Kohl’s Department Stores (NYSE: KSS) today announced an $800,000 donation to Hunger Task Force in Milwaukee to ensure that the emergency need for food is met now, when food pantry shelves are low on essentials such as peanut butter, dry milk and canned vegetables. The donation will help provide appropriate food supplies throughout the year for the approximately 35,000 people that rely on food pantries and soup kitchens in the area each month. With the uncertain economy, many charitable organizations are faced with a greater demand for services, and according to the Nonprofit Research Collaborative, 30 percent of charitable organizations reported a decrease in fundraising from last year*. The donation is funded through the Kohl’s Cares^®cause merchandise program, which sells special merchandise, including plush toys and books, and donates 100 percent of the net profit to benefit children’s health and education initiatives nationwide.

Just in time for the holiday season, part of the donation immediately filled emergency food supplies at Hunger Task Force’s network of 82 food pantries, soup kitchens and homeless shelters throughout the Milwaukee area, providing dry milk, cereal, peanut butter, canned vegetables and soup as well as other food staples that were in urgent need. The remainder of the donation will be used to ensure appropriate supplies of food to Hunger Task Force’s network of food pantries and soup kitchens throughout the year.

“Everyone at Kohl’s was deeply moved when Hunger Task Force informed us that they would be unable to provide some of their crucial services due to lack of funds. We felt fortunate to be in a position to help during this time of need,” said Julie Gardner, Kohl’s executive vice president and chief marketing officer. “Nearly 60,000 meals are served at soup kitchens in Milwaukee each month – and about half of those served are children. Our partnership with Hunger Task Force, through our Kohl’s Serving Up Supper for Kids Program, is dedicated to fighting hunger for kids in our community. We are very proud of the service that Hunger Task Force provides and know that this additional donation will help fill a critical need for families doing all they can to make ends meet.”

“We are overwhelmed by the generosity of Kohl’s,” said Sherrie Tussler, Hunger Task Force executive director. “They have been amazing partners when creating our Kohl’s Serving Up Supper for Kids Program and, when they heard of our need, they didn’t hesitate in their decision to help fill our pantries. Thousands of families will now have the nutritious meals we strive to provide.”

In January 2011, Kohl’s Cares committed $1.5 million over three years and partnered with Hunger Task Force to create the Kohl’s Serving Up Supper for Kids program, which provides nutritious suppers to Milwaukee children in need throughout the summer months when school meals are not available. Summer is traditionally a high-risk period for hunger because children in need are not receiving their usual school meals. The United States Department of Agriculture has referred to the summer meal program as the “Milwaukee Model” for communities in other states to replicate.

In addition to supporting Hunger Task Force, Kohl’s and Kohl’s Cares have combined to give more than $39 million since 2000, to support charitable initiatives in the metro-Milwaukee area, including the following recent contributions:

• $2.7 million over three years to the Milwaukee Art Museum
• $1 million over four years to the Zoological Society of Milwaukee County
• $2 million donation over three years to Discovery World
• $7 million donation over three years to the Southeast Wisconsin affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the American Cancer Society’s Midwest Division
• $3 million donation over three years to Junior Achievement of Wisconsin
• $1 million donation over three years to Penfield Children’s Center 

For more information about Kohl’s Serving Up Supper for Kids or how you can help Hunger Task Force, log on to HungerTaskForce.org. For more information about Kohl’s philanthropic and community initiatives, visit www.Kohls.com/Cares.

About Hunger Task Force

Hunger Task Force believes that every person has a right to adequate food obtained with dignity.  Hunger Task Force works to prevent hunger and malnutrition by providing food to people in need today and by promoting social policies to achieve a hunger free community tomorrow.  Visit HungerTaskForce.org. 

About Kohl’s Department Stores

Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) is a family-focused, value-oriented specialty department store offering moderately priced, exclusive and national brand apparel, shoes, accessories, beauty and home products in an exciting shopping environment. With a commitment to environmental leadership, Kohl’s operates 1,127 stores in 49 states. In support of the communities it serves, Kohl’s has raised more than $180 million for children’s initiatives nationwide through its Kohl’s Cares® cause merchandise program, which operates under Kohl's Cares, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kohl's Department Stores, Inc. For a list of store locations and information, or for the added convenience of shopping online, visit www.Kohls.com.

*Nonprofit Research Collaborative Summer/Early Fall 2011, September 2011

Kohl's Department Stores

Kohl's Department Stores

Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) is a family-focused, value-oriented specialty department store offering moderately priced, exclusive and national brand apparel, shoes, accessories, beauty and home products in an exciting shopping environment. With a commitment to environmental leadership, Kohl’s operates 1,155 stores in 49 states. In support of the communities it serves, Kohl’s has raised more than $231 million for children’s initiatives nationwide through its Kohl’s Cares® cause merchandise program, which operates under Kohl's Cares, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kohl's Department Stores, Inc. For a list of store locations and information, or for the added convenience of shopping online, visit www.Kohls.com, join the discussion on Facebook (facebook.com/Kohls) or Twitter (twitter.com/Kohls) or get inspired on Pinterest (pinterest.com/Kohls) and Instagram (instagram.com/Kohls).

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