Big Machine Label Group, General Mills And Feeding America® Partner With Multi-Platinum Artist Thomas Rhett For 2017 Outnumber Hunger Campaign

Program Dedicated to Fighting Hunger in America Offers Consumers Behind-The-Scenes Artist Content,
an Exclusive Artist Playlist and Pandora-Plus Trial Along with Local Food Bank Donation

NNEAPOLIS, MN – Big Machine Label Group, General Mills and Feeding America^® have again joined together for the Outnumber Hunger Campaign, a nationwide effort aimed at fighting hunger in local communities across America. This year’s program features country music’s most-played artist of 2016, multi-ACM nominee, Thomas Rhett, as the campaign’s spokesperson.

Since its launch in 2011, Outnumber Hunger has helped secure more than 45 million meals for local families served by the Feeding America nationwide network of member food banks. This year, Thomas Rhett will be featured on the front of specially-marked packages of nearly 60 General Mills brands, including Cheerios™, Lucky Charms™, Nature Valley™ and Totino’s™. Beginning March 1, individuals can purchase specially-marked products,  enter the code found on the packaging along with their zip code at Outnumberhunger.com to help Feeding America^® secure five meals* on behalf of their local member food bank.

“For more than 30 years, General Mills has partnered with Feeding America to raise awareness for hunger. It’s through programs like Outnumber Hunger, that we get the opportunity to create unique ways to get our shoppers involved with the cause so that we can band together to help our local communities,” said Kristin Merchant, integrated shopper marketing senior planner at General Mills. “As food insecurity continues to be an ongoing issue across the United States, we’re proud to do our part as a company, and have outstanding partners like Big Machine Label Group, to put a spotlight on the cause so we can help to outnumber hunger.”

“With more than 45 million meals secured as a part of the Outnumber Hunger program, we wanted to find a way in 2017 to add another element to continue to expand this important program to help fight hunger,” said Big Machine Label Group President Scott Borchetta. “We are thrilled to partner with General Mills and Feeding America once again and to add another dimension—with a Pandora Plus trial and exclusive Big Machine Label Group artist content—for fans and program participants. Using music to affect positive change is a cornerstone at Big Machine Label Group.”

A long-time advocate for fighting hunger, CMA, ACM, Billboard Music and CMT Award-Winner Thomas Rhett has participated in the Outnumber Hunger campaign every year since its inception. Additionally, the multi-Platinum singer/songwriter has a history of holding numerous fan events, including his official Fan Club parties, to benefit Feeding America.

“It’s great to have been part of the Outnumber Hunger Program since it started six years ago,” said Thomas Rhett. “Being able to see the program’s impact firsthand is a really amazing perspective to have, so I’m excited to be part of sharing their story and helping offer fans a way to help give back to their local communities.”

This year, fans can also access special behind-the-scenes artist content featuring spokesperson Thomas Rhett and participating Big Machine Label Group artists, including iconic superstar Reba McEntire, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame members Cheap Trick, 2016 American Idol winner Trent Harmon, newly minted chart-topper Brett Young, Grammy^® Award-winning vocalist Jennifer Nettles and many more, at OutnumberHunger.com/Backstage. For the first time in the program’s history, streaming service Pandora will also be a part of the Outnumber Hunger campaign, with an exclusive playlist curated by Big Machine Label Group featuring Thomas Rhettand a 30-day Pandora-Plus subscription trial.

Outnumber Hunger has included numerous components and support from platinum-selling BMLG artists including Rascal Flatts, Florida Georgia Line, Reba McEntire, Brantley Gilbert, Justin Moore, Eli Young Band and The Voice winners Cassadee Pope and Danielle Bradbery, who have performed during first-rate charity concerts and made visits to local food banks over the program’s six-year history. This long-standing partnership has helped secure more than 45 million meals for Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, and has helped to bring national awareness of the 1 in 8 Americans who struggle with food insecurity.

“With more than 42 million people struggling with hunger, programs like Outnumber Hunger help to inform and engage the public,” said Diana Aviv, CEO of Feeding America. “For the last six years, General Mills and Big Machine Label Group have worked with Feeding America to shine a light on hunger, an issue that exists in every county in America. We are grateful for their support and excited to be a part of Outnumber Hunger again this year.”

For more information on Outnumber Hunger, visit Outnumberhunger.com/Backstage.

Full list of 2017 participating Outnumber Hunger Product Brands:
Cheerios^TM, Very Berry Cheerios^TM, Cookie Crisp, Reese’s Puffs, Nature Valley^TM, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury™, Old El Paso^TM, Totino’s^®, Fruit By The Foot, Fruit Roll-Ups, Scooby-Doo! Fruit Flavored Snacks, Mott’s^® Medleys Assorted Fruit Flavored Snacks, Suddenly Salad, Gardetto’s, Chex Mix Muddy Buddies, and Fiber One^TM.

*Editor’s Note: For every code you enter by January 31, 2018, General Mills will donate 45¢ to Feeding America® – enough to secure 5 meals on behalf of local food banks. Maximum total donation of $700,000. General Mills have already donated $500,000. General Mills will donate up to an additional $200,000 based on online code entry and other consumer actions. Look for more information about the program at www.OutnumberHunger.com.