Bruegger's Collecting Toys for Tots

Bruegger's Bakery-Cafe is teaming up with the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation to meet the dramatic increase in requests for toys this holiday season and to brighten the lives of less fortunate children across the U.S. Through its "Kids Helping Kids" campaign, nearly 275 participating Bruegger's bakery locations across the country will become toy drop-off locations for Toys for Tots from now until December 15.

To teach children the joy of giving, families are encouraged to make a toy donation together at their neighborhood Bruegger's location. For each new, unwrapped toy donated, kids can choose a free meal from the bakery-cafe's new kids menu, launched in September 2009. All toys collected will be distributed locally to less fortunate children.

"Toys for Tots is such a great cause, and one we wanted to support locally," says James Greco, Bruegger's CEO. "They produce remarkable results every year and we hope to make 2009 even more successful."

In 2008, Marines distributed over 16.2 million toys to over 7.6 million less fortunate children in 657 communities covering all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Unfortunately, the National Center for Childhood Poverty reports there are 14 million U.S. children living in poverty and additional 15 million children living in low-income families.

"The numbers are staggering. As families continue to struggle to make ends meet, Toys for Tots fears many children will face Christmas morning without a toy," says Major Bill Grein, USMC (Ret.), vice president of marketing for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. "Our partnership with Bruegger's will help us deliver the magic of the holidays to more children than ever before."

Bruegger's will not only give back to its guests during the toy donation campaign. For those adults who want to join in the giving, Bruegger's will donate $1.00 for each guest who becomes a "Fan" of Bruegger's Facebook page or who logs in to receive the Bruegger's newsletter on the company’s Web site. Guests who visit Bruegger's Facebook page can also donate cash directly to Toys for Tots.