More than $3 million targets programs to fight obesity
Published 10-18-13
Submitted by The Coca-Cola Foundation
The Coca-Cola Foundation awarded US$8.1 million to 47 community organizations during the third quarter of 2013. Through these grants, 3.8 million people worldwide will have increased access to personal well-being, environmental and community empowerment programs.
“The health and well-being of our families and communities concern everyone,” said Lisa M. Borders, Chair of The Coca-Cola Foundation. “We are taking an active role working with grassroots community organizations to find solutions to those major issues affecting our world today.
“One of the Foundation’s strategic goals is to encourage access to physical activity and nutritional education programs,” Borders said. “More than one-third of the programs funded during this grant cycle increase access for people of all ages and abilities to become more physically active and healthy.”
“There is solid evidence of the gaps in physical activity in Europe – between countries and between population groups,” said Mogens Kirkeby, President of International Sport and Culture Association (ISCA), which received a $950,000 grant from The Coca-Cola Foundation to support its MOVE Activation program. “We need to close those gaps and boost physical activity levels.
“Coca-Cola’s contribution will allow ISCA to develop and enhance initiatives for hard-to-reach populations and thereby bring physical activity into the lives of some of the least active groups in society.” ISCA is a non-governmental association based in Copenhagen, Denmark. Its MOVE Activation program will encourage 100 million Europeans to become active by 2020 by expanding and standardizing sports and activity programming.
During the third quarter, the Foundation awarded $2.8 million to support active healthy living initiatives, $2.5 million to support education initiatives, $1.1 million to support recycling initiatives, $1.2 million to support water initiatives, and $650,000 to support youth development and other local community priorities. Year to date, the Foundation has awarded $58.5 million worldwide.
Some of the organizations receiving grant funding during the third quarter include:
WELL-BEING
Active Healthy Living
PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
Water
Recycling
BUILDING STRONG COMMUNITIES
Education/Youth Development
About The Coca-Cola Foundation
The Coca-Cola Foundation is the global philanthropic arm of The Coca-Cola Company. Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded more than $500 million in grants to support sustainable community initiatives around the world. For more information about The Coca-Cola Foundation, please go to www.coca-colacompany.com/our-company/the-coca-cola-foundation.
About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Led by Coca-Cola, one of the world's most valuable and recognizable brands, our Company's portfolio features 16 billion-dollar brands including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply, Georgia and Del Valle. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, ready-to-drink coffees, and juices and juice drinks. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy our beverages at a rate of more than 1.8 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, support active, healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. Together with our bottling partners, we rank among the world's top 10 private employers with more than 700,000 system associates. For more information, visit Coca-Cola Journey at www.coca-colacompany.com, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CocaColaCo, visit our blog, Coca-Cola Unbottled, at www.coca-colablog.com or find us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/the-coca-cola-company.
Since its inception, The Coca-Cola Foundation has donated more than $355 million to community projects and initiatives across the globe. For more information about The Coca-Cola Foundation, please go to http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/citizenship/foundation_coke.html
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