CHICAGO, Aug. 24, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As school children across the nation head back to school, Carl Buddig & Company will hit the road with Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), the nation's largest children's literacy nonprofit, to sponsor read-aloud events and book giveaways as part of the national Be A Reader campaign. Through the Be A Reader partnership, the lunchmeat brand is donating $100,000 to RIF to support children's literacy programs nationwide.
The Be A Reader tour will make stops in San Diego, Calif., Phoenix, Ariz., San Antonio, Texas, Dallas, Texas, Minneapolis, Minn., Cincinnati, Ohio, St. Louis, Mo., Milwaukee, Wis., Atlanta, Ga., and Washington, D.C.
"We're thrilled to be sponsoring the Be A Reader Back-to-School tour to help provide books and literacy resources to young children from coast-to-coast," said Tom Buddig, executive vice president marketing, Carl Buddig & Company. "As a family owned company, we are committed to supporting causes that celebrate family values. Our partnership with RIF gives underserved children access to good books and lays the foundation for future learning while promoting an everyday interest in reading."
"RIF's partnership with Carl Buddig & Company will provide many children at risk of educational failure with critical access to books so they can read and achieve this school year and beyond. We are thankful for their commitment to RIF and the millions of underserved children across the country," said Carol H. Rasco, president and CEO of RIF.
The Be A Reader campaign extends through May of 2012 and encourages families to enjoy reading time together through activities, special promotions, and community outreach. Now through Oct. 30 families can also participate in the Sandwich And A Story Sweepstakes (Buddig.com/SandwichAndAStory) for a chance to win a Scholastic book library and a Buddig backpack filled with school supplies.
To participate in the Be A Reader campaign, visit buddig.com. To make a donation to RIF, visit www.rif.org/donate.
About Carl Buddig & Company:
Carl Buddig & Company, based in Homewood, Ill., has been nourishing young minds for more than 100 years with the very best in taste, variety and convenience. Now Buddig is nourishing young minds as a proud supporter of Reading is Fundamental (RIF). Carl Buddig & Company is a family owned, privately held company managed by the third generation of the original founder. The Buddig family business got its start as a butcher shop on Chicago's south side in the 1880s. Since 1940 Carl Buddig & Company has offered thin-sliced lean meats for sandwiches, snacks and special recipes. Visit www.buddig.com for more information about Carl Buddig products.
About Reading Is Fundamental, Inc. (RIF)
Reading Is Fundamental, Inc. (RIF), founded in 1966, motivates children to read by working with them, their parents, and community members to make reading a fun and beneficial part of everyday life. RIF's highest priority is reaching underserved children from birth to age 8. Through community volunteers in every state and U.S. territory, RIF provided 4 million children with 15 million new, free books and literacy resources last year. For more information and to access reading resources, visit RIF's website at www.rif.org.
Discover the Joy!
Mary Brophy, Buddig, 414-220-4858, mbrophy@jacobsonrost.com
Melissa Mills, RIF, 202-536-3528, mmills@rif.org
This information was brought to you by Cision http://www.cisionwire.com
http://www.cisionwire.com/carl-buddig---company/r/carl-buddig---company-and-reading-is-fundamental-kick-off-the-be-a-reader-back-to-school-tour,c9153814
The following pictures are available for download:
| [Image] | Be A Reader Tour Book Donation |