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Mayor Brown joined representatives of General Mills for the announcement of a $40,000 grant from Gen

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Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo Receive $40,000 Youth Nutrition and Fitness Grant from Local General Mills Plant

BUFFALO (MARCH 15, 2006) -- The Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo will receive a $40,000 youth nutrition and fitness grant next Friday from the General Mills plant in Buffalo. A check presentation and celebration with Mayor Byron Brown and kids from local clubs will be held at the newly remodeled Babcock Clubhouse on March 24 at 3:15 p.m.

"I congratulate both General Mills and the Buffalo-area Boys & Girls Clubs for collaborating on such an important program for children in Buffalo," said Mayor Byron Brown.  "The Boys & Girls Clubs and General Mills are both making an important contribution to the overall health and well-being of children in our city.  I thank both entities for this joint effort, especially General Mills for its generous contribution of $40,000 to the Boys and Girls Clubs' nutrition and fitness programs."

The grant will be used to provide staff and supplies for the Boys & Girls Club Triple Play program, a health and wellness initiative designed to teach young people to make informed decisions about their physical, mental and social well-being.

The local Boys & Girls Clubs will work to improve kids' knowledge of healthy habits, good nutrition and physical fitness. The program helps kids increase the number of hours per day they participate in physical activities and strengthens their ability to interact positively with others and to engage in healthy relationships.

"In today's non profit world, it is very difficult to secure funding, especially for physical fitness programs," said Rebecca Rowe, director of Program Operations and Specialized Services, at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo. "Thanks to the generous contribution of the General Mills Buffalo plant, children in the Buffalo area will have the opportunity to feel good about themselves while getting healthy and fit at the same time."

The grant from General Mills is part of the General Mills Foundation's Champions for Healthy Kids program, which provides grants to schools and community groups across the country that support innovative programs to help children develop positive, lifelong nutrition and physical fitness habits. 

Over the past three years, the General Mills Foundation has contributed $6 million to help more than 100,000 kids learn how to lead a balanced and active lifestyle through Champions for Healthy Kids.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo

For 80 years, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo has been in the forefront of youth development, working with young people from disadvantaged economic, social and family circumstances.  The Club provides programs and services to over 8,500 youth throughout western New York. The Club's mission is to provide appropriate and diversified programs and activities that serve to attract and hold area youth to the Clubhouse.  The Club provides environments that teach children the skills needed to build positive lives, attitudes and behaviors.  

About General Mills

General Mills, with annual net sales of $12.5 billion, is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of consumer foods products.  Its global brand portfolio includes Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Häagen-Dazs, Old El Paso and more. It also has more than 100 U.S. consumer brands, more than 30 of which generate annual retail sales in excess of $100 million.  General Mills is also a leading supplier of baking and other food products to the foodservice and commercial baking industries.