Dunkin' Donuts and Syracuse Chiefs team up to benefit Food Bank of CNY

SYRACUSE, New York - Dunkin' Donuts announced today it will donate one pound of coffee to Food Bank of Central New York for every run scored by the Syracuse Chiefs during the team's 82 home games at Alliance Bank Stadium this season. The community relations initiative is one element of a season-long partnership with the Chiefs that will also feature group outings, sponsored by Dunkin' Donuts, for Central New York charitable organizations in 2012.

"We are honored to partner with the Syracuse Chiefs to support an organization as vital as Food Bank of Central New York," said Eric Stensland, Upstate New York field marketing manager for Dunkin' Donuts. "The purpose of the partnership is to capture the excitement of every run and turn it into a tangible benefit for the food bank."

"This partnership provides a great opportunity for us to assist Food Bank of Central New York as it works tirelessly to help residents in need," said Syracuse Chiefs General Manager John Simone. "This is one of the many ways local residents and fans will benefit from the Chiefs' partnership with Dunkin' Donuts this season."

"As baseball fans, we appreciate the partnership with Dunkin' Donuts and the Syracuse Chiefs," said Tom Slater, executive director of Food Bank of Central New York. "They join the growing community of supporters who fight hunger with us in many different ways. Together, we are hunger's hope."

In addition to announcing the partnership, Dunkin' Donuts also donated a total of 500 pounds of coffee to Food Bank of Central New York and Food Bank of the Southern Tier as a result of separate "Goals for Coffee" initiatives between Dunkin' Donuts and the Syracuse Crunch, Syracuse Silver Knights and Cornell men's hockey during the 2011-12 seasons.

Food Bank of Central New York is a nonprofit organization working to eliminate hunger through nutritious food distribution, education and advocacy in cooperation with the community. The food bank provides more than 23,000 meals per day through 476 member programs in 11 counties in Central and Northern New York.

In addition to the Food Bank initiative, Dunkin' Donuts and the Syracuse Chiefs will provide assistance to another Central New York nonprofit this season. As part of the "Homers for Hillside" program, Dunkin' Donuts will make a $1,000 donation to Hillside Children's Center to support care for youth and families with a wide range of emotional, behavioral or life-circumstance challenges. The program will be recognized during stadium announcements, on the video board, and on radio broadcasts following every Chiefs home run in 2012.

Another highlight of the partnership is the return of the Dunkin' Donuts Community Dugout, which provides 1,800 tickets to groups and non-profit agencies throughout Central New York during the 2012 season. At each regular season home game, the Dunkin' Donuts Community Dugout hosts a community organization from Central New York in a special section of Alliance Bank Stadium. Organizations interested in taking part in the Dunkin' Donuts Community Dugout program can request tickets by contacting the Syracuse Chiefs ticket office at (315) 474-7833. Priority will be given to the first request received for a particular date by organizations who meet qualifications. For more information, please visit www.syracusechiefs.com.

Chiefs fans will receive extra value from Dunkin' Donuts by supporting their favorite team this season. Every 2012 Syracuse Chiefs ticket will feature a Dunkin' Donuts coupon on the back. Coupons are redeemable at any participating Dunkin' Donuts location in Central New York. Season tickets, single-game tickets purchased in person, by phone, or online at www.syracusechiefs.com and promotional tickets will feature the coupon. Offer cannot be combined with any other coupon, discount or promotion.