LISLE, IL. – Just in time for the new school year, Armour, the makers of LunchMakers and BreakfastMakers, is joining forces with STOMP Out Bullying, the leading national bullying and cyberbullying prevention organization for kids and teens in the United States. The partnership is designed to help combat and increase awareness for a problem that has increased in severity in recent years with one in four young people being bullied, according to the CDC.
Armour will help stand-up against the issue through its partnership, which includes a $75,000 donation to STOMP Out Bullying and driving awareness via specially-marked packages of top-selling Armour LunchMakers and BreakfastMakers varieties, in-store signage and social media.
In addition, Armour and STOMP Out Bullying will host a Pep Rally at Albert Leonard Middle School in New Rochelle, N.Y. on October 6, which is Blue Shirt Day® World Day of Bullying Prevention, to educate students on bullying and cyberbullying prevention and will include a special celebrity guest appearance by television host and actor, Mario Lopez.
"We are excited to partner with STOMP Out Bullying, and to reach out to the millions of kids and adults who love Armour LunchMakers and BreakfastMakers to get them involved too," said Chuck Gitkin, vice president, marketing, innovation and R&D for the John Morrell Food Group. "Our nation's children, parents and schools have many important topics to address daily, with bullying being a high priority. We want to do what we can to support anti-bullying and anti-cyberbullying."
STOMP Out Bullying was formed in 2005 with a mission to reduce and prevent bullying, cyberbullying, sexting and other digital abuse, educate against homophobia, racism, and hatred, decrease school absenteeism, and deter violence in schools, online, and in communities across the country. With prevention partners such as Armour, the organization is able to spread its reach and important messages to those who need it most.
"Armour will help us to continue to spread the cause of STOMP Out Bullying," said Ross Ellis, the organization's founder and CEO. "Bullying transcends all demographic groups. But so does bullying prevention. No matter who you are or where you are from, you can take a stand and help end this epidemic that is devastating our young people. We're pleased that Armour is taking such a stand by joining us to build awareness and educate students and the public about all forms of bullying. The company's financial commitment will also allow us to reach more children and parents about this issue."
For more information on Armour and its LunchMakers and BreakfastMakers products please visit, www.lunchmakers.com or www.facebook.com/ArmourMeats.
About Armour
With America's favorite frozen meatballs, LunchMakers and BreakfastMakers portable meal kits, and pepperoni products, Armour is proud to be a trusted brand that provides convenient, delicious and affordable meal options for smart, sensible families since 1867.
About John Morrell Food Group
With over a century and a half of experience, John Morrell Food Group brands have become respected and well known for providing premium-quality meat products to families across the United States. With products ranging from lunchmeat and franks to smoked sausage, bacon and pepperoni, the John Morrell Food Group is an important part of consumers' mealtimes. The John Morrell Food Group offers several national and regional brands including Armour®, Eckrich®, John Morrell®, Curly's®, Patrick Cudahy®, Carando®, Healthy Ones®, Margherita® Kretschmar® and LunchMakers®.
About Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods is a $14 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield®, Eckrich®, Farmland®, Armour®, Cook's®, Gwaltney®, John Morrell®, Kretschmar®, Curly's®, Carando®, Margherita®, and Healthy Ones®. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental, and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com and www.smithfieldcommitments.com.
About STOMP Out Bullying
STOMP Out Bullying™ is the leading national anti-bullying/cyberbullying organization for kids and teens in the U.S. It focuses on reducing and preventing bullying, cyberbullying, sexting and other digital abuse, educating against homophobia, racism and hatred, decreasing school absenteeism, and deterring violence in schools, online and in communities across the country. It teaches effective solutions on how to respond to all forms of bullying. It educates kids and teens in school and online, provides help for those in need and at risk of suicide, raises awareness, conducts peer mentoring programs in schools, creates and distributes public service announcements by noted celebrities, and engages in social media campaigns. An additional focus educates parents on how to keep their children safe and responsible online.
Source: Smithfield Foods
