Jim Gaffigan Bars Jokes for Hunger Awareness

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J., July 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Mars Chocolate North America announced today that its SNICKERS® Brand is continuing their partnership with Feeding America® to help 'Bar Hunger.'  Through the 'Bar Hunger' campaign, SNICKERS will help provide the equivalent of up to three and a half million meals to the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization, as well as educate and empower Americans to join the effort.

To shine a spotlight on hunger in America, SNICKERS has enlisted comedian Jim Gaffigan to champion the cause.  Gaffigan is best known for his stand-up comedy routine, as well as his recent role on Broadway in The Championship Season.  As part of his efforts to Bar Hunger, Gaffigan will put his sense of humor on hold and go joke free through the weekend to put the issue of domestic hunger on center stage.

"Over the years, I've made jokes about eating and food," said Gaffigan. "But the fact that 50 million Americans – or one in six of our neighbors – don't always know where their next meal might come from is not funny, it's truly sad."

"Hunger continues to be a real and growing problem in America," explained Debra A. Sandler, Chief Consumer Officer at Mars Chocolate North America.  "In all likelihood, we personally know someone affected by hunger and aren't aware that they have a problem.  We hope this campaign can make a real difference in raising awareness and helping provide the resources for Feeding America to support those in need."

Americans can help 'Bar Hunger' by texting the code from specially marked SNICKERS bars to 45495 or entering the code at SNICKERS.com.  For every code texted or entered through October 23, 2011, SNICKERS will help provide two meals to Feeding America.

Feeding America's network of food banks provides food to more than 37 million Americans each year.  Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks support 61,000 agencies and 70,000 programs, which provide food directly to individuals and families in need.

For more information about SNICKERS or the 'Bar Hunger' campaign, visit www.SNICKERS.com or www.Facebook.com/SNICKERS.

About Mars Chocolate North America:

Mars Chocolate North America is the North American chocolate operations of Mars, Incorporated.  In 1911, Frank C. Mars made the first Mars candies in his Tacoma, Washington kitchen and established Mars' first roots as a confectionery company.  In the 1920s, Forrest E. Mars, Sr. joined his father in business and together they launched the MILKY WAY® bar.  In 1932, Forrest, Sr. moved to the United Kingdom with a dream of  building a business based on the philosophy of a "mutuality of benefits" for all stakeholders – this vision serves as the foundation of the Mars, Incorporated we are today.  Based in McLean, Virginia, Mars has net sales of more than $30 billion and six business segments including Petcare, Chocolate, Wrigley, Food, Drinks and Symbioscience.  More than 65,000 Associates worldwide are putting our Mars Principles in action every day to make a difference for people and the planet through our performance.

Mars brands include: Chocolate – M&M'S®, SNICKERS®, DOVE®, GALAXY®, MARS®, MILKY WAY® and TWIX®; Petcare – PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, SHEBA®, CESAR® and ROYAL CANIN®; Wrigley – ORBIT®, EXTRA®, STARBURST®, DOUBLEMINT® and SKITTLES®; Food – UNCLE BEN'S®, DOLMIO®, EBLY®, MASTERFOODS® and SEEDS OF CHANGE®; Drinks – ALTERRA COFFEE ROASTERS™, THE BRIGHT TEA CO.™, KLIX® and FLAVIA®; Symbioscience –SERAMIS®, CIRKU™ and COCOAVIA™.

For more information, please visit www.mars.com.

About Feeding America

Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity, our network members supply food to more than 37 million Americans each year, including 14 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks support 61,000 agencies that address hunger in all of its forms. For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community and across the country, visit www.feedingamerica.org; find us on Facebook at facebook.com/FeedingAmerica; or follow our news on Twitter at twitter.com/FeedingAmerica.

SOURCE Mars Chocolate North America

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