Business Wire - Wednesday, July 28, 1999

Today, seven AIDS service organizations across California serving people living with HIV/AIDS received Positive Helpings awards totaling $98,500 from Philip Morris Companies Inc.

The company's $600,000 national Positive Helpings initiative is a partnership with the National AIDS Fund and the AIDS Nutrition Services Alliance (ANSA) to support innovative efforts that fight hunger and improve nutrition for people living with HIV/AIDS. All local organizations are required to find matching funds, thus enabling the grantees to double the support for people living with the disease.

In total, 38 organizations in 25 states will receive a Positive Helpings award, which will address the needs of a broad range of individuals living with HIV/AIDS, including women and children, minorities, and people living in under-served rural areas.

"We are very pleased that Project Angel Food is a recipient of Positive Helpings funds," said John Gile, executive director of Project Angel Food. "At a time when funding for AIDS programs is decreasing, it's great to learn that the Philip Morris program is actually distributing significantly more funds this year. Project Angel Food is proud to partner with the Positive Helpings Program, and join the many other AIDS nutrition programs across the country receiving similar grants."

According to the Centers for Disease Control, California has the second highest number of diagnosed AIDS cases in the country. Today's California grant beneficiaries are located in Concord, Forestville, Irvine, Los Angeles, Oakland, Pasadena and San Diego.

Announcing the awards, Steven C. Parrish, senior vice president, corporate affairs, Philip Morris Companies Inc., said: "Our Positive Helpings initiative addresses the critical relationship between nutrition and the health of people who are HIV positive. As the largest corporate funder of anti-hunger programs in America and one of the first companies to respond to the AIDS epidemic, we are committed to finding reasonable solutions that focus on the special nutritional needs of individuals living with the disease. We are proud that our support will provide balanced meals for thousands of men, women, and children nationwide."

The National AIDS Fund is a community-based organization dedicated to eliminating HIV/AIDS as a major health and social problem. Since 1988, the National AIDS Fund has been working in partnership with its Community Partnership Sites to generate the resources for HIV prevention and care services. Incorporated in 1997, ANSA is a membership association comprised of 100 organizations in the U.S. and abroad that provide nutrition services for people living with HIV/AIDS.

In 1999, the Philip Morris family of companies -- which includes Kraft Foods, Inc. and Miller Brewing Company -- launched a four-year, $100 million campaign to combat hunger. The Philip Morris Fight Against Hunger initiative includes $50 million in cash contributions and $50 million in food donations. It is believed to be the nation's most ambitious corporate response to this pressing social issue, which affects as many as 35 million Americans, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Fighting hunger is just one way Philip Morris has been helping people in need for more than 40 years. Philip Morris Companies Inc. has five principal operating companies: Kraft Foods, Inc. (comprised of Kraft Foods North America and Kraft Foods International); Miller Brewing Company; Philip Morris International Inc.; Philip Morris Incorporated (PM U.S.A.); and Philip Morris Capital Corporation. The Philip Morris family of companies is the world's largest producer and marketer of consumer packaged goods.

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Philip Morris "Positive Helpings" Initiative 1999 California Grants

CALIFORNIA

Concord

Diablo Valley AIDS Center -- $5,500 to provide grocery bags and frozen meals to 100 women and children impacted by HIV.

Forestville

Food For Thought -- Sonoma County AIDS Food Bank -- $5,000 to increase the nutritional content of weekly grocery bags by including fresh produce and meat. The grant will help feed 425 people.

Irvine

AIDS Services Foundation of Orange County -- $15,000 to expand the food pantry and provide a minimum of 65 HIV-infected clients with groceries, fresh produce, and food vouchers.

Los Angeles

Project Angel Food -- $20,000 to support the preparation and delivery of frozen meals to a minimum of 200 clients in Los Angeles County and to provide groceries to 411 individuals and families through the Bienestar operated food bank.

Oakland

The Center for AIDS Services -- $15,000 to save the program from having to close its doors. The grant provides kitchen equipment that meets new Health Department code requirements, enabling the program to continue serving 100 current clients and 300 new clients.

Pasadena

AIDS Service Center -- $27,000 to provide Cub Food Packs (specialized nutritious food packages) twice a month for 250 children affected by HIV.

San Diego

Mama's Kitchen -- $11,000 to provide lunch and dinner to 20 additional clients living with HIV who are transient and/or homeless.

CONTACT: Philip Morris Companies, Inc K. Richmond Temple, 917/633-2755 or Southern CA Groups: Sarah Cheaure, 323/466-3445 Northern CA Groups: Preston Turner, 415/591-4068
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