For the weekend of Nov. 3-4, Hershey’s Chocolate World donated $5 from every “Create Your Own Candy Bar” purchase to the American Red Cross.

The Hershey Co. has been active in its disaster relief contributions following Hurricane Sandy, including candy donations to a local shelter.

Hershey contributed $50,000 to the American Red Cross disaster relief fund prior to Hurricane Sandy so that resources could be immediately be put to use the moment need arose.

Officials from the Red Cross have indicated to their major donors, such as Hershey, that to best prepare them for the inevitable disasters that take place, it is more effective for donations to be made up front, as opposed to immediately following a disaster. Red Cross officials noted it is less effective to coordinate and target funding after the Red Cross has already responded to a disaster.

Hershey employees also have been guided on how they can make personal contributions to the Red Cross general disaster relief fund and through the United Way.

Hershey has been contributing to the American Red Cross disaster relief efforts for more than 25 years and is a long-time partner with the United Way. Hershey is also engaging in additional measures to help those who need it in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

Hershey donated product to a Red Cross shelter in Somerset, N.J., on Nov. 3. Red Cross shelters in this community are helping hundreds of families recover from Hurricane Sandy. Ten pallets of Hershey candy including Hershey’s, Kit Kat and Reese’s Snack Size items were delivered on Saturday morning. This is approximately 5,000 bags of product that hopefully will help bring smiles to families in the area.

In addition, for the weekend of Nov. 3-4, Hershey’s Chocolate World donated $5 from every “Create Your Own Candy Bar” purchase to the American Red Cross.

Highlights from Hershey’s Chocolate World
• Hersey has raised more than $10,000 for the Red Cross disaster relief effort.
• Visitors expressed many positive comments about the donation over the weekend.
• Overall attendance at Hershey’s Create Your Own Candy Bar nearly doubled this weekend compared to the same weekend last year.

Support the Relief Effort in Hershey
Hershey is partnering with the Derry Township Police Department to gather relief supplies to Hurricane Sandy victims in the Howard Beach section of Queens, N.Y., as well as other locations to be determined based on the amount of supplies collected.

Hershey and its logistics partner, CR England, have donated a trailer and the transportation to bring the needed supplies to those impacted by the storm.

Beginning today, Hershey employees and members of the Hershey community are supporting the effort by donating:

*       Bottled Drinking Water

*       Blankets

*       Food (Not requiring electric for preparation)

*       Bar Soap, Toothpaste, Tooth Brushes, Wash Clothes and Towels

*       Packing Tape

*       Cardboard Boxes

*       Personal Insect Repellent —6-14 ounces

*       Laundry Detergent—25 or 50-ounce bottles

*       Liquid Household Cleaner— 12-16 ounce bottles

*       Scrubbing Brushes, Buckets

*       Dish Soap, Air Freshener