Florida Georgia Line Helps Fight Hunger Nationwide

MINNEAPOLIS, March 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- General Mills today announced the launch of its third annual Outnumber Hunger campaign, which has provided more than 25 million meals to Americans in need as part of a partnership with Feeding America and Big Machine Label Group. Each year a talented roster of popular music artists join the initiative to raise awareness for the hunger issue, which affects 49 million Americas, according to the USDA. The Outnumber Hunger campaign officially kicks off today with country sensation Florida Georgia Line as the face of the 2014 campaign.

"Through our experiences with Outnumber Hunger, we have learned the far reach of hunger in America, affecting people from all different backgrounds," said Tyler Hubbard, the Georgia half of Florida Georgia Line. "This year, we're proud to take an even bigger role in the fight against hunger and rally the nation to help those in need."   

Florida Georgia Line and additional Big Machine Label Group artists will be featured on boxes for more than 90 popular General Mills' products, from Cheerios and Betty Crocker to Yoplait and Nature Valley. By entering a code from these specially marked boxes online, Americans can help Feeding America secure five meals on behalf of a local food bank based upon the ZIP code entered.

"Our artists are proud to raise their voices with General Mills and Feeding America to highlight the troubling hunger issues that so many Americans face day-to-day," said Scott Borchetta, president and CEO of Big Machine Label Group. "This powerful group of partners is using its collective voice to rally Americans and help the 49 million people across our country who struggle with hunger."

For every code entered by Jan. 31, 2015 at outnumberhunger.com, General Mills will donate 55.5 cents to Feeding America, with a maximum total donation of $1.2 million. General Mills has already donated $600,000 and will donate up to an additional $600,000 based on online code entry.

Outnumber Hunger's 2014 campaign is marked with a special live concert on Friday, April 4, at The LINQ in Las Vegas, featuring reigning ACM New Artist of the Year Florida Georgia Line, Superstar group Rascal Flatts, ACM New Artist nominee Justin Moore and hot newcomers Thomas Rhett, The Cadillac Three, Cassadee Pope and Danielle Bradbery.  Outnumber Hunger Live! is part of the ACM Party for a Cause Festival, a two-day festival leading up to the 49th Annual ACM Awards on April 6.  Concert attendees will have the opportunity to help Feeding America secure meals through special on-site activities.

"Innovative programs like Outnumber Hunger help us provide critical support nationwide to our neighbors and community members, in our work to solve hunger in America," said Bob Aiken, CEO of Feeding America, the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief organization.

Outnumber Hunger comes as part of a more than 30-year relationship between General Mills and Feeding America's network of food banks.

"For us, the decision to confront the hunger epidemic in America is a simple one," said Cheryl Welch, director, Outnumber Hunger at General Mills. "As a leading food company in the United States, we feel a responsibility to help address the issue and give people an easy way to support the one in six Americans struggling with hunger."  

About General Mills
General Mills is one the world's leading food companies, operating in more than 100 countries around the world. Its brands include Cheerios, Fiber One, Haagen-Dazs, Nature Valley, Yoplait, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Old El Paso, Wanchai Ferry, Yoki, and more. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., USA, General Mills had fiscal 2013 worldwide sales of US $17.8 billion.

About Big Machine Label Group
At the helm of the independent Big Machine Label Group is industry veteran Scott Borchetta, who serves as President and CEO. The conglomerate encompasses Big Machine Records (founded in 2005), The Valory Music Co. (founded in 2007) and Republic Nashville (a partnership with Universal Republic founded in 2009 with Jimmy Harnen serving as President). The Big Machine Label Group's current artist roster includes Multi-Platinum superstars Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw and Reba; Platinum sensations The Band Perry and Florida Georgia Line; Legendary group The Mavericks; Gold-selling artists Brantley Gilbert and Justin Moore; Chart-topping act Eli Young Band as well as Hot newcomers Thomas Rhett, Cassadee Pope, RaeLynn, Laura Bell Bundy, The Cadillac Three and Danielle Bradbery, in addition to a Country tribute to Well-known rockers Motley Crue and soundtracks for ABC's hit drama "NASHVILLE." BMLG artists have received multiple GRAMMY, CMA, ACM, American Music Awards, CMT Music Awards, Teen Choice Awards, MTV Video Music Award and People's Choice Award accolades as well as Brit Award and JUNO Award nominations. In 2012 BMLG rejuvenated its publishing arm with Big Machine Music, which has created a joint venture with Lukasz "Dr. Luke" Gottwald's Prescription Songs, allowing the two companies to co-publish songwriters and artists whose unique talents translate across genres. Big Machine was also the first-ever label to align with terrestrial radio for performance royalty rights. The label group has also forayed into the racing world, sponsoring the Brickyard 400 as well as back-to-back Indy500 drivers.

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/. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FeedingAmerica or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FeedingAmerica.

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SOURCE General Mills