Belle Foods, Western Union Give to Nonprofits

Belle Foods LLC, the company that recently acquired Southern Family Markets (SFM), and The Western Union Co., the global payments leader, have donated a combined $225,000 through the Western Union Foundation to four nonprofit organizations that provide services in Alabama.

The nonprofits are Habitat for Humanity International, which is receiving $75,000; American Red Cross Alabama Region, which is receiving $50,000; Salvation Army (Greater Birmingham Command), which is receiving $50,000; and United Way of Central Alabama, which is receiving $50,000.

The Western Union Agent Giving Program matches qualifying agent donations to eligible local nonprofits on a one-to-one basis, and select global nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) on a two-to-one basis.

SFM donated $100,000 before its acquisition by Belle Foods, and Englewood, Colo.-based Western Union provided matching grants totaling $125,000. The Habitat for Humanity International donation will be matched by Western Union at a rate of two-to-one for an additional $25,000 to support a worldwide microfinance program and the local Volunteer Builds program in Alabama.

“Western Union is a purpose-driven brand,” explained Luella Chavez D’Angelo, SVP, Western Union Social Ventures and president, Western Union Foundation. “Our philosophy is to collaborate with our agents and employees to give back to the community. Together with its agents, Western Union believes in helping to create jobs and grow local economies all while ‘Moving Money for Better.’ This is one way we demonstrate our corporate social responsibility.”

“Belle Foods understands how important it is to give back to the communities we serve,” added Bill White, president and CEO of Birmingham-based Belle Foods, which now has 57 stores in four Southern states. “By working with the Western Union Foundation, we have aligned our company’s philanthropic activities and amassed nearly a quarter-million dollars to benefit consumers across Alabama.”