impact on our community."

The majority of Kohl's funding will purchase nearly 700,000 pounds of food in 2017, including boxes of 1% dairy milk, cans of low-sodium green beans, bags of whole grain brown rice, naturally sweet canned pears and peaches in 100% juice, and pinto beans packed with plant-based protein. This purchased food will offset the substantial cost of supplying the Hunger Task Force network with the healthy, nutritious foods needed to stock MyPlate-certified pantries.

"Hunger Task Force is the first food bank in the country to operate under a healthy food model – the first MyPlate food bank," said Sherrie Tussler, Hunger Task Force executive director. "We have set the standard on the importance of serving healthy food to the community, and this generous support from Kohl's will help ensure we can provide nutritious foods to hungry Milwaukee families."

Several food pantries within the Hunger Task Force network, including the Riverwest Food Pantry and Ebenezer Food Pantry and Clinic, are already operating under Hunger Task Force MyPlate guidelines. Hunger Task Force will be working with all of its network sites to implement the MyPlate model.

Kohl's funding will also continue to support summer supper purchases. From June through August, the federal Summer Food Service Program provides mostly breakfast and lunch at summer meal sites, meaning many hungry children do not have access to healthy suppers. Hunger Task Force will direct Kohl's funding to purchase nearly 65,000 summer suppers, ensuring that Milwaukee children in need who do not attend daycare or elementary school can receive three meals a day.

The donation is made possible through Kohl's philanthropic program, Kohl's Cares®, which sells children's books and toys and donates 100 percent of the net profit to benefit children's initiatives. More information about the Hunger Task Force MyPlate model is available here.

About Kohl's

Kohl's KSS is a leading specialty department store with more than 1,100 stores in 49 states. With a commitment to inspiring and empowering families to lead fulfilled lives, the company offers amazing national and exclusive brands, incredible savings and inspiring shopping experiences in-store, online at Kohls.com and via mobile devices. Committed to its communities, Kohl's has raised nearly $300 million for children's initiatives nationwide through its Kohl's Cares® cause merchandise program, which operates under Kohl's Cares, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kohl's Department Stores, Inc. For additional information about Kohl's philanthropic and environmental initiatives, visit http://www.Kohls.com/Cares. For a list of store locations and information, or for the added convenience of shopping online, visit www.Kohls.com.

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About Hunger Task Force

Hunger Task Force believes that every person has a right to adequate food obtained with dignity. Hunger Task Force works to prevent hunger and malnutrition by providing food to people in need today and by promoting social policies to achieve a hunger free community tomorrow.

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