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Contact: Dori Robau, Macy’s Media Relations
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Barrino to Host Dinner Party at Her Charlotte Home to Benefit Feeding America

CHARLOTTE, NC– October 14, 2009– Singer/Songwriter and season 3 American Idol winner, Fantasia Barrino is joining Macy’s in an effort to raise money and awareness for Feeding America and local food banks. Barrino is hosting a dinner party at her Charlotte Home on Thursday, October 15th as part of Macy’s “Come Together” campaign.

This September, Macy’s and Feeding America launched “Come Together,” an innovative awareness and fundraising campaign that aims to feed 10 million people suffering from hunger. Celebrating the renaissance of cooking at home, Come Together invites the public to rally around the cause and host special dinners in their homes, but ask their guests to pledge a donation to Feeding America and local food banks in lieu of the traditional host gift. In return, Macy’s will match these donations dollar-for-dollar until the total goal of 10 million meals is reached. In Charlotte, Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina will be one of the beneficiaries of this effort.

"Hunger is one of the most significantly impacted issues during an economic downturn," said Karin Darmanin, Macy’s Senior Vice President/ Regional Director of Stores. "Our initiative with Feeding America and local food banks is intended to give people a service call-to-action to come together with their friends and the rest of America to lend support to a cause that hits every community across this country. The campaign will also give our customers the tools and the motivation to participate in the at-home dinner parties."

“When I heard about the Macy's Come Together Campaign, I thought that hosting a dinner party would be a great way to give back to my community,” said Fantasia. “After gathering information about the campaign I realized and want others to know that hunger is not just something the homeless experience. In these tough times we have to recognize the need to assist our fellow neighbors and community as a whole. That is why I wanted to do something with the campaign and I encourage others to do so as well.”

The statistics are staggering, as 35.5 million Americans are at risk of hunger with 12 million of those being children. This year alone the need for food is up 30 percent. While many assume that the homeless make up the largest contingent of the hungry, in reality 89 percent of the people Feeding America serve nationally each year have homes. The need for food increases yearly during the Fall/Winter.

When:
Thursday, October 15, 2009
7 p.m.- 9 p.m.

About Macy’'s

Macy's, the largest retail brand of Macy's, Inc., delivers fashion and affordable luxury to customers at more than 800 locations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. Macy's stores and macys.com offer distinctive assortments including the most desired family of exclusive and fashion brands for him, her and home. Macy's is known for such epic events as Macy's 4th of July Fireworks® and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade®, as well as spectacular fashion shows, culinary events, flower shows and celebrity appearances. Building on a 150-year tradition, Macy's helps strengthen communities by supporting local and national charities that make a difference in the lives of our customers.

For Macy’s media materials, images and contacts, please visit our online pressroom at www.macys.com/pressroom.

About Feeding America
Feeding America is the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity with a mission to feed America's hungry through a nationwide network of member food banks and to engage the country in the fight to end hunger. Each year, the Feeding America network provides food assistance to more than 25 million low-income people facing hunger in the United States, including more than 9 million children and nearly 3 million seniors. The network of more than 200 food banks serves all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The Feeding America network secures and distributes more than 2 billion pounds of donated food and grocer products annually.

The Feeding America network supports approximately 63,000 local charitable agencies that distribute food directly to Americans in need. Those agencies operate more than 70,000 programs including food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, after-school programs, Kids Cafes and BackPack Programs.

About Second Harvest Foodbank
As part of Feeding America, Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina serves 19 counties in North and South Carolina. In FY2008-2009, Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina distributed over 29 million pounds of food and essential grocery items to approximately 650 hunger feeding agencies including emergency pantries, soup kitchens, senior programs, shelters and low-income daycares.

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