The Original SoupMan and Willie Randolph Team up to Fight Hunger

The Original SoupMan and Willie Randolph Team up to Fight Hunger

New York Baseball Legend to Present Donation to City Harvest at January 25th Grand Opening Celebration

NEW YORK, Jan. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Soup Kitchen International, Inc., the company that operates and franchises The Original SoupMan, today announced they have added New York baseball legend Willie Randolph to their team roster at Soup For Life, the company's charitable organization dedicated to feeding America's hungry. The Mets manager will present a $10,000 donation on behalf of Soup For Life to City Harvest, New York City's largest hunger rescue organization, at the grand opening of The Original SoupMan on Wednesday, January 25 at 12:00 p.m. at 672 Lexington Avenue (between 55 St. and 56 St.).

The Original SoupMan features the Zagat-rated soups of legendary soup man Al Yeganeh, who inspired the "Soup Episode" on Seinfeld. The founder of "Soup Kitchen International," located at Eighth Avenue and 55 St. in New York City, Mr. Yeganeh has a long-standing tradition of feeding the city's hungry and homeless. At his original restaurant, which he opened over a quarter century ago, it was not uncommon for him to allow the homeless to go to the front of the line where he would feed them free of charge. His charitable organization, Soup For Life, now makes it possible for Mr. Yeganeh to help stop hunger in America and around the globe by supporting many local soup kitchens and hunger relief groups.

Willie Randolph is not the only New York sports legend to join Soup For Life. Hall of Fame legend Reggie Jackson has taken on the role of Chairman of the charitable group and appeared at the grand opening of the flagship Original SoupMan restaurant on Manhattan's 42 St. in November 2005 to present a similar donation to City Harvest.

Soup For Life makes donations to local hunger charities in every town where an Original SoupMan restaurant opens. Since the foundation was formed in late 2005, they have donated over $23,000. With as many as 100 new restaurants set to open in 2006, the foundation estimates they will donate up to $150,000 throughout the year. Loyal fanatics of Mr. Yeganeh's soups, who commonly refer to themselves as "Soupies", are urged to do their part by making an online donation to Soup For Life at http://www.originalsoupman.com/.

About The Original SoupMan

Founded in 1984, legendary soup man, Al Yeganeh, set the standard for delicious, world-renowned soups at his New York City restaurant, Soup Kitchen International. Now, with the international growth of his franchise, The Original Soup Man, Al and his team will give the whole world the opportunity to experience soup as it was meant to be. The company also sells the Original SoupMan soups in Grab-n-Go packages in grocery stores nationwide For a complete press kit and more information visit http://www.originalsoupman.com/. For franchise information, call (877)-SOUPMAN.

About City Harvests

Founded in 1981, City Harvest is the world's oldest and New York City's only food rescue organization, dedicated to feeding New York City's hungry men, women and children. This year, City Harvest will collect over 19 million pounds of excess, nutritious food from all segments of the food industry, including restaurants, grocers, corporate cafeterias, manufacturers and farms. This food is then delivered free of charge to more than 800 community programs throughout New York City using their fleet of 15 trucks and volunteers on foot. Each week, City Harvest helps over 260,000 hungry New Yorkers find their next meal.

Media Contact:
John Rarrick
Carolyn Izzo Integrated Communications
845/358-3920 x16
jrarrick@ciicnews.com

Source: Soup Kitchen International, Inc.

CONTACT: John Rarrick of Carolyn Izzo Integrated Communications,
+1-845-358-3920 x16, jrarrick@ciicnews.com, for Soup Kitchen International,
Inc.

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

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