The Coca-Cola Foundation Surprises Five Atlanta Community Organizations with Unsolicited Grants of $10,000 Each

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Five local Atlanta human service organizations working to help those in need this holiday season were surprised with donations of $10,000 each Thursday during a luncheon at The Coca-Cola Company.

The Coca-Cola Foundation has awarded unsolicited and unrestricted "surprise" grants to local organizations for the past 18 years as part of its "Donations in Lieu of Decorations Initiative," an annual tradition that directs funding originally planned for holiday decorations and holiday parties to help local people in need.

"We provide these special holiday contributions to organizations which are helping to change the lives of those in need in our community," said Ingrid Saunders Jones, chair of The Coca-Cola Foundation. "Since The Coca-Cola Company began this initiative in 1992, we have donated more than $500,000 to more than 45 local community organizations."

The five organizations selected to receive donations this year are:

    --  Atlanta Children's Shelter, which provides child development and support
        services for homeless families striving to become self-sufficient.
    --  City of Refuge, which provides individuals and families with food,
        clothing, shelter, job training and placement, housing, healthcare and
        education.
    --  CredAbility, which helps individuals move from financial crisis to
        financial control through budget, credit counseling and debt management
        plans.
    --  Families First, whichworks to foster strong communities by providing
        solutions for children and families through child well-being and
        self-sufficiency services.
    --  Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless, whichworks to rescue, restore and
        stabilize at risk homeless individuals and families to self-sufficiency.

About The Coca-Cola Foundation

In 2009, The Coca-Cola Company and The Coca-Cola Foundation contributed more than $87 million to community initiatives worldwide. Since its inception, The Coca-Cola Foundation has contributed more than $355 million to help build sustainable communities worldwide. For more information about The Coca-Cola Foundation, please go to www.thecoca-colacompany.com/citizenship/foundation_coke.html.

About The Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Along with Coca-Cola, recognized as the world's most valuable brand, the Company's portfolio includes 12 other 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 1.6 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that protect the environment, conserve resources and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate.

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    Source: The Coca-Cola Company

Released December 16, 2010