La Madeleine Raises Funds for Over 1.2 Million Meals to Feed Children in Need

La Madeleine Raises Funds for Over 1.2 Million Meals to Feed Children in Need

La Madeleine’s “Hearts for Hope” Campaign Exceeded Goal this May 

DALLAS – La Madeleine Country French Café announced today the fundraising totals from its “Hearts for Hope” campaign, a collaborative effort with its loyal guests throughout the month of May. The widespread generosity resulted in raising $308,176 for Children’s Hunger Fund, a charity partner closely aligned with the brand’s philanthropic commitment to helping end childhood hunger. All proceeds from the Hearts for Hope campaign are being donated and will help provide over 1.2 million meals for children in need.

“Thanks to the incredible generosity of our guests, we are proud to have surpassed our goal of raising $250,000 or one million meals. Knowing that these funds will truly help make a difference in the lives of so many children, we couldn’t be happier,” said John Cahill, president of la Madeleine Country French Café. “This is a great step forward in our dedication to fighting childhood hunger. We are honored to support a wonderful, transparent and efficient organization like Children’s Hunger Fund in such a substantial and meaningful way.”

The “Hearts for Hope” campaign collected donations through the sale of la Madeleine’s legendary heart-shaped Linzer cookies, all other fresh-baked cookies and a popular la Madeleine coupon card that sold out in many cafés. All proceeds, or 100 percent of every donation, go directly to Children’s Hunger Fund and each dollar donated provides four meals for children in need. The philanthropic partnership with la Madeleine and Children’s Hunger Fund gives loyal guests of the endearing bakery café brand a chance to make a direct and meaningful difference to children in need.

“When we heard that la Madeleine surpassed its goal, we felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude,” said Dave Phillips, president and founder of Children’s Hunger Fund. “La Madeleine is a dedicated partner that shares our devotion to serving children in crisis. These funds provide much needed nutrition, and hope for kids.”

Children’s Hunger Fund has raised more than $1 billion for food and other aid to more than 20 million children in the United States and worldwide, and children in the United States and worldwide with an incredible 99 percent direct giveback rate. For this reason, Children’s Hunger Fund has again been listed as one of the most cost-efficient charities in the nation by Forbes and Charity Navigator.

About la Madeleine Country French Café

Dallas-based la Madeleine Country French Café was established in 1983 by self-described “French country boy” Patrick Esquerré to fulfill his dream of bringing classic French country fare to America. Inspired by his mother’s cooking, Patrick insisted on maintaining the integrity of French cuisine by using fresh ingredients and recipes that have been passed from one generation to the next.

From its signature fireplace to its crave-worthy food, la Madeleine offers a warm, welcoming atmosphere where guests are invited to come and stay in a casual, French home atmosphere. La Madeleine’s French-inspired fare served throughout the day during breakfast, lunch and dinner features handcrafted entrées, sandwiches, salades and soupes, as well as freshly-baked breads, artisan pâtisseries and several additional distinctive specialties. La Madeleine’s authenticity, innovation and fresh menu items differentiate the brand, creating widespread appeal.

A treasured part of many communities for more than 30 years, there are currently more than 75 cafés across Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia. For more information on menu items, café locations and hours of operation, visit www.laMadeleine.com.

About Children’s Hunger Fund:

After encountering suffering children in Honduras, Dave Phillips sought to make a difference and began Children’s Hunger Fund in 1991. Since then, an average of 99 percent of total contributions—over 1 billion dollars in food and other aid—has been distributed through programs serving more than 20 million children across America and in more than 72 countries around the world. In 2014, Children’s Hunger Fund provided 22 million meals into the homes of those in need both in the U.S. and around the world. Over 26,000 volunteers in 2014 were utilized to maximize their reach and impact while minimizing overhead. Children’s Hunger Fund strives to operate with total financial integrity and efficiency. The organization is listed by CharityNavigator.org, MinistryWatch.org and Forbes.com as one of the most cost-effective charities in the nation.