General Mills Champions Grants Awarded to Help Children Nationwide Develop Skills to Eat Healthy...

Lifestyle Editors/Business Editors

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 24, 2004

Program is a Partnership of the General Mills Foundation, American

Dietetic Association Foundation and President's Challenge

Fifty nonprofit community groups across the U.S. received

Now in its second year, the General Mills Champions program is a long-term partnership between the General Mills Foundation, the American Dietetic Association Foundation and the President's Challenge. Additional components of the initiative include sponsorship of the Presidential Active Lifestyle Awards (PALA), as well as the development of nutrition and fitness mentoring models.

The initiative provides grants of $10,000 to schools or nonprofit community groups with programs that equip children and their families with skills they need to eat a balanced diet and exercise on a regular basis.

This year's grant winners include programs such as Splash! Kids Aquatic Program for low-income African-American families in Philadelphia. Others include the Reading, Running and Celery Sticks program in St. Louis that combines physical activities with a reading program for 3-5-year-olds; Portland's Healthy Start Program-Nutrition and Fitness Services that targets first-time mothers between the ages of 16 and 20; Give Me Five, an after-school program in Paul, Idaho in which healthy snacks will be served, 20 minutes will be devoted to physical activities, and a registered dietitian will present a weekly nutrition activity for students.

"Our success with the program last year demonstrates the power of partnering with local organizations across America to provide young people with the tools they need to live healthy, balanced and active lives," said Chris Shea, president of the General Mills Foundation. "The program dovetails with the long-term work of the President's Challenge, the ADAF and General Mills."

Utilizing its resources and expertise on nutrition issues, the ADAF plays a critical role in evaluating the grant proposals. In addition to the grants, the General Mills Foundation provides support for up to 50,000 young people who participate in the President's Challenge and earn the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA) for their commitment to a physically active and fit lifestyle.