RALEIGH-DURHAM, N.C., February 5, 2009—Concord Hospitality Enterprises, one of the nation's top-ranked hotel developer/owner/operators, today announced that it has donated $43,000 to Feed the Children, a contribution that will provide one week's worth of food and sundries to more than 2,400 families in six cities across North America.
The donation is a part of Concord's first "Share Day," and will pay for the transportation costs of goods to FTC receiving organizations. A total of more than 150 Concord associates, about 25 in each location, will help unload and distribute the supplies. Benefiting families will be present at each receiving organization.
Feed The Children is a non-profit relief organization that delivers food, medicine, clothing and other necessities to children and families who lack them due to famine, war, poverty or natural disaster.
"Concord believes in supporting the communities that our properties call home," said Mark G. Laport, president and CEO of Concord. "It is one of our founding cornerstones. Share Day is a natural extension of that cornerstone—it exemplifies our character as a company and the character of our associates. We consider volunteer work to be an important corporate responsibility, particularly in times of economic hardship.
Laport explained that over the holidays, the company forewent traditional holiday cards and gifts in order to support the event. "In lieu of putting money towards cards and gifts to our clients, we chose instead to donate those funds—a total of $43,000—to Feed The Children. It seemed like an appropriate use of the funds in this particular economic climate.
"Feed The Children was a natural choice for a charitable partnership," he added. "They are an international organization with a presence acrossNorth America. With 51 managed properties in the U.S. and Canada, it was important to us that any organization we work with benefit all of our communities. In addition, since more than 80 percent of every donated dollar goes directly to Feed The Children beneficiaries, we saw this as a way to get the maximum possible impact from our contribution. We look forward to building on our relationship with this exceptional organization."
Participating cities and organizations include:
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Receiving organization: Rexdale Alliance Church
Columbus, Ohio
Receiving organization: Common Ground Community Church
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Receiving organization: Pittsburgh Family Development
West Des Moines, Iowa
Receiving organization: The Salvation Army
Hackensack, N.J.
Receiving organization: Center for Food Action Warehouse
Raleigh, N.C.
Receiving organization: With Love from Jesus Ministries
Concord chose the six cities where they had the highest number of owned and managed properties.
"We are truly grateful for our partnership with Concord Hospitality Enterprises," said Larry Jones, founder and president of Feed The Children. "Concord and its employees are committed partners in the fight against hunger, and their generosity will allow us to deliver help and hope to those who need it most during this winter season."
About Concord Hospitality
Concord Hospitality Enterprises Company, an award-winning hotel management and development company based in Raleigh-Durham, N.C., manages 51 hotels and with more than 6,400 guest rooms in 13 states and two Canadian providences. The company's properties include such well-known brands as Renaissance, Marriott, Courtyard by Marriott, Residence Inn by Marriott, Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott, SpringHill Suites by Marriott, and Hampton Inn and Suites, in addition to an independent boutique hotel. Formed in 1985, the company was recently listed as one of the top management companies in the nation by independent sources. Concord properties are some of the most awarded hotels in the country, having won nearly 30 honors in the past two years alone. For more information, visit www.concordhotels.com.
