More Than $200,000 Raised Throughout Blue Cross Concert Series

More Than $200,000 Raised Throughout Blue Cross Concert Series

Funds Enable Second Harvest Heartland to Supply Food for More Than 1 Million Meals

EAGAN, Minn., Jan. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The concert series sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota helped to significantly increase the seasonal donations for Second Harvest Heartland, Minnesota's largest hunger- fighting organization. Contributions at the various concerts, online and by mail totaled $191,000. Additionally, Blue Cross matched each dollar up to $25,000 for a full amount of $216,000.

"Blue Cross is an outstanding and creative partner," said R. Jane Brown, Second Harvest Heartland executive director. "Their generous initiative at a difficult time in a year marked by human and natural disasters is truly remarkable and greatly needed. The funds provide both food and hope."

The benefit match extended beyond volunteers soliciting donations at the concerts. Advertisements encouraged online donations and the Second Harvest Heartland November newsletter announced the Blue Cross match. The newsletter, which usually generates $20,000 in contributions, alone accounted for more than $100,000.

According to Second Harvest Heartland, each dollar donated results in $9 worth of food -- approximately the amount needed for five meals. "This contribution is the latest testament to the generosity of Minnesotans," said Daniel Johnson, Blue Cross director of community affairs and foundation executive director. "Concert-goers recognized the needs of those that are hungry and willingly responded in a meaningful way. We're thrilled that the Blue Cross concert sponsorship and match made such a difference." Increased donations, due to publicity of the Blue Cross match, will support the distribution of nearly $2 million worth of food or enough for more than 1 million meals.

The concert series was a collaboration of Blue Cross, City Pages, 89.3 the Current, and Sue McLean & Associates to support local hunger-relief efforts. The series included concerts by Richard Thompson, Dar Williams, Brian Setzer and the BoDeans.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, with headquarters in the St. Paul suburb of Eagan, was chartered in 1933 as Minnesota's first health plan and continues to carry out its charter mission today: to promote a wider, more economical and timely availability of health services for the people of Minnesota. A not-for-profit, taxable organization, Blue Cross is the largest health plan based in Minnesota, covering 2.6 million members in Minnesota and nationally through its health plans or plans administered by its affiliated companies. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, headquartered in Chicago. Visit http://www.bluecrossmn.com/ .

Source: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

CONTACT: Joel Swanson of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota,
+1-651-662-2882

Web site: http://www.bluecrossmn.com/

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