Recognizes their work in fighting childhood obesity through the Kids in the Kitchen program

New York, NY – April 21, 2012 – The Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. today announced that 29 Junior Leagues across the U.S. have received cash awards from Kashi, the premier natural food and lifestyle company, to support the Junior Leagues’ Kids in the Kitchen program. Now in its seventh year, Junior Leagues’ Kids in the Kitchen is one of the most successful volunteer-driven programs addressing childhood obesity and nutrition with more than 200 individual Leagues participating in the effort. 

AJLI President Delly Beekman said, “We’re honored that Kashi has recognized the great work Junior Leagues do every day in their communities as well as the success of our Kids in the Kitchen program, one of the first community-based approaches to fighting childhood obesity. These 29 Leagues will use their awards to sustain and expand their KITK activities and, in doing so, honor the great work that Kashi is doing to support organizations like AJLI that are working to keep ‘real food’ in the minds and hands of communities throughout the country.”

The winning Leagues are: Greater Orlando, FL;  El Paso, TX; Chicago, IL; Tampa, FL; Tulsa, OK; Greater Fort Lauderdale, FL; Cedar Rapids, IA; Kalamazoo, MI;  Longview, TX;  Baton Rouge, LA;  Wheeling, WV; Gwinnet & North Fulton Counties, GA; Columbia, SC; Atlanta, GA; Tyler, TX; Milwaukee, WI; Las Vegas, NV; Boca Raton, FL; Cobb-Marietta, GA; Charlotte, NC; Richmond, VA; Napa-Sonoma, CA; Fort Worth, TX; Lincoln, NE; Galveston County, TX; Akron, OH; Birmingham, AL; Fargo-Moorhead, ND; Birmingham, MI.

“We believe that real food can truly change people’s lives.  Unfortunately, many communities have limited resources to make an impact,” says Lara Gish, Ambassador for REAL Goodwill at Kashi.  “Our mission with the Kashi REAL Project is to help more people enjoy real, wholesome foods through education and greater access. We are truly proud to support the Junior Leagues' Kids in the Kitchen program, that has inspired kids and families in more than 200 communities to adopt healthier habits.”

About The Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc.

Founded in 1901 by New Yorker and social activism pioneer, Mary Harriman, the Junior Leagues are charitable nonprofit organizations of women, developed as civic leaders, creating demonstrable community impact.

Today, The Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. (AJLI) is comprised of more than 155,000 women in 293 Junior Leagues throughout Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom and the United States.  Together, they constitute one of the largest, most effective volunteer organizations in the world.