Lowcountry Food Bank and Sunoco Announce Partnership to Help Hungry

CHARLESTON, S.C., June 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Lowcountry Food Bank (LCFB), an exceptional agency supporting the poor and hungry of the ten coastal counties of South Carolina, announced a corporate partnership with Sunoco today at a press conference on the loading dock at LCFB.  Through Sunoco's twenty-six APlus locations throughout the Lowcountry region, consumers are able to donate a cup of coffee to LCFB through the purchase of APlus' all new Lowcountry Blend, now on sale. 

Beginning today, a new blend of coffee developed specifically for residents of the Lowcountry is sold at all 26 regional A-Plus locations.  The blend, titled Lowcountry Blend, is a medium body mix of Costa Rican, Guatemalan, Mexican and Honduran coffees with an enticing mix of bright, slightly nutty flavors and is special because:

• The blend was created exclusively for Lowcountry residents by Sunoco and it's specialty coffee roaster, Coffee Bean International
• The name and final roast was chosen by local residents, APlus store employees and regional business and community leaders
• Sunoco will donate a portion of the proceeds for each cup of coffee sold in participating APlus stores to support the Lowcountry Food Bank.

"Lowcountry Food Bank plays an integral role here and throughout the ten-county region they serve," said Ruth Clauser, president, Sunoco Foundation.  "Hunger and food shortages in homes are still an ongoing battle nationwide and Sunoco is proud to work with food banks nationally to help local organizations battle the ongoing challenges of hunger. The new offering of the Lowcountry Blend at local APlus stores and the donation of a cup-for-a-cup is an opportunity for area residents to help their neighbors in need."

"On behalf of the Lowcountry Food Bank and the thousands of food insecure families we serve, I would like to thank Sunoco for their partnership and commitment to fighting hunger in our community," said Lowcountry Food Bank President and CEO, Pat Walker.  "By including Lowcountry Food Bank in their Caffeinate Charleston campaign, Sunoco will create much needed hunger awareness for our neighbors in need. Their philanthropic leadership in our business community is inspiring."

"Sunoco is honored to provide this donation to Lowcountry Food Bank through our twenty-six APlus locations throughout the Lowcountry region," added Cynthia Archer, Sunoco's vice president of marketing.  "Being able to help LCFB continue its mission to feed the poor and hungry of the ten coastal counties of South Carolina through the sales of the Lowcountry Blend is an honor and our store associates are thrilled to be a part of this campaign."

The Lowcountry Blend is now on sale at the twenty-six APlus locations throughout the Lowcountry region.  To find out more about the partnership, visit www.sunocobeanteam.wordpress.com or use #BeanTeam to join the conversation on Twitter.

About Lowcountry Food Bank
The Lowcountry Food Bank serves the 10 coastal counties of South Carolina and distributes more than 18 million pounds of food a year.  The Lowcountry Food Bank is a clearinghouse for donated food products that are distributed to a network of more than 330 member agencies including soup kitchens, homeless shelters and emergency food pantries. The Lowcountry Food Bank is a member of Feeding America and is committed to educating the public about the problems of and solutions to domestic hunger as well as advocating on the behalf of the hungry in our community.

About Sunoco
Sunoco, Inc. is a leading logistics and retail company with a network of approximately 4,900 retail locations in 23 states. Sunoco is proud of its long-standing commitment to good corporate citizenship. The Sunoco Foundation supports the belief that the company's success is determined not only by investing in the business, but also by investing in communities.  As a corporate citizen of Charleston, South Carolina, Sunoco has formed civic and charitable partnerships within the community and developed a blend of coffee created to appeal to the Lowcountry palate, Lowcountry Blend is sold exclusively at APlus convenience stores in the Charleston area, with a portion of the profits donated to the Lowcountry Food Bank.

SOURCE Lowcountry Food Bank