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October 21-23, 2006

Retail Baking Industry Foundation
Provides Relief for Hurricane Victims

MC LEAN, VA - Eleven retail bakeries located in the Gulf Coast region have received grants from the Retail Baking Industry Foundation’s (RBIF) Hurricane Relief Fund. The grants, totaling $30,963, will go toward the replacement of equipment, stock or supplies as well as any repairs or reconstruction due to physical damage caused by Hurricanes Katrina or Rita.

The RBIF Hurricane Relief Fund distributed funds directly to local retail bakeries affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The grants were made possible through generous donations from General Mills; the second grade class of Mountain Way school in Morris Plains, N.J.; and by donations from individual bakeries nationwide. One hundred percent of the monies received by the relief fund were distributed to grant recipients.

Mark Atwood, chairman of RBIF commented, “The mission of RBIF is to help members of the retail baking community in times of hardship. After two years, the devastation caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita still impacts many in the Gulf Coast region; we want to help support those retail bakeries still struggling to recover.”

Last year, General Mills teamed with RBIF to help kick off a fundraising drive for the Hurricane Relief Fund. As part of this effort, General Mills sponsored a fundraiser in New Orleans, held several employee bake sales and donated five dollars for every bag of Danish Mix sold for a specific time period.

The grants covered two states affected by the hurricanes — Louisiana and Mississippi. Recipients include:

Louisiana
Adrian’s Bakery, New Orleans
Al’s Bakery, New Orleans
Alois Binder Bakery, New Orleans
Cinnamon’s Bakery, Lake Charles
Delicious Donuts & Bakery, Lake Charles
The Donut Bakery, New Orleans
Flour Power Confectionery, Chalmette
Gambino’s Bakery, Kenner
Georgia’s Cake Shop, Lake Charles

Mississippi
Anderson’s Bakery, Pascagoula
Paul’s Pastry Shop, Picayune

RBIF solicited applications from local retail bakeries located in the four states affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita: Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Texas. The applications were reviewed by a grant review committee as they were received and the grant awards were made until the RBIF Hurricane Relief Fund was exhausted.

Retail Baking Industry Foundation (RBIF) — a 501(c)3 not-for-profit foundation located in McLean, VA, is committed to the success of the retail baking industry. Founded in 2001, RBIF works to provide assistance to retail bakeries across the country.  For more information on RBIF, contact Susan Nicolais, RBIF Secretary, at snicolais@rbanet.com.