Marie Callender’s, a frozen food brand of Omaha, Nebraska, USA-headquartered ConAgra Foods, has launched the Comforts from Home Project, a program described as “dedicated to bringing the heartwarming feelings, flavors and favorites of home to those who miss it most.”
In its inaugural year, the campaign will deliver the comforts of home to those who protect America’s homes every day: the men and women in uniform serving in the US military. In partnership with the United Service Organizations (USO), the integrated effort features an on-pack promotion that encourages consumers to support USO2GO, a USO program that provides kits filled with electronics, sports gear, books, games and more to troops stationed in remote locations around the world.
From now through January 31, 2015, every time shoppers buy one of the more than 51 million specially-marked Marie Callender’s meals or desserts from their grocer’s freezer case, they’re invited to support US troops by entering an eight-digit code from the package online at www.ComfortsFromHome.com. Each code entered online equals a $0.50 donation to the USO2GO program. Kits are designed to help soldiers transform a remote base into a place where troops can organize a pick-up football game, relax in comfortable chairs to swap stories, or send e-mails to loved ones back home.
“Marie Callender’s is all about creating homemade meals and desserts that encourage families to slow down and savor the moment. With our premium ingredients and made-from-scratch special touches, we offer family favorites that often remind people of home and the comfort it can bring,” said Chris Brocky, vice president and general manager at ConAgra Foods.
In addition to the on-pack promotion, the Project will deliver the comforts of home to troops stationed in Germany and pay special tribute to one retiring soldier in a national television event airing on Veterans Day, November 11, 2014. A Hero’s Welcome, a one-hour special will feature a heartwarming homecoming event that brings the comforts of home to American troops in surprising ways with the help of the USO, hosts Robert Irvine from Food Network’s Restaurant: Impossible, Genevieve Gorder from HGTV’s Genevieve’s Renovation, and Gary Sinise, award-winning actor, humanitarian, and founder of the Gary Sinise Foundation. The special airs across Scripps Networks Interactive, including Food Network, HGTV, Cooking Channel, Travel Channel, DIYNetwork, and Great American Country.
“By supporting the USO’s USO2GO program, Marie Callender’s is helping to bridge the gap between home and our troops,” said Ed Shock, USO vice president of Warrior and Family Care. “The USO is lucky to have partners like Marie Callender’s who understand the importance of showing our troops how much they are appreciated.”
The company’s guaranteed minimum donation is $100,000, and the maximum donation is $250,000. Visit www.ComfortsFromHome.com to learn more about the on-pack promotion, the USO2GO program and “A Hero’s Welcome” airing this November.
About the USO
The USO helps to lift the spirits of America’s troops and their families millions of times each year at hundreds of places worldwide. It is a private, non-profit organization, not a government agency. Programs and services are made possible by donations from individuals, support of corporate partners and the dedication of volunteers and staff. In addition to ConAgra Foods, others on the corporate sponsor list include BNSF Railway, the Coca-Cola Company, Harris Teeter and TKS Telepost Kabel-Service Kaiserslautern GmbH & Co. KG.
