This quarter, Project Open Hand would like to honor Altria Group, Inc. through our corporate spotlight.

Altria Group, Inc. is the world's largest producer and marketer of consumer packaged goods, and the largest food company in the nation, employing a workforce of 169,000 people in more than 150 countries. The companies in the Altria family have been making grants to nonprofit organizations - local, national and international - since 1956, making it one of the nation's oldest corporate giving programs.

Today, they are also one of the largest corporate grant makers in the United States. In fact, Altria is one of the largest corporate funders for hunger relief programs in the country. Through their alliance with the AIDS Nutrition Services Alliance, or ANSA, Altria has donated nearly $200,000 to Project Open Hand since 1989 through their Positive Helpings grant program.

In addition, Altria recently gave Project Open Hand a generous grant through their September 11th Fund. This Fund was established by Altria as means by which to aid organizations that experienced a decrease in donations after the events of September 11th.

Project Open Hand Executive Director Tom Nolan receiving the check from Altria District Manager, John Lawrenz.

Project Open Hand is deeply grateful for the generous support received from Altria Group, Inc.