Coca-Cola, Ebenezer Baptist Church Mark Shared 125th Anniversaries by Helping Georgians in Need More Than 300 Volunteers Distribute Food, Clothing in Downtown Atlanta; Pack Disaster Relief Kits for Georgia Families
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Coca-Cola and Ebenezer Baptist Church, two of Atlanta's leading community icons, today marked their shared 125th anniversaries by pairing volunteers from both organizations to prepare disaster relief kits for Georgia's families and distribute clothing and packaged food to those in need within the downtown Atlanta community. The event took place within the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site and at Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church.
The volunteer effort was part of EbenezerFEST, an annual event created two years ago by the historic Atlanta church in response to the growing number of financially distressed families and individuals within the community. EbenezerFEST provided free health care screenings, food and clothing to about 500 members of the Atlanta community.
"We are so pleased to share this special birthday anniversary and to partner with Ebenezer Baptist Church in bringing this event to the community," said Ingrid Saunders Jones, Senior Vice President of Global Community Connections for The Coca-Cola Company. "What better way to help those in need than to partner with one of the city's most historic community icons."
In addition, volunteers also helped landscape King Center grounds and helped organize storage areas within the King Center.
"As Ebenezer celebrates 125 years of ministry, we are pleased to partner with The Coca-Cola Company which also celebrates 125 years of being the world's preeminent beverage company and a revered community partner," said Ebenezer Senior Pastor Rev. Raphael G. Warnock. "As we continue to see rising home foreclosures, job losses, inadequate healthcare coverage, and mounting poverty, Ebenezer and Coca-Cola, with several partners demonstrated the importance of sharing open happiness."
Other community partners and corporations participating included Atlanta's District 2 City Councilman Kwanza Hall, who represents the area; the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta; Atlanta Food Bank; U. S. National Park Service; Fulton County Health Department; Hands on Atlanta; Papa John's Pizza; Chick-fil-A, and the Atlanta Dream.
"We were delighted to celebrate with two of Atlanta's most significant entities," said Bill Bolling, Executive Director, Atlanta Community Food Bank. "Ebenezer Baptist Church has been a longtime partner in fighting hunger with the Food Bank, and The Coca-Cola Company has a tremendous history of supporting organizations that help those in need."
The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Led by Coca-Cola, the world's most valuable brand, the Company's portfolio features 15 billion dollar brands including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply and Georgia. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages at a rate of 1.7 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, support active, healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. For more information about our Company, please visit our website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.
Source: The Coca-Cola Company
Released April 30, 2011