UWIRE PR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Bill Malone (202) 464-8180 bmalone@bread.org
Racine Tucker-Hamilton (202) 464-8196 rhamilton@bread.org

Washington, DC, February 17, 2010 – Bread for the World announced today that it is inviting the best and brightest 20- to 30-year-old college students and recent graduates to apply for its 2010 class of Hunger Justice Leaders. After a highly competitive screening process, selected participants will attend an all-expenses-paid advocacy-training workshop in Washington, DC, June 12-15, 2010.

According to Rev. David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World, those chosen will interact with premier organizing and issue experts; connect with like-minded young leaders from across the country; hone their skills to become inspiring organizers; and visit their members of Congress. “In a world of plenty, hunger is an outrage,” he said. “Our Hunger Justice Leaders have a chance to be part of the solution—to change history for hungry people.”

The last class of Hunger Justice Leaders, 75 in all, came to the nation’s capital two years ago for intensive training in advocacy.

Rev. Beckmann added that since then, they have served as powerful agents of change in their communities. One Missouri student started an anti-poverty initiative on his college campus. Another got her campus InterVarsity group to add hunger advocacy to its ministry, and a Michigan residence hall director helped make Bread for the World more visible within the local, ecumenical community.

Other examples include a young Los Angeles-area professional who helped introduce Bread for the World to emergent Christian communities, and a food bank staff member in nearby Santa Ana who integrated advocacy with the group’s direct service efforts.

Still others have set up Capitol Hill visits, called their members of Congress, and organized Offerings of Letters in their churches.

Candidates can apply by visiting www.bread.org/bealeader. Visitors also can view a 60-second promotional video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4YzpZJrcEg&feature=user. The application deadline is March 12, 2010.

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Bread for the World (www.bread.org) is a collective Christian voice urging our nation’s decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad.

February 17, 2010 (Chicago, IL) – The search for the most ingenious student inventions has begun with the launch of the 2010 James Dyson Award. In previous years, the international student design competition has inspired problem-solving inventions including guide dogs GPS, flat-folding plugs, and a paper cast that can be used in disaster relief.

The award, run by the James Dyson Foundation, celebrates student designers and works to inspire the next generation of engineers. The competition vets design students across the globe for a grand prize of over $15,000, and another $15,000 for the student’s university department. Entries are accepted through July 1, 2010.

The award is James Dyson’s call to action to motivate and educate students about design engineering. “Making things is not about grime and grease, but solving real life problems,” says Dyson. “Now is the time to commit to design and engineering, and to the generations that will define our future.”

Out of more than 400 entries, last year’s winner was Automist, a kitchen sink attachment that detects and extinguishes fires with a fine water mist. The project was developed by British students Yusuf Muhammad and Paul Thomas from the Royal College of Art in London.

“Winning the James Dyson Award has enabled us to transform our idea from a prototype into a viable product – which we’re now close to being able to sell,” says Muhammad. “Without this kind of support, our ideas might be stuck on the drawing board and in the workshop. James Dyson’s endorsement has really opened doors for us.”

A nominee from each participating country – decided in August – will be invited to Dyson laboratories to participate in a workshop run by Dyson engineers. The esteemed panel of judges includes design journalist, Allison Arieff, and Professor of Innovation and Design at Parsons the New School for Design, Bruce Nussbaum.

James Dyson will announce the global winner on October 5, 2010.

For further information on the James Dyson Award, please contact:
Valerie Silvis
valerie.silvis@dyson.com
312-706-2266

About the James Dyson Award
The James Dyson Award is an international design award that celebrates, encourages and inspires the next generation of design engineers. It’s run by the James Dyson Foundation, James Dyson’s charitable trust, as part of its mission to inspire young people about design engineering.

The James Dyson Award winner will receive:

• A James Dyson Award trophy.
• Over $15,000 for the student or the team.
• Over $15,000 for the current or former student’s university department.
• An opportunity to visit Dyson’s engineering facilities either in the UK or Malaysia.

The award is open to any student of design (or graduate within four years of graduation) who is studying or studied in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, UK and USA.

James Dyson Award entrants can submit footage, images and sketched of their ideas to the website, www.jamesdysonaward.org, along with stories detailing their design process and inspiration.

About The James Dyson Foundation
The James Dyson Foundation is a registered charity with the aim of supporting design, technology and engineering education, medical research charities and local community projects. The James Dyson Foundation works with schools and universities around the UK and internationally.

CONTACT:
Jaya Bohlmann
301 346 1239
jaya.bohlmann@sodexo.com

Sodexo Joins First Lady Michelle Obama in National Fight Against Childhood Obesity

Company Supports First Lady’s Initiative; 135,000 students to be positively impacted in next school year alone

GAITHERSBURG, Md., February 9, 2010 — Sodexo, Inc., world leader in Quality of Daily Life solutions, serving more than 2.8 million school meals daily to students in more than 470 school districts nationwide, announced today its participation in First Lady Michelle Obama’s campaign to eliminate childhood obesity within a generation.

Collectively, Sodexo and its industry partners serve over 750 million school meals annually. The agreement will affect 135,000 students in the 2010-2011 school year alone. In addition, representatives estimate a potential increase of 18,700,000 meals conforming to standards outlined in the HealthierUS School Challenge. The school lunch providers expect to reach 2 million families with nutrition information.

Under the agreement, Sodexo and its industry partners have agreed to support the First Lady’s Initiative by including more fruit, juice, vegetable, whole grain and milk options in reimbursable lunches.

“At Sodexo, we know that access to good nutrition as part of a holistic approach that includes exercise and other good lifestyle choices benefit children not only in their health and wellness but also in their ability to achieve academic success,” said Lorna C. Donatone, Sodexo chief operating officer and Education Market president. “We are proud to advance our current programs, now with the partnership of our industry and the leadership of the White House to combat childhood obesity.”

Sodexo also agreed to increase nutrition education efforts aimed at students and parents, as well as encourage broader participation in the USDA’s HealthierUS School Challenge by providing technical assistance and facilitating paperwork requirements for the schools they serve.

Sodexo also commits to working closely with the White House, and continue to work with federal and state agencies, local school districts and others in the private sector to achieve the First Lady’s goal to eliminate childhood obesity this generation.

Over the longer-term, Sodexo and its industry partners commit to working with suppliers to continue to provide healthy food options; undertake research related to cost efficiency and reimbursable meals; work toward meeting the National Institute of Medicine’s recommended standards for fat, sugar, and whole grains over the next 5 years and the standards for sodium through a 5% annual reduction over the next ten years; and work to double produce offered in school meals over the next 10 years. By some estimates, this would result in an increase of 100 million pounds of fruits and vegetables served each year once full value is achieved in 10 years.

Sodexo, Inc.
Sodexo, Inc. (www.sodexoUSA.com), a member of Sodexo Group, is a leading provider of Comprehensive Service Solutions serving more than ten million customers daily in corporations, health care, long term care, retirement, schools, higher education, government and remote sites. Headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., Sodexo, Inc. operates in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, with $7.7 billion (USD) in annual revenue and 120,000 employees. Sodexo Group (www.sodexo.com), founded in 1966, employs 380,000 people who serve 50 million people daily in 80 countries. The Sodexo Foundation (www.SodexoFoundation.org) is an independent charitable organization that, since its founding in 1999, has made more than $12.7 million in grants to fight hunger in America. Visit the corporate blog at www.sodexoUSA.com/blog.

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SAN DIEGO, February 3, 2010– American college students dreaming of a California holiday but low on cash and leery of budget accommodation, can still make their dreams come true and save $$$ by staying at USA Hostels’ award winning locations. The independent hostel chain’s San Diego, San Francisco and Hollywood locations were named the nation’s #1, #2 and #4 hostels, respectively, for 2009 at Hostelworld.com’s annual HOSCAR awards held on January 23. Additionally, the company was recognized as the sixth highest rated hostel chain worldwide.

Hostelworld.com’s HOSCAR annual awards recognize the best hostels in the world as rated by over 1 million customers. Customers review the hostels on six criteria: Character, Security, Location, Staff, Fun, and Cleanliness.  Approximately 300 hostels in the United States and 23,000 hostels worldwide are listed on Hostelworld.com.

“We hope these awards will help college students become more comfortable about trying hostels when they travel to California. While American hostels have been popular with international travelers, they were not historically popular with American students” commented David Reuter, founder and president of USA Hostels. “However, in the last two years we’ve seen a jump in American college students making hostels their choice for Alternative Spring Break and summer holidays and we hope that trend continues. American hostels have stepped up their game, but sometimes students still have the wrong idea of what a hostel is. Customer reviews and ratings on sites like Hostelworld help students feel comfortable choosing hostels that provide strong customer service and safe, comfortable surroundings.”

“To help students learn more about what our hostels are like, we have videos on our website that are like virtual tours through our buildings and show viewers not only the rooms, but some of the activities and tours we do,” Reuter continued. “We know students are on a budget and could always stay at some anonymous budget hotel, so we want them to know they’ll get more value for their money staying at our hostels where we include lots of freebies for our guests. But even more important is that a hostel has a vibe you’ll never get at a hotel. There’s nightly activities like open mic, comedy shows, limo tours and pub crawls, giving students the chance to meet travelers from all around the world. Our receptionists are not just locals but hostel travelers themselves, so they know, and want to share, the insider places to go. And, often, our staff organizes hostel parties and local tours.”

Each hostel in the USA Hostels’ chain provides free breakfast, WiFi, linens, laundry soap and luggage-sized lockers, along with a range of free activities throughout each week, and discounted tickets and tours to area attractions. The hostel provide extra security to valuables and guests by providing plugs inside all the rooms’ lockers for secure charging and storage of electronics and key card entry to their buildings. Many rooms are ensuite and boast pillow-top beds. Privates feature fridges, microwaves, cable tv, duvets and I-Homes.

Reuter added, “We know that having the nicest hostel facilities is not enough and we work everyday to earn trust in our hostels and continually focus on improving our facilities, operations, and customer service.”

In 2009, USA Hostels’ California locations completed a number of upgrades including bathroom and dorm room renovations, the opening of a 50-seat theatre in the San Francisco location, a redesign of the Hollywood location’s lobby and all new beds in the San Diego location. All locations continued ongoing customer service training and added more guest activities.

USA Hostels operates high-quality budget accommodations in Hollywood, San Diego, San Francisco and Las Vegas. Founded in San Diego in 1994, USA Hostels offers a choice of shared dormitory rooms or private rooms to independent travelers from all over the globe along with fully equipped guest kitchens and lounges.

For more information please contact Maria Argyropoulos, Vice President of Operations, 323 359-7577.

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Additional comments: Website, videos and photos: www.usahostels.com.

LOS ANGELES, CA; February 2, 2010 — The creator of the original screenplay FLEAPORT invites filmmakers, students (and all creative types who enjoy winning cold-hard cash) to help spread the word about FLEAPORT. All contestants must enter their version of one of two scene choices from the screenplay. Content can be found by visiting http://Fleaport.webs.com.

The FLEAPORT national film contest is accepting submissions until Monday, March 1, 2010. To enter, simply create your video, post it on YouTube.com and friend “ALEXANDER’S AND FLEAPORT” on Facebook with your video attached. The winner will be announced on March 8, 2010 and will be rewarded with $1000 in cash. There is no entry fee, no limit on the number of submissions. Contest limited to U.S. residents only. All entered videos become the property of FLEAPORT to be used in any marketing in connection with the FLEAPORT project. More details can be found by visiting http://Fleaport.webs.com.

About Fleaport
Anyone who grew up on the Nassau County/Queens border in the 80’s remembers Fleaport. Definitely not just your average flea market by the airport, Fleaport was a an experience, a world where people came together over great food, colorful vendors and the spirit of discovery.

Between 1981 and into the 21st century, Fleaport was a place where everyone was welcome and nobody walked away empty-handed. Shopping was fun and wild, and you were just as likely to come home with a date as a new pair of boots. Now filmmakers are invited to share their original vision of this unique market.

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APPLY NOW TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT IN MIAMI, TWIN CITIES, LONG BEACH, DENVER AND PHILADELPHIA

LOS ANGELES – January 19, 2010 – Red Bull Flugtag is flying across the U.S. this summer with five events from coast to coast! This outrageous flying competition will kick off the year in Miami on July 10th, followed by a debut in Minnesota’s Twin Cities on July 24th, a flight into Southern California’s Long Beach Harbor on August 7th, and a mile-high trip to Denver on August 28th. Philadelphia will host the final U.S. Red Bull Flugtag of 2010 along the banks of the Delaware River on September 4th.

Applications can be downloaded at www.redbullflugtagusa.com and are now being accepted either online or via snail-mail. If you’ve got the guts, want the glory, or just know someone you’d like to push off a 30-foot high ramp, don’t miss what could be the flight of your life!

WINGS OF WISDOM

For all first-time flyers, Red Bull Flugtag, which means “flying day” in German, is a competition that dares both the brave and the brainy to design, build and pilot homemade flying machines off a 30-foot high ramp in hopes of achieving human-powered flight. But don’t be fooled – this is no ordinary flying competition. While distance is important, creativity and showmanship are necessary to impress the judges. These criteria have inspired such outrageous crafts as a sky-high Popemobile, an airborne outhouse, a flying fire engine, and even a replica of Santa and his sleigh to test their wings at Red Bull Flugtag.

While the sky may be the limit on creativity, there are still a few flight regulations. First off, all flying machines must be entirely human-powered (no external energy sources or stored power, so forget about the slingshots, catapults or anything besides your own burliness.) Second, no matter what they say, size does matter – all crafts must be less than 30 feet wide and must weigh no more than 450lbs (including the pilot).

SETTING THE BAR

Since the first Red Bull Flugtag took place in Vienna, Austria, in 1991, more than 80 Flugtags have been held around the globe, attracting up to 300,000 spectators for a single event. The record for the farthest flight-to-date currently stands at 195 feet and was set at Red Bull Flugtag Austria in 2000, but the U.S. record is not far behind, standing at 155 feet and set in 2007 at Red Bull Flugtag Nashville. After a year away from the U.S. skies, the pressure is on for this year’s Flugtag flyers to blow these records away!

Red Bull Flugtag is free and open to the public. For more information, including applications, photos, and video footage from past Red Bull Flugtag events, visit www.redbullflugtagusa.com. For media inquires, contact Ellie Applen at (323) 573-5719 or ellieapplen@redbullflugtagusa.com.

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Additional Comments
Video:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=JE_vkcCfewI

Up to five $5,000 winners to be named; Application period runs January 1 – February 26, 2010

GAITHERSBURG, Md., January 5, 2009 – The Sodexo Foundation is accepting applications for its national STOP Hunger Scholarship program on January 1, 2010. The scholarships were first introduced in 2007 in order to support the education of young people who are working to end hunger in communities across the country – and to draw attention to the innovative and effective solutions that they are implementing toward ending hunger in their lifetime.

“The problem of hunger in America is getting worse as the recession and high unemployment continue,” said Stephen J. Brady, president of the Sodexo Foundation. “The STOP Hunger Scholarship program recognizes the efforts of young people who – despite their young ages – recognize the injustice of this national tragedy and are making a real difference in the fight against hunger.”

In November, a United States Department of Agriculture survey documented that 17 million American households (nearly 15 percent) were “food insecure” in 2008, compared with 13 million in 2007.

Up to five students selected as national winners will each receive a $5,000 scholarship award and a matching $5,000 grant in their name, for the hunger-related charity of their choice.  The scholarships will be presented on June 10, 2010 at the Sodexo Foundation Dinner in Washington, D.C.  In addition, up to 20 regional winners will receive a $1,000 grant in their name, for the hunger-related charity of their choice. To be eligible, students must be enrolled in an accredited education institution (kindergarten through graduate school) in the United States and be able to demonstrate an on going commitment to hunger-relief activities in their community.

The deadline for applications is February 26, 2010.  For a complete description of the program or an online application visit www.SodexoFoundation.org.

Sodexo, Inc.
Sodexo, Inc. (www.sodexoUSA.com), a member of Sodexo Group, is a leading provider of Comprehensive Service Solutions serving more than ten million customers daily in corporations, health care, long term care, retirement, schools, higher education, government and remote sites. Headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., Sodexo, Inc. operates in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, with $7.7 billion (USD) in annual revenue and 120,000 employees. The Sodexo Foundation (www.SodexoFoundation.org) is an independent charitable organization that, since its founding in 1999, has made more than $12.7 million in grants to fight hunger in America. Visit the corporate blog at www.sodexoUSA.com/blog.

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CONTACT: Monica Zimmer
301 987 4461
monica.zimmer@sodexo.com

2010 College Food Trends: Students Crave Global, National and Regional Comfort Food with a Twist

Sodexo’s College Food Trends List Reveals Locally-Grown, Everyday Favorites from Home and Abroad, and Vegetarian Fare on the Rise

GAITHERSBURG, Md., December 14, 2009 — Sodexo, leader in Quality of Life Solutions, and foodservice provider to 600 campuses in the United States, carefully monitors students’ taste buds because good food boosts a student’s college experience. This year’s college food trends list reveals students want locally-sourced food that provides comfort with a twist. Items that top the list are regional and global comfort foods.

Sodexo’s culinary team and customer insight experts released a food trends list for 2010:

College Food Trends in 2010
1.    Apricot-glazed Turkey
2.    Meatloaf with Frizzle-Fried Onions
3.    Vietnamese Pho (Rice Noodle Soup)
4.    Vegetarian Lentil Shepherd’s Pie
5.    Chicken Adobo (Mexican Stew with Chilies)
6.    Stuffed Pork Chops
7.    Vegetarian Jambalaya
8.    Lemon Herbed Baked Tilapia
9.    Rotisserie Chicken
10.    Home Style Pot Roast

Sodexo tracks research on the latest flavor trends, holds frequent taste-test focus groups with students, and consults with its team of topnotch chefs to develop this list.

“Comfort food is trendy for students because familiar favorites can alleviate stress linked to studying and being away from home,” said Tom Post, Sodexo president of campus services. “The biggest change we’re seeing is that students are expanding the category of feel-good foods to include comfort world cuisine, such as a Mexican stew or a Vietnamese noodle soup and they are more open to vegetarian dishes with a flair.”

Another interesting trend shows that students who attend college out of state love to explore regional fare in their new home away from home. Sodexo’s culinary team in each region identified the top favorites of college students.

“Being exposed to the cuisine of the region where you’re studying is part of the college experience for students,” said Chef Rob Morasco, senior director of offer development for Sodexo. “A student from New England who attends Tulane in New Orleans might adopt red beans and rice as comfort food, while a Southerner studying at MIT might make clam chowder a new favorite.”

College Campus Favorites by Region:

•   South Central Region: Red Beans and Rice
•    Midwest: Home Style Roast Beef
•    Northwest: Classic Carved Turkey
•    Mid Atlantic: Chicken Pot Pie
•    Northeast: New England Clam Chowder
•    Southeast: Traditional Meatloaf
•    Southwest: Fish Tacos

The 2010 College Food Trends list was developed by Sodexo’s Customer Insight team with research from Sodexo’s Student Board of Directors, student Food Choice Awards events, Nielsen’s Annual Restaurant Audit, Teenage Research Unlimited, Technomics Menu Monitor, NPD Group, Sodexo’s culinary team of chefs and vendor partners.

Sodexo, Inc.
Sodexo, Inc. (www.sodexoUSA.com), a member of Sodexo Group, is a leading provider of Comprehensive Service Solutions serving more than ten million customers daily in corporations, health care, long term care, retirement, schools, higher education, government and remote sites. Headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., Sodexo, Inc. operates in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, with $7.7 billion (USD) in annual revenue and 120,000 employees. The Sodexo Foundation (www.SodexoFoundation.org) is an independent charitable organization that, since its founding in 1999, has made more than $12.7 million in grants to fight hunger in America. Visit the corporate blog at www.sodexoUSA.com/blog.

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Contact:
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
206.709.3400
media@gatesfoundation.org

Media Advisory
December 7, 2009

Alert: Conference Call News Briefing on Dec. 9 at 11 a.m. EST/8 a.m. PST

Only 1 in 5 Community College Students Graduate Within 3 Years
New research from Public Agenda explores why so many quit school

New York—On December 9, Public Agenda will release new national research revealing why so many young adults start college but never graduate. The report, “With Their Whole Lives Ahead of Them,” is based on a national survey of young adults and reveals the top challenges they faced while in college and what they say would have helped them graduate. Nationwide, less than half of all college students graduate within six years, according to the U.S. Department of Education. At community colleges, the numbers are more stark: nearly 80 percent of students do not graduate within three years.

Last February, President Obama set a goal to again make America first in the world in the percentage of adults with a postsecondary credential, citing the goal as a necessary step in restoring the nation’s economic competitiveness. “With Their Whole Lives Ahead of Them” provides insight into the lives of today’s college students, and identifies solutions that could help solve the nation’s college completion problem.

The research was supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as part of its efforts to ensure that all young people in the United States have the opportunity to earn a degree beyond high school and compete in today’s global economy.

What:
Media briefing conference call to discuss new research on why young adults do not complete college

Who:
Jean Johnson, Executive Vice President, Public Agenda
Ian Rowe, Deputy Director, US Program, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Frankie Barria, a former student who will speak about juggling work and school

Call:
Please RSVP for this briefing – Space is limited
Dial In: 888-820-9410
** Contact Susie Rantz at 206-694-0016 or Susie.Rantz@gmmb.com to secure placement on the call**

When:
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
11:00 a.m. EST (8:00 a.m. PST)

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CONTACT: Jaya K. Bohlmann
301 987 4550
jaya.bohlmann@sodexo.com

Sodexo Launches “The Better Tomorrow Plan” for Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility

Sodexo will engage clients, suppliers and customers in North America to measure results related to environmental stewardship, health and wellness, and community development

GAITHERSBURG, Md., December 3, 2009 — Sodexo, Inc., a leader in Quality of Life Solutions, announced broad and detailed commitments for sustainability and corporate social responsibility. The Better Tomorrow Plan adds a global approach to Sodexo’s continuing commitment to improving the quality of daily life for customers in three key areas of the environment, health and wellness, and community development.

At the core of The Better Tomorrow Plan are 14 commitments that will be implemented across the company with clear metrics to track the progress of Sodexo’s work to:

•    Protect and restore the environment
•    Support local community development
•    Promote health and wellness

“We believe that as one of North America’s leading companies we have a unique position to use our size and influence to help tackle some of the most important global, national and local concerns facing our planet,” said George Chavel, president and CEO, Sodexo North America. “The Better Tomorrow Plan with its 14 Commitments will make a significant impact towards helping our clients fulfill their own sustainability objectives.  Further, it will engage our customers and employees in helping to make changes that will have a positive impact on our planet for future generations.”

Noting that Sodexo impacts the lives of more than 10 million people daily in North America and a total of 50 million worldwide, Chavel added: “With this enormous reach comes a significant responsibility to ensure that our actions help improve the quality of daily life and guarantee a more sustainable future for the planet.”

Chavel noted that Sodexo’s measurement tools and practices currently under development will be a key differentiator for the company’s Better Tomorrow Plan.

To learn more about Sodexo’s The Better Tomorrow Plan and 14 Commitments on sustainability and corporate social responsibility, please visit http://www.sodexousa.com/usen/citizenship/citizenship.asp.

Sodexo, Inc.
Sodexo, Inc. is a leading on-site service solutions provider in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, with $7.7 billion (USD) in annual revenue and 120,000 employees. Sodexo serves more than 10 million customers daily in corporations, health care, long term care and retirement centers, schools, college campuses, government, and remote sites. Sodexo, Inc., headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., is a member of Sodexo Group, and funds all administrative costs for the Sodexo Foundation, an independent charitable organization that, since its founding in 1999, has made more than $11 million in grants to fight hunger in America.

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