As part of its 125th anniversary celebration, Hershey’s Creamery Co., Harrisburg, Pa., said it wants to do its part to help end childhood hunger. In a national partnership with No Kid Hungry, the company pledged to donate enough to provide up to 1.25 million meals for kids in need throughout 2019.

Starting “soon,” every time a parlor owner purchases a 3-gallon tub of four Hershey’s ice cream designated flavors, the company will donate $1 to No Kid Hungry, which is enough to provide as many as 10 meals to kids in need. During the spring and summer, Moose Tracks, Magical Unicorn, LlamaLicious and Lil’ Blue Panda will be featured. The latter two flavors are brand new for 2019 and geared toward kids, Hershey’s Creamery said. 

Funds donated will go to myriad programs that give kids access to free meals in schools and during the summer. Studies show that when kids get the nutrition they need, they are better able to concentrate, their grades and attendance rise, and they are more likely to graduate, Hershey’s Creamery said.

The company is encouraging everyone to travel to their local Hershey’s Ice Cream Parlor where hand-dipped ice cream is sold to help end childhood hunger today. Parlor visitors may also place a donation into a point-of-purchase “Hershey’s Ice Cream No Kid Hungry” can, the same type of can as those in which the parlors receive the four special flavors. 

Closer to summer, more information will be available at www.hersheyicecream.com/nokidhungry, Hershey’s Creamery said.

“For 125 years, we have been all about bringing smiles to the faces of people eating our products,” stated Zach Waite, director of brand development. “We feel it is time to make sure we help hungry kids have a reason to smile as well.”