SONY PICTURES ANIMATION’S “CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2” FEEDS AMERICA WITH THE HELP OF SOME OF THE NATION’S LEADING PRODUCE COMPANIES TO SUPPORT HUNGER ACTION MONTH WITH OVER 200,000 POUNDS OF DONATED PRODUCE
CHICAGO, September 9, 2013 – A star-studded group of cast and characters from Sony Pictures Animation’s Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 took part in a food packing event today at the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank to help kick-off Hunger Action Month, Feeding America’s month long effort to raise awareness of the 49 million people who struggle with hunger in the US.
The event, along with other Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 food packing events held today in Boston, Detroit, Phoenix and Atlanta, are part of a collaboration between Sony Pictures Animation and some of the nation’s leading produce companies to support Hunger Action Month. Together, the produce promotional partners – California Giant Berry Farms, Cal-Organic Farms, Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Grimmway Farms and the National Watermelon Promotion Board – along with Sprouts Farmers Market will provide more than 200,000 pounds of fresh produce to children and families in need across the country through these packing events.
“We had such a great experience with Sony Pictures Animation on the first Cloudy film – not only was it a wonderful opportunity to tie in thematically with a movie, but it was also incredibly successful. We are delighted to re-team in an even bigger way,” said Leah Ray, VP of Corporate Partnerships at Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger relief organization. “With 49 million in the US – including nearly 16 million children – at risk of hunger, the fight for hunger-relief continues. This campaign is a great platform for us to spread the word about Hunger Action Month and put more healthy produce on tables across the nation.”
At the flagship event in Los Angeles, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 stars Bill Hader, Anna Faris and Will Forte helped spread the word about Hunger Action Month. The donated fruits and vegetables will be distributed to local agencies – such as shelters, pantries and schools – and will help put more fresh produces on tables across the country.
George Leon, Executive Vice President, Global Consumer Marketing, said, “With September being Hunger Action Month, we really wanted to find a way to make a difference and use food to do that. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 is a fun adventure film, but ultimately, it’s about an inventor trying to make the world a better place through food. That’s why we’re thrilled by this kickoff event – it’s a great way for us to give back and to tie the message of our movie into a wonderful charitable effort.”
Consumers will also have the chance to get involved as well, as the studio is teaming up with a variety of promotional partners in promoting healthy eating and helping those who are food insecure. The studio is teaming up with eBay Giving Works! to feature one-of-a-kind charity auction items and experiences tied to the release of “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2”. Among the charity auction items is a two-night adventure to Los Angeles for the film’s premiere, which includes round trip airfare and hotel along with fare for transportation to and from the premiere event attended by the film’s cast and crew. Bidders also have the chance to win a private screening with up to 50 friends and family members in a hometown or nearby theater, as well as original concept art autographed by actors Anna Faris and Bill Hader. Shoppers also have the opportunity to support Feeding America’s Hunger Action Month directly by donating a dollar at checkout on eBay.
As part of the promotion with the produce promotional partners, specially marked packages of participating produce from these growers in supermarkets across the country will be tagged with Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 artwork and a QR code that will link consumers to Cloudy2win.com. There, consumers can find useful information – including recipes, information about the film and about how they can help by making a donation to Feeding America.
In addition, each purchase of specially marked packages of participating produce will give consumers a gift of a 3D movie upgrade (up to a US$3.00 value), downloadable coloring pages, downloadable screen savers, or a promo code for two 8” x 10” prints from Shutterfly.
Sprouts Farmers Market will support the campaign and Hunger Action Month in-stores. Customers will have the opportunity to donate at checkout, as well as online. Associates will also wear orange – the color of hunger – to show their support in the fight to end hunger. The public can also learn about the issue of hunger and how they can make a difference by watching the Public Service Announcement made possible by the Ad Council. The film hits theaters September 27th.
About Feeding America
Feeding America is a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks that leads the fight against hunger in the United States. Together, we provide food to more than 37 million people through 61,000 food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters in communities across America. Feeding America also supports programs that improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Individuals, charities, businesses and government all have a role in ending hunger. Donate. Volunteer. Advocate. Educate. Together we can solve hunger.
Visit http://www.feedingamerica.org/ or www.facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FeedingAmerica.
Press release provided by Sony and Moroch.