• More than 500 Coca-Cola associates to show support for local non-profit agencies
• March 31^st effort part of Coca-Cola Bottling Company Consolidated’s Coke Care initiative
• For information go to facebook.com/CokeCaresHHI

HILTON HEAD, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 31, 2015-- For more than 125 years Coca-Cola has been the “pause that refreshes” and on March 31, more than 500 Coca-Cola Bottling Company Consolidated (CCBCC) associates will “pause” from their typical meeting day to give back to the community by volunteering with organizations all over the Lowcountry.

The group, who is in town as part of their corporate meeting schedule, will be doing everything from cleaning office space at Family Promise of Beaufort County, assisting at the Sandalwood Food Pantry, making lap blankets for area nursing homes, helping at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, packing USO kits for deploying Troops and preparing meals for Meals of Hope as well as delivering food alongside the Hilton Head based Second Helpings team.

This impressive effort is part of CCBCC’s overall Coke Cares stewardship program where employees volunteer literally thousands of hours to improve the communities the company serves.

“Giving back to the community is something that’s in Coke’s DNA,” said Alison Patient, sr. director, corporate affairs, Coca-Cola Bottling Company Consolidated. “We’re excited about our upcoming Hours of Service Stewardship event and the opportunity to help people throughout Beaufort County.”

Coca-Cola has proudly served the Lowcountry since 1902 and is taking this opportunity to serve some fantastic organizations around Beaufort County. To learn more about the organizations Coca-Cola is partnering with and this stewardship event, the company has set up a special Facebook page at Facebook.com/HHICokeCares.

Coca-Cola Bottling Company Consolidated Beaufort Branch Manager Steve Curtis complimented his fellow Coke associates saying, “It’s gratifying to work for a company that allows employees, at company expense, the opportunity to get out and make a real difference in the communities where we work, live and play.”

“The mission of the USO is to lift the spirits of America’s troops and their families! Many thanks to Coca-Cola’s dedicated and talented volunteers for assembling care packages for troops deploying overseas. Thank you for making Every Moment Count for the heroes that protect us”, said Joanie Thresher, Director USO South Carolina. “The USO could not provide the programs and services we do without partners and friends like you!”

Maureen Korzik, executive director, Second Helpings commented, “Second Helpings distributes more than 2.6 pounds of food and grocery products each year; and one we would not be able to accomplish without the assistance of our dedicated volunteers. On behalf of the thousands of children and family we serve, thank you Coca-Cola for helping Second Helpings serve those in need.”

About Second Helpings

Second Helpings is a nonprofit charitable food distribution project, committed to eliminating hunger and developing collaborative strategies that encourage self-reliance among people in areas that we serve.

Begun on Hilton Head Island in January 1992, Second Helpings now distributes food to over 65 non-profit agencies in the South Carolina low-country (Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton Counties). We distribute more than 2.6 million pounds of food and grocery products each year. Over 20,000 benefit from our food every year.

About the USO

Our Mission: The USO lifts the spirits of America’s troops and their families.

Millions of times each year at hundreds of locations around the world, the USO lifts the spirits of America’s troops and their families. A nonprofit, congressionally chartered, private organization, the USO relies on the generosity of individuals, organizations and corporations to support its activities. The USO is not part of the U.S. government, but is recognized by the Department of Defense, Congress and President of the United States, who serves as Honorary Chairman of the USO.

Headquartered in Charlotte, NC, Coca-Cola Consolidated is the nation’s largest independent Coca-Cola bottler with franchise territories in 11 states. The Company’s current major markets include: Charlotte, Raleigh, Wilmington, Greenville, the Triad, and Asheville in NC; Greenville, Columbia, and Charleston in SC; Charleston, Beckley, and Parkersburg in WV; Roanoke and Bristol in VA; Cleveland, Nashville, Johnson City, Morristown and Knoxville in TN; Columbus and Albany in GA; Mobile, AL; Panama City, FL; and Biloxi, MS.

Learn more about Coca-Cola Consolidated at www.cokeconsolidated.com, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

- Facebook.com/CokeCareHHI -

#ccbccspringrally15

Source: Coca-Cola Bottling Company Consolidated

Coca-Cola Bottling Company Consolidated
Shyloe Luehrs, 704-361-1519