Retail & Celebrity Charity News Week of November 3

General Mills Starts Healthy Hispanic Initiative

General Mills has launched a three-year, grassroots program with the Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition and the Latino Nutrition Coalition encouraging Hispanic families to share healthy and nutritious meals. Mente Sana en Cuerpo Sano (Sound Body, Sound Mind) involves the use of a 10-session curriculum developed by the Bell Institute, with practical and culturally-relevant materials presented in Spanish and English, emphasizing how to combine Hispanic healthy food traditions with the realities of modern American life. The initial launch will be in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles and Northern California, presented by community-based organizations that aim to collectively to reach 10,000 individuals in the first year. Lessons, which are 30 and 60 minutes long, include topics such as how to shop for ideal foods and how to prepare healthy meals. Participants will also receive complimentary copies of The Traditional Healthy Latin American Pyramid and Camino Magico booklets.

Clinton Supported California Proposition 8

President Bill Clinton targeted California voters via telephone, giving the following message regarding the unfairness of Proposition 8: “This is Bill Clinton calling to ask you to vote NO on Proposition 8 on Tuesday, November 4. Proposition 8 would use state law to single out one group of Californians to be treated differently — discriminating against members of our family, our friends and our co-workers. If I know one thing about California, I know that is not what you’re about. That is not what America is about. Please vote no on 8. It’s unfair and it’s wrong. Thank you.” Proposition 8 would make same-sex marriage illegal in California.

Bulgari Celebrates 125 Years With Charity Campaign

In honor of its 125 anniversary in 2009, Italian luxury goods retailer Bulgari is supporting Save the Children’s Rewrite the Future campaign, which aims to providing quality education to eith million children living in conflict areas, by the end of 2010. Bulgari will donate €1 million up front as part of the ultimate goal to raise €10 million for Save the Children by the end of 2009. Bulgari is introducing a limited-edition silver ring with the Save the Children logo engraved inside the band, in tribute to the company Founder Sotirio Bulgari, with $60 of the $290 price tag benefiting the Rewrite the Future campaign (available February 1 through December 31, 2009). The company will also auction a collection worth more than €3 million in December, including 15 pieces of high jewelry and eight luxury timepieces, all one-of-a-kind. The collection debuts in Rome on June 4, 2009, and will be exhibited internationally at Bulgari events before to the auction in New York.

Starbucks, Bono Team Up To Fight AIDS

In partnership with U2 singer Bono’s PRODUCT RED charity, Starbucks will donate $0.05 from the sale of special RED beverages Peppermint Mocha Twist, Gingersnap Latte and Espresso Truffle, to the global fund fighting AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. The drinks will be available at Starbucks locations in the US and Canada between November 27, 2008 and January 2, 2009.

Kmart Offers Layaway For the Holiday Season

In response to the current economic situation, Kmart is offering layaway as an option to its customers, allowing them to reserve ‘hot’ items in advance and pay for pricier items in increments. Holiday and limited-supply items must be picked up by December 5, and starting November 15, home electronic products over $200 can not be placed on layaway. The service includes a fee and is not available in all locations. Kmart is the only national department store offering layaway.