Events

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. — Luxury appliance maker Jenn-Air has signed on as the exclusive major appliance sponsor of the second annual Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival.

This 2012 Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival will feature more than 50 events including wine seminars, unique dining experiences, and cooking demonstrations. The event will host more than 130 celebrated chefs and 200 acclaimed wineries, with proceeds raised benefiting St. Vincent Meals on Wheels.

NEW YORK — Gap has launched its Shine On campaign, which features a ballerina, comedian, DJ, violinist and anti-bullying advocate alongside the winners of Gap’s sixth annual casting call contest.

ST. LOUIS — Save-A-Lot is raising awareness for its stores as a destination for affordable food with the help of two contest winners. Molly Stankovsky and Alex Frecon, who won a national competition, will lead the retailer's "2012 Fuel Your Family Road Trip" across 18 cities in 30 days.

General Growth Properties malls across the country have partnered with online charity DonorsChoose.org for its Celebrate Schools! philanthropic initiative. 

The partnership is designed to shine the spotlight on the importance of a quality education and assist local schools and teachers with much-needed supplies and funding.

Chicago -- General Growth Properties said Friday it has established a partnership with online charity organization DonorsChoose.org as part of GGP’s Celebrate Schools! philanthropic initiative.

The partnership is designed to assist local schools and teachers with supplies and funding.

MINNEAPOLIS — Target is using the power of social media to help raise money for needy schools. The retailer has launched a campaign via its Facebook page that will enable fans to vote for schools they think deserve a share of Target's $5 million “Give With Target” initiative this fall. The two-part giving campaign provides $2.5 million in grants to in-need schools, as well as up to $2.5 million in Target GiftCards to local schools.

Lakewood, Colo. -- Outlet and value shopping center Colorado Mills announced the hiring of Deborah Celaya as director of marketing and business development.

In her new role, Celaya will be responsible for strategic marketing, business development, public relations, tenant relations, guest services and tourism.

Celaya most recently held a senior executive position at Race Partners, and has previously served as group VP for General Growth Properties.

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Walmart Canada has invited more than 550 kids and 350 parents to participate in the first-ever Great Big Toy Testing Event. Taking place on July 21, the event gives kids and parents the opportunity to interact with more than 100 toys and will help the retailer determine the top toy list for the 2012 holiday season.

Dollar General shoppers have until Aug. 19 to participate in a PepsiCo cause marketing initiative involving country mega star Brad Paisley.

SALISBURY, N.C. — Food Lion continues to roll out its new brand strategy, this time bringing the program to 269 stores in North Carolina and South Carolina, including its headquarter city of Salisbury, N.C. 

Food Lion's brand strategy offers customers lower prices on 6,000 items throughout the store and access to quality store brand products at lower prices, including the company's my essentials value tier, as well as enhanced produce and an easy and convenient shopping experience, such as faster checkout.