ST. LOUIS (Aug. 14, 2015) - America's Farmers Grow Communities will partner again with farmers to award more than $3.3 million to community nonprofits across the country. In Iowa, 99 organizations will receive donations in 2016. Sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, the program's purpose is to make a positive impact in rural communities by giving farmers a chance to direct $2,500 donations to eligible nonprofit organizations of their choice. Farmer enrollment for Grow Communities kicks off on Aug. 1 and runs through Nov. 30, 2015.

Since the program's inception, farmers have directed donations to help fire departments purchase equipment and complete training, send FFA and 4-H groups to contests and conventions, provide food pantries with meals to serve those in need and boost agriculture curriculum in rural school districts. Other beneficiaries of the program have included health care organizations, youth and community centers, state parks and economic development programs, among many others.

"Thanks to the participation of farmers from across the country, more than 7,000 nonprofit organizations have received donations through Grow Communities in the past five years," said Deborah Patterson, Monsanto Fund president. "We are excited to team up with farmers once again to help support the causes that mean the most to them and strengthen rural America."

Iowa farmers can enroll in the program and find a complete list of program rules and eligibility information at www.GrowCommunities.com or by calling 877-267-3332 toll-free. Program winners will be announced in January. Follow Grow Communities' new Facebook page to learn more about the program and connect with past winners at facebook.com/AmericasFarmersGrowCommunities.

America's Farmers Grow Communities is part of the America's Farmers initiative. Since 2010, the America's Farmers campaign and programs have advocated on behalf of farmers and their efforts to meet society's needs through agriculture. Today, consumers are more interested than ever in agriculture and how food is grown. Farmers and others in the industry are joining in on the conversation to help raise awareness about agriculture and share their stories with their communities. Learn more at cfiengage.org.

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About America's Farmers

The America's Farmers campaign highlights the importance of modern US Agriculture through communications and community outreach programs that partner with farmers to impact rural America.  The outreach programs include :

• America's Farmers Grow Communities supports rural America by offering farmers the chance to win $2,500 for their favorite local nonprofit organization.
• America's Farmers Grow Rural Education supports rural education by offering farmers the chance to nominate local school districts, who can compete for a $10,000 or $25,000 merit-based grant to enhance math and science education.
• America's Farmers Grow Ag Leaders gives students pursuing a career in agriculture the opportunity to earn a $1,500 scholarship towards their education.
• America's Farmers Mom of the Year celebrates women in agriculture by offering the chance to win up to $10,000 and the title of "National Farm Mom of the Year".

To learn more, visit America's Farmers at www.americasfarmers.com.

About the Monsanto Fund

The Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the communities where farmers and Monsanto Company employees live and work. Visit the Monsanto Fund at www.monsantofund.org.

America's favorite fast-casual Italian chain to provide FREE kids' meals with purchase of an adult entrée at participating locations

LEXINGTON, Ky. - (October 1, 2015) - Noodles have been a food staple around the world for thousands of years, coming in an assortment of colors, shapes and sizes. Fazoli's, America's favorite fast-casual Italian restaurant chain, is celebrating National Noodle Day on Tuesday, October 6, with a special Kid's Night Spaghetti Smarts activity and social media contest.

There are approximately 350 different kinds of noodles; penne, fettucine, and rigatoni?just to name a few! On National Noodle Day, Fazoli's will celebrate them all. This year, Fazoli's will ask kids: "Do You Know Your Noodle?" with an exciting and educational Kids Night worksheet. All activity sheets will include a FREE Kids Meal with the purchase of an adult entrée to use at a future visit to Fazoli's.

"Here at Fazoli's, we live, breathe and eat everything noodle," said Jon Quinn, vice president of marketing at Fazoli's. "We're excited to provide families with a place to dine on National Noodle Day, where kids can have fun and parents can relax without having to worry about paying a fortune for dinner."

During the celebration on Oct. 6, parents will be encouraged to share a photo of their child through social media wearing their "I Know My Noodle" sticker, using the hashtag #NationalNoodleDay and tagging Fazoli's on Twitter (@Fazolis) or Instagram (@FazolisItalian) for the chance to win a $25 Fazoli's gift card.

Fazoli's is proud to offer a wide variety quality noodles to consumers across the country. To learn more about the savory dishes available Monday-Sunday at Fazoli's, visit www.fazolis.com.

About Fazoli's

With approximately 220 restaurants, Fazoli's is America's largest Italian fast-casual chain, serving freshly prepared entrees, Submarinos® sandwiches, salads and pizza. One of the New York Post's five breakout fast-casual restaurants and a FastCasual.com Brand of the Year, Fazoli's franchisees are experiencing record sales growth. Visit www.ownafazolis.com for details on development opportunities, including new operator incentives.

(Des Moines, IA) According to a recent poll conducted by Every Child Matters and the Child and Family Policy Center, 77% of Iowa voters believe it is a high priority for the future president to focus on the health, education, and well-being of our children. With strong support behind children's issues, presidential candidates should address their plans to support the opportunity for all kids to reach the American Dream.\

Every Child Matters in Iowa, a non-profit, non-partisan group advocating for greater investments in children, is hosting a kick-off event to seek Iowans' commitment to caucus for kids. The event will start conversations with Iowa voters and caucus goers to identify how they will share their voice for our kids.

WHO: The event is free and open to the general public
WHAT: Campaign Kick-Off to Commit to Caucus for Kids
WHEN: Tuesday, October 6, 2015, 12:00 - 1:00 PM, Lunch is included
WHERE: Mickle Center, 1620 Pleasant Street, Des Moines, IA

For more information, please contact Kelli Soyer, State Director, at (515) 971-9230 or ksoyer@everychildmatters.org.

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BACKGROUND:

The event on October 6, is part of the wide array of "Step Up" activities taking place during the fall throughout the U.S. Step Up for Kids was begun by Every Child Matters in 2008 to raise awareness among voters and candidates for office about the issues American children face, among them access to early care and learning and after-school programs, poverty, child abuse and neglect, and health care. Since then, events in more than 40 states have brought together thousands of people to show widespread support for investments in children and families.

Every Child Matters

The Every Child Matters Education Fund is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan organization focused on making the needs of children and youth a national political priority and promoting the adoption of smart policies for children, youth, and families?including stopping child abuse, helping working families with child care, expanding pre-school education and after-school programs, and ensuring that children receive good health care