PRAIRIE DU SAC, WI (Grassroots Newswire) August 15, 2007 – American Red Cross chapters are joining forces with locally owned and operated Culver’s® restaurants on a new Culver’s Cares™ community campaign to raise funds and awareness for emergency and humanitarian programs. Developed under the restaurant chain’s Culver’s Cares program, this partnership brings together participating Culver’s from more than 350 restaurants in 16 states with their local Red Cross chapters. Programs will directly benefit residents in local communities, helping them prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Included in these community efforts will be a Day of Giving system-wide fundraising event on Sept. 12, which is expected to raise over $150,000 for local Red Cross charities through participating Culver’s franchises.

“We are thrilled about this new locally-oriented campaign because it builds upon many years of local support of Red Cross chapters by individual franchisees, as well as Culver’s rich tradition of giving back to its neighbors,” said Roger Dahl, Service Area Executive, Midwest Service Area, for the American Red Cross.  “Culver’s friends and neighbors count on the local services of the Red Cross for food and emergency supplies in times of disaster and for the community support offered in countless other ways. We know the support from Culver’s franchisees, and their parent company, will strengthen local programs and help save lives.”

The partnership builds on local programs established by Culver’s restaurant owners who have helped to generate grassroots support throughout the Culver’s franchise system. These efforts have included donations of food following tornadoes, fires and other local disasters, as well as fundraising campaigns to aid disaster victims throughout Culver’s 23-year history. This expanded partnership among participating Culver’s franchises and local Red Cross chapters may include a bulk food donation program to provide in-kind supplies for emergency relief; a Give a Pint, Get a Pint program to support local blood drives; health and safety training classes for Culver’s team members and guests; fundraising events for new restaurant openings; and a system-wide Day of Giving this fall featuring a donation of 10 percent of sales on Sept. 12.

“American Red Cross chapters provide a vital link to local communities through their programs and volunteer family,” said Culver’s co-founder (and Red Cross volunteer) Lea Culver.  “Our franchisees believe in being good neighbors, and when disaster strikes and during other times of crisis, there is no better neighbor to have than your local Red Cross chapter.” 

Culver’s restaurants are independently owned and operated in more than 350 locations in 16 states. With new restaurants opening by 2008 in Arizona, and plans to expand into Arkansas and Tennessee, guests will be able to enjoy their Culver's favorites in 19 states across the nation. The owner/operator concept has been a cornerstone of growth for Culver’s since the first location opened in Sauk City, Wisconsin, on July 18, 1984. Culver’s invests deeply in partnerships and programs, including its VIP scholarship program, Culver’s Cares™ charitable program and countless other franchise-driven local efforts. The American Red Cross became a partner in 2007 and since then a number of local, regional and system-wide programs raised funds and awareness for their efforts. Culver’s is the recipient of numerous awards, including the IFMA Silver Plate Award and a coveted “Best In Category – Food” rating, placing Culver’s among the Top 50 of more than 300 franchise opportunities nationwide as reviewed by Franchise Business Review. For more information on Culver’s locations, franchise opportunities, promotional programs, menu selections and other areas of interest, visit www.culvers.com.

The American Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Last year, almost a million volunteers and 35,000 employees helped victims of almost 75,000 disasters; taught lifesaving skills to millions; and helped U.S. service members separated from their families stay connected. Almost 4 million people gave blood through the Red Cross, the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. The American Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.  For more information on Red Cross programs and services, visit www.redcross.org

The American Red Cross is a registered service mark of The American National Red Cross.
All other trademarks belong to Culver Franchising System, Inc.

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