SunChips Helps to Rebuild Greensburg, Kansas

On May 4, 2007, a deadly tornado struck Greensburg, Kansas, destroying 95 percent of the town. Capturing compelling human stories as Greensburg residents experience the sustainable rebirth of their community, Greensburg shows that when individuals, companies and communities come together, the results are a dramatic improvement to social, economic and environmental living conditions. Greensburg, which is executive produced by actor and environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio’s production company, Appian Way, and Craig Piligian’s Pilgrim Films & Television, began airing June 15 on Discovery Communications’ new 24-hour eco-lifestyle and entertainment channel, Planet Green.

This Friday, August 1 (10:00 PM ET/PT) on Planet Green’s 13-part television series Greensburg, the residents of Greensburg learn that a vital part of the town’s redevelopment — the return of businesses — has been funded by SunChips, Frito-Lay’s popular line of multigrain snacks. The SunChips brand committed $1 million dollars to support a business incubator, which will house 10 local businesses and provide the economic infrastructure to support the return of Greensburg residents. There will be additional airings from August 4-7.

Inspired by the town’s desire to rebuild as an environmentally friendly and sustainable community, the SunChips brand announced it would provide funding to help build a business incubator, which is expected to open before the end of this year. This upcoming episode captures a special ceremony on the one-year anniversary of the tornado in Greensburg and the groundbreaking for the SunChips Business Incubator. A grant from the United States Department of Agriculture is also helping to bring back the community.

“Our commitment to help bring ‘Main Street’ back to Greensburg is important, but our efforts will be even more powerful if it motivates others to get involved too,” said Gannon Jones, vice president, marketing, Frito-Lay North America. “By capturing our efforts as part of a compelling and engaging story line we hope viewers will be moved, as we were, to take their small steps toward a better planet, and to help re-build Greensburg.”

In line with how Greensburg is being rebuilt as an eco-friendly town and the SunChips brand’s ongoing commitment to green, renewable energy, the business incubator will be solar-powered. In addition to supporting the local businesses, the SunChips brand will help rebuild the home of one of its own associates, which was devastated in the tornado last year.

Another result of the devastating tornado was the destruction of the tree canopy in Greensburg. To help re-green Greensburg, the SunChips brand will donate $1 for the replanting of trees for each person who adds a new SunChips/Greensburg widget to their Facebook profile. For more information and to access the SunChips “Green Greensburg” application on Facebook, visit SunChips.

The Kroger Co., which has supported the Greensburg rebuilding efforts in a number of ways, including reopening a Dillons/Kwik Shop grocery and gas store to serve the Greensburg community, is also partnering with the SunChips brand to get its customers involved in helping Greensburg. A national display event will occur in September, where consumers will learn how they can continue to help Greensburg rebuild.

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