Hershey Makes $100,000 Donation to Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP); Participates in ‘Believe in Heroes®’ Campaign

HERSHEY, Pa., November 6, 2013 /3BL Media/ - 

• Ties  fall baking season to supporting Wounded Warrior Project
• Expands commitment to hiring military veterans
• Continues employee volunteering at veteran and military organizations across the country

The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) today announced a $100,000 donation to Wounded Warrior Project and its participation in the Believe in Heroes campaign. The donation will help support Wounded Warrior Project’s numerous programs, which are addressing the urgent needs of this generation’s injured service members.

To promote the Believe in Heroes campaign and raise awareness of Wounded Warrior Project, Hershey is tying its support of the campaign to the fall baking season and its No. 1 baking chip, Hershey’s® Semi-Sweet Baking Chips.

This baking season, when consumers pick up a bag of Hershey’s Semi-Sweet Baking Chips they will see a “Help Us Honor Heroes” burst with a QR code that takes consumers to the Wounded Warrior Project website where they can make a donation to support U.S. veterans. This will be enhanced by in-store merchandising and a coupon for a Hershey’s baking product.

“For many, the fall baking season is a time to show affection and appreciation to loved ones. One of the ways we’re saying thank you to the military and veterans this year is through the Believe in Heroes campaign and Wounded Warriors Project,” said Bobby Agarwal, Director Snacks Food & Beverage Portfolio. “There is such a natural emotional connection between Hershey’s baking chips, the love a homemade baked good can convey, and the feelings of appreciation for the men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country.”

Commitment to Military and Veterans

Recent estimates indicate that approximately 1,000,000 veterans will be entering civilian life and seeking work over the next four years. The urgent need for veteran employment combined with Hershey’s aggressive growth and need for highly skilled employees, has led Hershey to expand its veterans hiring initiatives. Through public-private partnerships and a focus on veteran recruiting, Hershey now has more than 500 veteran employees, and more than 300 members of its Veterans Business Resource Group. The Veterans Business Resource Group supports transitioning veterans, educates Hershey’s workforce on the skills and experiences of veterans, and builds a strong network for veterans within Hershey and the community.

Recently, Hershey expanded its commitment to hiring veterans, and has joined other leading U.S. companies in the 100,000 Jobs Mission. Together, these companies have committed to hiring 100,000 transitioning service members and military veterans by 2020. 

“We’re proud that our long-standing commitment to veterans extends back to World War I and II and continues today through our expanded veterans hiring initiatives,” said Terry O’Day, Senior Vice President, Chief Supply Chain Officer. “With a growing population of veteran employees and programs in place to help them be successful in their new workplace, it is an exciting time for veterans to be part of Hershey.”  

Hershey’s support of the U.S. military dates back to WWI and WWII, when Hershey provided milk chocolate bars and “Field Ration D” bars to troops. Hershey continues to support U.S. service men and women serving both domestically and in overseas conflicts, including through the company’s product donation program, in which Hershey sends products to men and women serving in the military. During the past 10 years, Hershey has sent care packages to the troops consisting of more than 4,500 cases of product, with a value of nearly $500,000.

Care for the Community

Hershey’s ongoing veteran and military outreach is consistent with its commitment to “doing well by doing good,” a phrase Milton Hershey, The Hershey Company’s founder, often said and embraced in his own life as well as instilled in the company.

Earlier this year, a team of 23 Hershey employees joined together with a group from the Wounded Warrior Project to participate in a West Virginia Tough Mudder. Tough Mudder participants have raised millions of dollars for WWP.

This Veteran’s Day, members of the Hershey’s Veterans Business Resource Group will be volunteering at veterans and military organizations in four communities across the country. “It’s an important time of the year to recognize those who have served and sacrificed for our country,” added O’Day.  “We also want to do our part in helping those organizations that do so much to support our veterans across the country.”

About The Hershey Company
The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is the largest producer of quality chocolate in North America and a global leader in chocolate and sugar confectionery. Headquartered in Hershey, Pa., The Hershey Company has operations throughout the world and approximately 14,000 employees. With revenues of more than $6.6 billion, Hershey offers confectionery products under more than 80 brand names, including such iconic brands as Hershey's, Reese's, Hershey's Kisses, Hershey's Bliss, Hershey's Special Dark, Kit Kat, Twizzlers, Jolly Rancher and Ice Breakers.  The company is focused on growing its presence in key international markets such as China, Mexico and Brazil while continuing to build its competitive advantage in the United States and Canada.

For more than 100 years, The Hershey Company has been a leader in making a positive difference in the communities where its employees live, work and do business. Corporate Social Responsibility is an integral part of the company’s global business strategy, which includes goals and priorities focused on fair and ethical business dealings, environmental stewardship, fostering a desirable workplace for employees, and positively impacting society and local communities. Milton Hershey School, established in 1909 by the company's founder and funded by a trust administered by Hershey Trust Company, provides a quality education, housing, and medical care at no cost to children in social and financial need. Students of Milton Hershey School are direct beneficiaries of The Hershey Company's success.

About Wounded Warrior Project^®
The mission of Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) is to honor and empower wounded warriors. WWP’s purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. To get involved and learn more, visit woundedwarriorproject.org.