Maxwell House, 'Modern Family's' Julie Bowen and Rebuilding Together Lend a Hand to Communities Across America

TARRYTOWN, N.Y., April 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- With more than 43 million Americans living below the poverty line*, community houses have increasingly become the heart and soul of neighborhoods.  In order to ignite hope and optimism in struggling communities, Maxwell House, with a history steeped in giving back, is putting a spotlight on these community houses through "Drops of Good:  The Maxwell House Community Project."

In partnership with Rebuilding Together, the nation's leading nonprofit working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize communities, and actress Julie Bowen, "Drops of Good" will revitalize communities across America.  The program includes:

• Completing up to $50,000 in renovations at five of 10 outstanding community houses – America will vote for the winners
• Awarding 100 501(c)(3) organizations with $1,000 "Do-Gooder Grants"
• Additional monetary donation to Rebuilding Together for each "Drops of Good" Maxwell House coupon redeemed

"I'm joining the 'Drops of Good' movement because I believe we all need to get involved on a personal level to revitalize our communities," said Julie Bowen.  "I am excited to lend a hand and spread the word about this opportunity to give back and improve our country one neighborhood at a time."

"We are proud of the long Maxwell House history of brewing good deeds in our consumers' communities and we're excited for this next chapter to begin," said Becky McAninch, Maxwell House Senior Brand Manager.  "We firmly believe a great cup of coffee is the foundation of any good day and provides the fuel we need to make a positive difference."

Community House Renovations

With the help of Rebuilding Together, 10 worthy community houses have been selected to potentially receive the makeover of a lifetime through renovation projects of up to $50,000 each.  The communities include:

• Atlanta
• Chicago
• Denver
• Indianapolis
• Los Angeles
• Miami
• Minneapolis
• Nashville
• New York
• Philadelphia

Beginning today, Americans can go to MaxwellHouse.com to learn more about each community house, and through June 17, vote for their favorite to receive renovations by the "Drops of Good" crew of volunteers and contractors.  In June, Maxwell House will announce the five community houses America chooses to receive up to $50,000 for major renovations.  The "Drops of Good" crews will begin the projects soon after.  The remaining organizations will each receive a $5,000 grant.

Fueling America's Volunteers

Additionally at MaxwellHouse.com, people everywhere will have the chance to nominate 501(c)(3) groups in their area to receive a "Do-Gooder Grant."  From June through October, 100 worthy organizations will be awarded $1,000, and on October 24, one of those groups will receive an additional $10,000.

"This Maxwell House support will help us make significant achievements in restoring and preserving community houses for generations to come," said Gary A. Officer, President and CEO for Rebuilding Together.  "Our mission is critical to the vitality of struggling communities and we are truly grateful and excited that Maxwell House is bringing positive attention to the importance of volunteers and the local organizations working hard to improve their communities."

To learn more about "Drops of Good" and find local volunteer opportunities, please visit MaxwellHouse.com.

About Maxwell House

Maxwell House coffee (MaxwellHouse.com) is one of Kraft Foods' global billion dollar brands.  It was founded in 1892 by Joel Owsley Cheek whose superior blend of top-quality coffee beans was first served at the Maxwell House Hotel in Nashville, TN.  According to legend, the brand's well-known slogan, "Good to the Last Drop," was coined by President Theodore Roosevelt when he was served a cup of Maxwell House coffee at The Hermitage, President Andrew Jackson's former home.  Today, the brand offers many varieties of Caffeinated and Decaffeinated Ground Coffee, Flavored Coffee, Instant Coffee, Maxwell House International and TASSIMO T DISCs.

About Kraft Foods

Northfield, Ill.-based Kraft Foods Inc. (NYSE: KFT) is a global snacks powerhouse with an unrivaled portfolio of brands people love.  Proudly marketing delicious biscuits, confectionery, beverages, cheese, grocery products and convenient meals in approximately 170 countries, Kraft Foods had 2010 revenue of $49.2 billion, more than half of which was earned outside North America.  Eleven of the company's iconic brands -- including Cadbury, Jacobs, Kraft, LU, Maxwell House, Milka, Nabisco, Oreo, Oscar Mayer, Philadelphia and Trident -- generate revenue of more than $1 billion annually, and 40 have been loved for more than a century.  A leader in innovation, marketing, health & wellness and sustainability, Kraft Foods is a member of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Standard & Poor's 500, Dow Jones Sustainability Index and Ethibel Sustainability Index.  For more information, visit kraftfoodscompany.com and facebook.com/kraftfoodscorporate. 

About Rebuilding Together

Rebuilding Together is the nation's leading nonprofit organization working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize neighborhoods by providing extensive rehabilitation and modification services to those in need at no cost to those served. With the help of everyday citizen volunteers, skilled trades people, the support of local business and major corporate partners, Rebuilding Together affiliates in America's largest cities and smallest towns make life considerably better for thousands of low-income homeowners and the communities in which they live by completing 10,000 projects per year. Rebuilding Together has programs dedicated to, energy efficiency, veteran's housing, aging in place and gulf coast reconstruction. For more information, visit www.RebuildingTogether.org. You can also follow Rebuilding Together on Twitter @rebldgtogthr or become a fan on Facebook at Facebook.com/RebuildingTogether.

* U.S. Census Bureau statistic

SOURCE Maxwell House