Kmart joins team to fight childhood hunger

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart and Shop Your Way are teaming up with New York Times bestselling author Sandra Lee to support the Share Our Strength Bake Sale for No Kid Hungry campaign. The national fundraising initiative encourages people to host bake sales in their communities to help end childhood hunger in the United States.

Lee, who is marking the release of her 25th book, "Every Dish Delivers," has been a key driver of Share our Strength and the No Kid Hungry initiatives for eight years. Her latest book goes on sale April 23 at Kmart stores nationwide, as well as Kmart.com and ShopYourWay.com, and contains 365 days of "fast, fresh and affordable" meals and appetizers.

"With more than 16 million children struggling with hunger in America, Kmart and Shop Your Way are proud to work with Sandra Lee and help such an important cause," said Imran Jooma, EVP and president, marketing, online and financial services, Sears Holdings. "Kmart has long supported the community and philanthropic efforts that benefit children. Plus, we are a one-stop shop for everyday and seasonal baking, entertaining and celebrating needs. We felt participating in Share Our Strength's year-long Bake Sale for No Kid Hungry program perfectly aligned both our philanthropic efforts and product offerings."

By making sure children in need get nutritious food and teaching their families how to cook healthy, affordable meals, the No Kid Hungry campaign surrounds children with healthy food where they live, learn and play. To raise awareness and money for the program, Kmart and Shop Your Way are sponsoring "Sandra Lee's World's Largest Bake Sale," from 10 a.m.–7 p.m. May 1, in Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Terminal in New York City, with sponsor support from Hasbro, Philadelphia Cream Cheese, Duncan Hines, Domino Sugar and C&H Sugar. Shop Your Way Rewards Members will receive special offers for their participation in the bake sale through the My Coupons application on www.ShopYourWay.com and when they "Shop-In" using the Shop Your Way mobile app at the May 1 event. The first 100 members who Shop-In at the event will be eligible to receive a signed copy of Sandra Lee's new book. To spread the word about Sandra Lee's World's Largest Bake Sale, Sandra Lee, Ty Pennington and @kmart and @shopyourway, will host a bake sale themed Twitter Party on April 25 using hashtag #WorldsLargestBakeSale.

"One in five kids in America struggles with hunger, making it more important than ever to help deliver food to children in need," said Bake Sale for No Kid Hungry director Amy Crowell. "Our bake sale program raises awareness and funding in local communities by allowing supporters to host individual sales. Sandra Lee's World's Largest Bake Sale sponsored by Kmart and Shop Your Way is just one example of the great work our supporters demonstrate."

Lee's bake sale event features co-chairs Martha Stewart, Mario Batali, Bobby Flay, Dylan Lauren, Emeril Lagasse, Guy Fieri, Buddy Valastro, Wendy Williams, Rosanna Scotto, The Food Network Kitchen and Sears celebrity designer Ty Pennington. More than 30 popular restaurants from New York City will join Lee as co-host of the event.

"As a Share Our Strength partner for eight years and the spokesperson for their largest annual fundraiser, Bake Sale for No Kid Hungry, I am committed to ending childhood hunger. With the support of Kmart, Sears and Shop Your Way at this year's event, we will raise much needed funds to help families have access to nutritious foods," said Lee.

Proceeds from all baked goods sold will benefit Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry campaign and the Food Bank for New York City. In addition, the post-event activities will feature an auction with items signed by the celeb chairs including a one-of-a-kind "Bake Sale Stand" designed and created by Ty Pennington. Participants who register online to host their own Bake Sale for No Kid Hungry receive a free participant kit, and if they raise $250 or more they will be rewarded with select items from the Kmart exclusive Sandra by Sandra Lee collection.

Customers and Shop Your Way Rewards Members can go to kmart.com/bakesale to make virtual donations, access bake sale recipes and share virtual recipe cards from Sandra Lee.