Caring for our communities is a fundamental value at General Mills. We have a rich legacy of sharing our financial resources, our breakthrough ideas and our championship people with our communities. By reaching out to others, we work to improve the quality of life in our communities in many ways.

Since the General Mills Foundation was created in 1954, we have awarded more than $370 million to community programs working to improve youth nutrition and fitness, education, arts and culture, social services and United Way. We match gifts that our employees and retirees give to accredited educational institutions, arts and cultural organizations, as well as the United Way. Our 2006 United Way campaign in the Twin Cities totaled more than $6.8 million, the largest single corporate contribution in the history of the Greater Twin Cities United Way. United Way of America honored General Mills' 2005 national campaign with two Summit Awards as part of the Spirit of America Awards program.

In recognition of its 50th anniversary, the General Mills Foundation began awarding "Celebrating Communities of Color" grants in 2004. Since this program's inception, $1.5 million has been awarded to nonprofit organizations in the greater Twin Cities area serving communities of color. This program is in addition to the long-standing operating grants we currently make to many organizations that serve people of color.

Recently, General Mills partnered with Cheerios Circle of Helping Hearts to fund three year programs that recognize consumers of color who are fighting heart disease in their communities. Additionally, our company is a proud sponsor of the Latina's Brunch at the National Council of La Raza's annual convention, the National Urban League's Women of Power breakfast and the NAACP Leadership 500's breakfast sessions. Through these and other community outreach efforts, we extend our commitment to Nourishing Lives. In keeping with our commitment to education, we have partnered with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation to award more than $1.5 million to youth across the country who plan to study health-related subjects. Students of color with financial need are also supported through annual grants to the United Negro College Fund, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, the Asian and Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund and the American Indian College Fund.

	Through these and other nationally recognized efforts, we're sharing our expertise, ideas and financial resources to build a better tomorrow.

In the Hawthorne neighborhood of Minneapolis, General Mills leads a monthly meeting, the Hawthorne Huddle — that brings together neighbors, educators, clergy, elected officials as well as social service and law enforcement professionals to work through neighborhood issues. Former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno calls the Hawthorne Huddle a "model for all of America."