Saks Fifth Avenue & Robin Hood Give Back to New Yorkers In Need

NEW YORK, Jan. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For the month of February, Saks Fifth Avenue will be donating 5% of all registered purchases made at its stores to local nonprofit organizations.  Shoppers at Saks Fifth Avenue's flagship 5th Avenue store in Manhattan can elect to have their 5% bonus go to Robin Hood, New York's largest private poverty-fighting organization.

Robin Hood is New York City's largest private funder of emergency food programs, as well as the largest private funder of job training and housing programs.  It serves hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers struggling to lift themselves out of poverty.  And since Robin Hood's board of directors underwrites all administrative costs and expenses, 100% of every dollar contributed goes back into the community.

"Millions of our neighbors struggle each day with the challenges of poverty, including unemployment, homelessness and illness," said David Saltzman, Executive Director of Robin Hood.  "By selecting Robin Hood when they shop, customers of Saks Fifth Avenue will be helping thousands of New Yorkers get the resources and skills they need to get back on their feet, and we are grateful to Saks for including Robin Hood in this fantastic program."

Starting February 1, 2012, customers can select Robin Hood as the recipient of the 5% bonus when they use their Saks credit card at the Fifth Avenue store. The registration process is easy:  when paying for their purchases, the customers simply tell the sales associate to direct their contribution to Robin Hood – Saks Fifth Avenue handles the rest.  Five percent of whatever the customer spends will then be donated to Robin Hood, at no additional cost to the customer. 

For individuals who are not yet Saks Fifth Avenue cardholders, they can open an account on-site.  In addition, Saks Fifth Avenue will be featuring Robin Hood and four other charities in one of its famous store windows for the month of February.

Media Contact:
Patty Smith
Robin Hood
212-844-3562
[email protected]

Eleanor Banco
Saks Fifth Avenue
212-451-3954
[email protected]

About Robin Hood

For more than 20 years, Robin Hood has fought poverty in New York City. It finds, funds and partners with programs that have proven to be an effective remedy to poverty and is a consistent force for good in the lives of New Yorkers in need. Robin Hood employs a rigorous system of metrics and third-party evaluation to ensure accountability from organizations that receive its' funds.  The board pays all administrative and fundraising costs, so 100% of donations go directly to helping New Yorkers in need.  It works closely with groups that receive grants to make them more effective, enabling them to assist even more people. In 2011, Robin Hood invested over $146 million in more than 200 programs and schools, directly touching the lives of over 400,000 New Yorkers.

SOURCE Robin Hood