SDX Sodexho Alliance Ads

GAITHERSBURG, Md., June 13 /PRNewswire/ -- In pursuit of its vision to end hunger and its root causes for the affected 38 million people in the United States, Sodexho (NYSE:SDX) announced results for its major annual fundraising event and its nationwide community service month. Both events, the 7th Annual Sodexho Foundation Dinner and the Sodexho Servathon, provided dramatic demonstration of Sodexho's corporate and employee commitment to the cause. The events raised a combined total of more than $650,000 and Sodexho employees contributed nearly 100,000 hours of community service. The Foundation Dinner, held in McLean, Va., was the culmination of Sodexho's year of activities related to ending hunger in America. This year, the Foundation was pleased to welcome Earvin "Magic" Johnson, CEO, Magic Johnson Enterprises, and a new Sodexho business partner, as the keynote speaker. Johnson spoke of the importance of the efforts of the Sodexho Foundation, stating that he feels strongly that no one in the country should go without a meal. ConAgra Foods received a special honor at the Foundation dinner -- the company was recognized as the "2006 Sodexho Foundation Hunger Champion" for its commitment to fighting childhood hunger. The ConAgra Foods 'Feeding Children Better' Foundation is the nation's largest corporate initiative dedicated solely to fighting child hunger. Through its alliances with America's Second Harvest, the Feeding Children Better program sponsors Kid's Cafe, a program that provides free after-school meals to children in need. In addition, nine Sodexho employees were honored as "Heroes of Everyday Life," the Sodexho Foundation's annual program to recognize the best among its ranks for their hunger-related work. "As the nation's leading provider of food and facilities management services, we are committed to creating a hunger-free nation, one community at a time," said Stephen J. Brady, president of the Sodexho Foundation. "I am so proud of this year's Heroes -- their dedication and unique contributions toward fighting hunger in their local communities inspire us all to open our eyes to the many creative ways we can help to alleviate hunger and its causes." The 2006 Sodexho Heroes of Everyday Life, who each received an award and a $5,000 grant to the hunger-related charity of their choice, are Maureen Brown of Bloomington, Ind., Mike Bush of Omaha, Neb., John Chirichello of Montclair, N.J., Jerome Comi of Jersey City, N.J., Tony DeSanctis of Johnson City, N.Y., Jack Martin of Chattanooga, Tenn., George Moran of Norwood, Mass., and Sanford (SD) Terry Jr. of Cincinnati, Ohio. The Sodexho Servathon is held every April and challenges Sodexho employees to participate in various hunger-related projects. This year's Servathon resulted in 33,000 participating employees volunteering 100,000 hours of time, donating over 100 tons of food and preparing 50,000 meals. Responding to the challenge of Servathon this year, Sodexho employees initiated a variety of creative hunger-relief efforts in the communities where they live and work, including a virtual food drive in Chicago, a Chef Fast in Northern California, a charity golf tournament in Texas and a 24-hour "Cook-a- thon" in New Jersey. In addition, employees held canned food drives, volunteered at food banks, organized fundraisers and provided free training on food safety for food banks and homeless shelters. Over the past ten years, during Servathon employees have served 227,000 meals and donated an estimated 660 tons of food to community food banks. In addition to Servathon and other events, Sodexho employees contribute year- round to the Sodexho Foundation through Sodexho payroll deductions or through the employee-giving program. Sodexho matches employee contributions dollar for dollar. About the Sodexho Foundation The Sodexho Foundation (http://www.helpstophunger.org/) is an independent charitable organization that is leading the fight against hunger by supporting initiatives that focus on eliminating the root causes of hunger in the United States. Administrative costs are paid by Sodexho, Inc. to ensure that all money raised is directed to those in need. Established in 1999, the Sodexho Foundation has been a leading force in the pursuit of a hunger-free nation with its ongoing efforts to provide support to individuals and families facing poverty, unemployment, lack of education and food insecurity. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised and contributed over $5 million. About Sodexho, Inc. Sodexho, Inc. (http://www.sodexhousa.com/) is the leading provider of food and facilities management in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, with $6.3 billion in annual revenue and 125,000 employees. Sodexho offers innovative outsourcing solutions in food service, housekeeping, grounds keeping, plant operations and maintenance, asset management, and laundry services to more than 6,000 corporations, health care, long term care and retirement centers, schools, college campuses, military and remote sites throughout North America. Headquartered in Gaithersburg, MD, Sodexho proudly serves as the official food service provider for the U.S. Marine Corps. DATASOURCE: Sodexho, Inc. CONTACT: Jaya K. Bohlmann of Sodexho, Inc., +1-301-987-4550, Web site: http://www.sodexhousa.com/ http://www.helpstophunger.org/

Copyright