The Foodbank's Jenifer Johnson accepts the check for this year's CD sales from Rick Dean, owner of Moxie Java; Steve Fulton, the CD's producer; and Chad Dryden of the Record Exchange.

Moxie Java nearly tripled this year’s donation to The Idaho Foodbank through sales of IdaHo Ho Ho with Moxie Java. Though this is only the second year Moxie Java has produced the holiday CD, sales generated $18,261.48, enough to provide approximately 54,000 meals for those in need throughout the state.

“This is such a wonderful project, so much in the spirit of the holidays,” said Karen Vauk, President and CEO of The Idaho Foodbank. “We are very grateful to Moxie Java and everyone who once again gave so generously of their time and talent to make this a reality. We very much look forward to the 2012 holiday CD.”

Though it was only available for the holidays, over 1,900 CDs were sold at Moxie Java locations and the Record Exchange. IdaHo Ho Ho with Moxie Java charted No. 1 and 2 on the Record Exchange weekly bestseller list in December and came in No. 5 on its top 50 sellers list for 2011.

“The Record Exchange was proud to carry this special holiday CD, and its sales performance here at the store was indicative of the quality of the music and the generosity of our community,” said Chad Dryden, Marketing and Promotions Director for the Record Exchange. “It was great to see so many enthused customers come in looking specifically for the CD and show their support for our local music scene and The Idaho Foodbank.”

“Producing a record with local original and traditional Christmas music for such a great cause has become one of the highlights of my year,” said Steve Fulton, owner of Audio Lab where the CD was produced. “I have enough music earmarked for at least a couple more years already. There are so many incredible artists who want to contribute that the quality of this CD is just going to continue to be of high caliber. I look forward to the next one.”

If you still haven’t picked up the 2011 album, limited quantities are available at the Record Exchange throughout the year. The 2010 and 2011 compilations will also be available next November along with the third album, which is already in the works.

“Between the amazing Idaho artists donating their time, Audio Lab and The Record Exchange as a partner we seem to have found a trifecta of talent that we are so proud to stand behind,” said Moxie Java’s Carrie Hoff. “We couldn’t be more thankful to everyone who helped make this project a success and look forward to what we can do for The Idaho Foodbank in December.”

If local musicians are interested in participating in the 2012 IdaHo Ho Ho with Moxie Java compilation, they may contact Andy Petersen at andy@mitchellpalmer.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:

David Reimann, Western States
208-884-2249; davidreimann@wseco.com

Chad Biggs, Red Sky Public Relations

208-921-8270; chadbiggs@redskypr.com

 Albertsons Store Display Contest Goes Online, Facebook Votes Help Dump Hunger  

Each “like” of a favorite display adds $1 to the cause, anyone can vote and support campaign

January ##, 2012, (Meridian, Idaho) – Heavy equipment, hard hats and food drive displays will dominate the scene at your local Albertsons as each store competes to build the best Dump Hunger display and earn donations online from Western States. Albertsons stores across the Intermountain West will create displays to promote the campaign, which will be photographed, uploaded to and voted on at Western States Equipment’s Facebook page. Western States will donate one dollar to Dump Hunger for each “like” of a display photo, up to $5,000. Anyone with a Facebook account can vote between January 25 and January 31, with the winner announced February 1.

“This contest illustrates the creativity and dedication of our partners and employees in making Dump Hunger a success and driving awareness of the challenging post-holiday season for food banks,” said Western States President Tom Harris. “We can’t wait to see the displays and encourage everyone to vote for their favorites so we can donate the full $5,000 to the communities where we live and work.”

Displays will begin to be designed this week and voting kicks off on January 25. The store receiving the most votes will win a catered party and the opportunity to get behind the wheel of CAT® equipment at the local Western States branch for their “Day in the Dirt.” Customers with smartphones can find the Dump Hunger poster at their store and scan a QR code to vote for their favorite display while at the store.

“Our store associates take great pride in competing and being the best, especially when it benefits local food banks in the communities we serve,” said Mike Clawson, president of ALBERTSONS Intermountain West. “While there will be bragging rights on the line, each store will remember the creativity and collaboration involved with our partners at Western States and Wells Fargo to create and build the best display for an extremely worthy cause.”

Dump Hunger supports local communities throughout the Intermountain West by raising awareness and donations for food banks at the most critical time of year. The fourth annual “Dump Hunger” food drive features a new partner in Wells Fargo and the most aggressive goal in its history – to fill the bed of four CAT 730 dump trucks with 300,000 pounds of food. Those interested in donating food to Dump Hunger can do so at any Western States location or participating Albertsons stores and Wells Fargo branches in Idaho, western Wyoming and Montana, and eastern Oregon and Washington. A full list of locations can be found here. Monetary donations can be made at participating Wells Fargo locations or online at www.westernstatescat.com/dumphunger.

 
About Dump Hunger

Dump Hunger is a post-holiday food drive sponsored by Western States Equipment. The five-week campaign partners the 13 Western States branch locations with local Albertsons stores and food banks that serve their shared communities. The post-holiday timing of Dump Hunger is critical for food banks as January and February mark the lowest levels of food donations. To date Dump Hunger has gathered 1,233,017 pounds of food for the communities it serves. Dump Hunger launches on Monday, January 9th and ends on Monday, February 10th. The goal is to gather 300,000 pounds of food – equal to four CAT 730 truckloads.  Caterpillar has regularly recognized the Dump Hunger campaign as the Best Community Event by all CAT dealers in the United States. For more information, including Dump Hunger campaign pictures, Western States branch locations, and a weekly Dump Hunger tracker, visit www.westernstatescat.com.

About Albertsons

Albertsons is part of the SUPERVALU family of grocery stores.  Albertsons was founded in 1939 and currently operates 447 Albertsons and Lucky supermarkets in Southern California, Southern Nevada, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.  For more information about Albertsons, visit our website at www.albertsons.com

About Western States Equipment

With more than 70 years experience in the agricultural, mining and construction industries, Western States Equipment is an authorized Caterpillar dealer for five mountain states with 13 branches located in Idaho, western Wyoming and Montana, and eastern Oregon and Washington. Caterpillar recently recognized the Dump Hunger campaign as the Best Community Event by all CAT dealers in the United States for the second year in a row. For more information, including Dump Hunger campaign pictures and Western States branch locations, visit www.westernstatescat.com. Western States was recently recognized by Idaho C.L. “Butch” Otter as Corporation Volunteer of the Year, receiving the Governor’s Brightest Star Award for its efforts with the Dump Hunger Food Drive, the Ronald McDonald House Sporting Clays Tournament and a number of other contributions to Idaho communities. http://westernstatescat.com

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