Pepsi Urged to Follow Example of Coca-Cola and Stop Hiding Corporate Donations

PLANO, Texas, April 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A non-profit organization is urging PepsiCo to follow the lead of the Coca-Cola Company by revealing the full amount of its corporate donations.  "Unlike Coca-Cola, Pepsi refuses to divulge the exact amount of money it donates to various groups," said Greg Quinlan, President of Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays (PFOX).  

"This secrecy by PepsiCo can lead to misuse of corporate funds," said Quinlan.  "PepsiCo says it gave 'over $100,000' last year to Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), but refuses to specify the exact amount.  Yet PepsiCo is the leading corporate sponsor of PFLAG."

"Americans are concerned because PepsiCo may be giving away hundreds of thousands of dollars to help fund anti-religious activities by PFLAG," said Quinlan.  "PFLAG's religious guidebook instructs members to issue press releases and picket against religious events they disagree with in order 'to remind people that there is more than one faith message.'"

"PFLAG's religious manual approves of gay affirming churches while urging members to protest against religious conferences which feature ex-gay speakers," said Quinlan.  "PFLAG even directs members on how to create picket signs for these protests."

"My church welcomes the ex-gay community," said Quinlan.  "Why does Pepsi fund groups like PFLAG that disrupt Christian events which support former homosexuals like me?  Why is Pepsi funding bigotry against ex-gays and promoting anti-Christian messages?"

"The Coca-Cola Company lists the exact amounts of its corporate donations.  Pepsi should do the same.  Why is PepsiCo hiding this information?"

PFOX is urging PepsiCo stockholders to vote for a shareholder proposal that would require Pepsi to divulge its standards for donating over $75 million in corporate assets annually to controversial groups.

"The PepsiCo Charitable Contributions Shareholder Proposal asks Pepsi to fully divulge its funding and account for how the company's charitable contributions are actually used, a reasonable request," said Quinlan.

PepsiCo manufactures Pepsi-Cola and Gatorade drinks, Frito-Lay snacks, Tropicana juices, and Quaker foods.

Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays (PFOX) leads the nation in providing outreach, education, and public awareness in support of families and the ex-gay community. To learn more, visit http://pfox.org/about_us.html

Contact:  Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays, PFOX

804-453-4737 -- [email protected]

SOURCE Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays (PFOX)