Blue Cross Launches Concert Series to Fight Hunger

Blue Cross Launches Concert Series to Fight Hunger

Concert Series Starting Oct. 12 to Benefit Local Food Banks

EAGAN, Minn., Oct. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is sponsoring a three-part concert series to support local hunger-relief efforts, in collaboration with City Pages, 89.3 the Current, and Sue McLean & Associates. The concerts will be held at various venues throughout the Twin Cities metro area during the months of October and December.

Folk/rock legend Richard Thompson, along with special guest Eliza Gilkyson, kick off the series at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 12 at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul. The show following presents Dar Williams, folk-singer/songwriter, at 8 p.m. on Oct. 29 at The O'Shaughnessy in St. Paul -- with special guest Girlyman. And the BoDeans, the popular rock-and-roll band from Milwaukee, wrap things up at 8 p.m. on New Year's Eve, at the Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis.

After Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast states, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota took steps to support the victims, contributing $50,000 to the American Red Cross and offering more than $100,000 in matching programs with agents and employees. Now, Blue Cross is supporting communities throughout Minnesota by helping stock local food banks. Blue Cross will match each dollar donated to Second Harvest Heartland food banks during the concert series up to $25,000. Donations will be taken at each event and online at www.2harvest.org.

"The concert series provides a convenient opportunity for people to help their neighbors who are going hungry. And with Blue Cross matching all the donations dollar-for-dollar, we can all share in helping make a healthy difference throughout our state," said Daniel Johnson, director of community affairs for Blue Cross.

This fund-raiser comes at a time when there is tremendous need for additional help for the nation's food banks. "The devastation caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita focused the nation's attention on issues of hunger and poverty," said Newell Searle, vice president, external relations, at Second Harvest Heartland. "Partnerships with companies like Blue Cross allow Second Harvest Heartland to bring member agencies, including food shelves and shelters, the food needed to serve hungry people in our community and continue service to hurricane survivors through our national network of food banks."

Tickets for the three concerts are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com, and at the box offices of each theatre. For more information about the series, click on the "Benefit Concerts" link at www.bluecrossmn.com.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, with headquarters in the St. Paul suburb of Eagan, was chartered in 1933 as Minnesota's first health plan and continues to carry out its charter mission today: to promote a wider, more economical and timely availability of health services for the people of Minnesota. A not-for-profit, taxable organization, Blue Cross is the largest health plan based in Minnesota, covering 2.6 million members in Minnesota and nationally through its health plans or plans administered by its affiliated companies. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, headquartered in Chicago. Visit www.bluecrossmn.com.

Source: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota

CONTACT: Katie Kava, +1-651-662-4714, or Monika Strom, +1-651-662-6889, both of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota

Web site: http://www.bluecrossmn.com/ http://www.2harvest.org/

------- Profile: Ent