General Mills involvement in United Way and the General Mills Foundation puts them on-track to make a difference inthe lives of many individuals in the Belvidere Community.

This year's record-setting United Way campaign from General Mills Green Giant in Belvidere came as the result of a lot of hard work and generosity on behalf of the entire Belvidere team. Through employee pledges, a parking lot sale, a silent auction, and the General Mills Foundation match, the plant raised more than $373,000.

As with previous years, the annual parking lot sale generates a large portion of the plant's donation. More than 200 employees and their families helped with the sale, and customers came from a three state area to buy product at a discounted price. The sale raises close to $80,000. Also popular this year was a silent auction, which raised more than $16,000. Among the items up for bid were Bears/Packers football tickets, weekend getaway packages and a refrigerator. A record set this year, 99 percent of plant employees also made pledges to the United Way, totaling nearly $140,000.00

In all, the donation from the Belvidere United Way represents over 60 percent of the total local United Way budget. This year's campaign also raised 10 percent more than last year's campaign. Because of team Belvidere's generosity, thousands of people in the Belvidere area will have better social services, education programs and emergency assistance. They are truly on track and making a difference!

General Mills Foundation

The General Mills Foundation was created in 1954 to focus the philanthropic resources of General Mills on community needs. Most of our resources are focused on communities with General Mills facilities and employees. The Foundation's mission is to provide financial support to nonprofit organizations that create sustainable community improvement in the areas of social service, education, arts and culture, and youth nutrition and fitness.

The General Mills Green Giant Community Action Council operated by employee volunteers is dedicated to championing the Belvidere Community through The General Mills Foundation. This councils review funding applications from Belvidere and suggest projects that meet Foundation funding guidelines.

"Our team has a lot of pride in the fact that they know what we give back to the community in comparison to others," stated Vince Castle, General Mills plant manager. "We excel in this area and I am very proud of our generous team members because they understand the importance of giving back to the community."