NAT SHERMAN CELEBRATES 85TH ANNIVERSARY WITH $100,000 CHARITABLE DONATION
Iconic Tobacconist Hosts Charitable Dinner Series To Benefit Food Banks Across The U.S.
NEW YORK (Nov. 11, 2015) – Nat Sherman, tobacconist to the World since 1930, announced that, in celebration of its 85thanniversary, the Company has raised over $100,000 for food banks and hunger-related charities across the country, including over $30,000 for City Harvest in New York City. The New York-based, family-owned company, raised funds by hosting a series of high-profile dinners and auctions in five cities since the beginning of the year. The announcement was made by the Sherman family at an event commemorating the 85th anniversary of Nat Sherman, which took place at the renowned Grand Havana Room in New York City.
“Hunger exists in every community where Nat Sherman products are sold, and we felt that one of the most meaningful ways to celebrate our 85th anniversary would be to raise awareness and make a difference for those in need,” said Michael Herklots, Vice President of Retail and Brand Development at Nat Sherman. “Nat Sherman has been a New York icon since 1930, and we could have no more worthy a local partner than City Harvest, the world’s first food rescue organization dedicated to helping feed the nearly 1.4 million New Yorkers facing hunger.”
“New York City is one of the most vibrant economic hubs in the world but inside many homes, the reality is much different. Nearly one in five New Yorkers struggle to put food on the table, and City Harvest is committed to providing good, nutritious food to our neighbors in need,” said Rebecca Fontes, City Harvest’s Director of New Business Development. “We thank Nat Sherman for standing with us in the fight against hunger. This generous donation will help feed over 1,200 families for a whole month.”
“It’s a privilege to partner with great organizations like City Harvest and Nat Sherman, who work tirelessly to aide those in need,” said Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian, owner of famed New York restaurants The National and The Lambs Club, and Chair of City Harvest. “Having an iconic brand like Nat Sherman to help us raise awareness and funds to combat the constant challenge of hunger that affects not only New York, but cities across the country, has been a tremendous lift to our efforts, and we thank them for all they’ve done.”
Held in conjunction with select Nat Sherman Tobacconists, each dinner series featured a selection of premium Nat Sherman cigars, including the limited edition Nat Sherman 85th Anniversary cigar. Funds were raised through ticket sales and proceeds from auctions of specially curated Nat Sherman items. In addition to the 85thanniversary celebration at the Grand Havana Room in New York City, events were held in Indianapolis, Chicago, Washington D.C., New Hampshire and New York City.
About City Harvest
City Harvest pioneered food rescue in 1982 and, this year, will collect 55 million pounds of excess food to help feed the nearly 1.4 million New Yorkers struggling to put meals on their tables. Through relationships with farms, restaurants, grocers, and manufacturers, City Harvest collects nutritious food that would otherwise go to waste and delivers it free of charge to 500 soup kitchens, food pantries and other community food programs across the five boroughs. City Harvest takes a long-term approach to hunger relief through its Healthy Neighborhoods initiative. In communities with elevated rates of food insecurity, poverty and diet-related illnesses, City Harvest has developed programs and partnerships to increase the availability of affordable, fresh produce and inspire healthy, budget-conscious meal choices through nutrition education. To learn more about food rescue, hunger relief and Healthy Neighborhoods in New York City, visit cityharvest.org.
