18 Nov 2015

MLB All-Star and Chicago native Curtis Granderson hosts 3rd Annual Grand-Giving initiative

By Christina Coleman
WHO:
New York Mets All-Star outfielder and Chicago native, Curtis Granderson and the Grand Kids Foundation will host the 3rd Annual Grand Giving initiative to benefit The Greater Chicago Food Depository and Northern Illinois Food Bank during the entire month of November. The Annual 'Night of Giving' Fundraiser to take place Thursday, November 19 at 7pm - Tunnel Chicago, River North.
Granderson, born and raised in Chicago's south suburbs, is a life-long Chicagoan. A graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Curtis is one of approximately thirty-six current professional baseball players with a four-year college degree.
The Grand Kids Foundation will launch a series of Chicago-based community programs including a month long in-store promotion in partnership with Mariano's in which customers can "Check Out To Help Out" by making a donation at any Mariano's store. Proceeds from Grand Giving benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository and Northern Illinois Food Bank's youth programs, providing children with nutritious food- as nearly 1 in 5 children are food insecure.
In addition to the month-long fundraising campaign, Grand Giving Weekend includes an array of event programs such as A Night of Giving Reception at Tunnel Chicago (11/19), Grand Kids Mariano's store visit hosted by Granderson (11/20) and a Grand Kids Indoor Youth Baseball Clinic at Curtis Granderson Stadium - UIC (11/21).
"In 2014, Mariano's customers donated over $78,000 to support Grand Giving - nearly a quarter million meals. This year we're excited to elevate our program and fundraising goal with the help of my fellow Grand Giving Ambassadors," said Granderson. "Children should never have to worry about where or when they will have their next meal. Kids who go hungry can fall behind in virtually every way - physically, behaviorally and academically. The Grand Kids Foundation and our Grand Giving partners are dedicated to making a difference in Chicago, one meal at a time."
Granderson enlisted a group of notable Grand Giving Ambassadors to join in his mission including Anthony Rizzo, Scottie Pippen, Jonathan Toews and Israel Idonije, to name a few.
"I'm honored to partner with Curtis Granderson in his mission," said Bob Mariano, chairman and CEO of Roundy's, the parent company of Mariano's.  "I'm excited to give our Mariano's customers an opportunity to support the basic needs of children through Grand Giving."
WHAT:
The 3rd Annual Grand-Giving initiative in partnership with Mariano's www.grandgiving.org
WHEN/WHERE:
Nov. 19 - Night of Giving Reception, Tunnel Chicago - 7pm
Nov. 20 - Greater Chicago Food Depository's Kids Café + Mariano's West Loop - 4pm
Nov. 21 - Grand Kids Youth Baseball Clinic, Curtis Granderson Stadium/UIC - 10am
CONTACT:
28 Oct 2013

Curtis Granderson, MLB All-Star and Chicago native, to host Grand-Giving Fundraiser to benefit The Greater Chicago Food Depository

By Christina Coleman
Inaugural Event to be held on November 13, 2013
Athletes/Celebrities vs. Sponsors & Guests in Grand-Gaming Tournament,
sponsored by SONY Playstation and EA SPORTS
Major League Baseball All-Star outfielder and Chicago native, Curtis Granderson and the Grand Kids Foundation (501c3) will host inaugural Grand-Giving Fundraiser to benefit The Greater Chicago Food Depository.
Granderson, born and raised in Chicago's south suburbs, is a life-long Chicagoan. A graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Curtis is one of approximately thirty-six current professional baseball players with a four-year college degree.
The Grand Kids Foundation will launch a series of Chicago-based community programs, starting with the Grand-Giving Fundraiser to benefit The Greater Chicago Food Depository's Kids Café program, which provides children with nutritious meals at after-school programs and during the summer at sites throughout Cook County - as nearly 1 in 5 children are food insecure. Granderson will personally visit two Kids Café sites pre-event - Kelly Hall YMCA and Miguel A. Barretto Boys & Girls Club.
"Children should never have to worry about where or when they will have their next meal", said Granderson. "Kids who go hungry can fall behind in virtually every way - physically, behaviorally and academically. The Grand Kids Foundation and our Grand-Giving event partners are dedicated to making a difference in Chicago this holiday season, and all year long."
"We are very grateful to Curtis Granderson for his support of the Greater Chicago Food Depository and programs that provide food for Chicago's children," said Kate Maehr, executive director and CEO of the Greater Chicago Food Depository. "Curtis has been a philanthropic leader among Major League Baseball players, and we're pleased to partner with him on this initiative."
WHAT:
The inaugural Grand-Giving Fundraiser is an interactive event featuring a Grand-Gaming DreamSeat Lounge sponsored by SONY Playstation and EA SPORTS in which sponsors and guests can compete against athletes and celebrities. The event is supported by Pete's Fresh Market, New Balance, SONY Playstation, EA SPORTS, DreamSeats, Uber, John Barleycorn and more.
WHEN:
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
WHERE:
John Barleycorn River North
149 West Kinzie
Chicago, IL  60654
About the Grand Kids Foundation:
Established in 2007, the Grand Kids Foundation (501c3) focuses on aiding positive youth development via education, physical fitness and nutrition - providing tools and resources for educational and societal advancement. In 2009, Curtis released a children's book, All You Can Be, which shares personal stories from his youth encouraging children to chase after their dreams. Proceeds from All You Can Be benefit the Grand Kids Foundation.
Curtis Granderson serves as a National Ambassador of the White House's anti-obesity campaign Let's Move, National Spokesperson of the Partnership for a Healthier America's Drink Up water initiative and International Ambassador of Major League Baseball. In 2012, Granderson made a personal donation of $5 Million to his alma mater - The University of Illinois at Chicago - for the development of Curtis Granderson's Grand Kids Youth Academy at UIC, which will serve Chicago's inner-city youth (2014).
Social Handle: @CGrand14
About The Greater Chicago Food Depository:
The Greater Chicago Food Depository, Chicago's food bank, is a nonprofit food distribution and training center providing food for hungry people while striving to end hunger in our community. The Food Depository, founded in 1979, makes a daily impact across Cook County with a network of 650 pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, mobile programs, children's programs, older adult programs and innovative responses that address the root causes of hunger. Last year, the Food Depository distributed 66 million pounds of shelf-stable food, fresh produce, dairy products and meat, the equivalent of 150,000 meals every day. For more information, visit chicagosfoodbank.org or call 773-247-FOOD.
***
Christina Coleman

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