Bi-Lo, Coca-Cola partner on Operation Phone Home

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Bi-Lo and Coca-Cola have partnered with the USO to support its Operation Phone Home program, which connects troops deployed overseas with their families back home through, among other things, a private phone network. For every rotisserie meal bundle sold at all Bi-Lo stores, Coca-Cola will donate $1 to OPH, which buys troops about 20 minutes of talk time.

“When a service member is deployed overseas, separated from their friends and family, sometimes for long periods of time, nothing means more to them than to be able to hear the voice of a loved one,” USO VP corporate alliances Cathy Martens said. “The USO is grateful to have Coca-Cola and Bi-Lo partner with us to support a program that gives our troops that connection they want and need. And it’s only fitting that Americans can help our service men and women spend some quality time with their family, just by purchasing a meal to enjoy with their own family.”

The meal bundle includes: a rotisserie chicken, one 16-oz. signature deli salad and one 1.25-L bottle of any product of Coca-Cola. The program, which is being extended across all Bi-Lo locations, kicks off April 11 and runs through May 8 (or up to $35,000 donation or while supplies of specialty-marked carriers last).