Pepperidge Farm Lends a Hand at Domestic Violence Shelter

Women of Pepperidge Transform a “Safe House” into a Home

Norwalk, CT – More than sixty years ago, female entrepreneur and Pepperidge Farm founder Margaret Rudkin moved her company to Norwalk, bringing with her a pioneering viewpoint on women in business, and a passion for helping others succeed. Today, a Pepperidge Farm employee group called “The Women of Pepperidge” keeps that spirit alive, most recently by volunteering two afternoons in June to make improvements to a Norwalk “safe house,” a place where women of domestic violence can find refuge. The shelter provides free confidential services to anyone who is a victim of domestic violence or abuse and the staff are there to help these victims find ways to live more peaceful lives. This particular “safe house” needed extensive refurbishment from the wall to the bedding, curtains and accessories including lamps and artwork.

“The “Women of Pepperidge” provide a compassionate and essential example of volunteer activism. Their work to renovate and renew this safe house in order to offer greater comfort to local women in need of shelter reflects the culture and generosity that Pepperidge Farm has always brought to Norwalk, states Mayor Richard Moccia.

“The women of Pepperidge Farm were intent on making improvements that would boost the spirits of the residents,” said Ruthann Walsh, Director, Corporate Citizenship at Pepperidge Farm. “It was impressive to watch them work together to renovate this home. They put their heart and soul into it, carefully selecting just the right colors, wall hangings and bed covers to be sure the rooms were calming, comfortable and attractive. They truly transformed the house into a home. Margaret Rudkin would have been proud.”

Rachelle Kucera Mehra Executive Director of the Domestic Violence Crisis Center said that when the residents returned to the house they hardly recognized it because of the transformation that had taken place. She summed it up saying, “What is better in life than to leave a gift to those who have been left behind.”

The guiding principle of The Women of Pepperidge Farm is to “help women achieve and demonstrate their full potential.” The group’s other initiatives include counseling teenage girls and holding a clothing drive for Dress for Success, an organization that provides women the tools they need to succeed in business.

Pepperidge Farm as a whole has shown its dedication to the community by preparing Calf Pasture Beach and Sheffield Island for Memorial Day opening in May, and partnering with Norwalk Economic Opportunity Now (NEON) to renovate two local community centers, Nathaniel Ely and Benjamin Franklin. In addition, Pepperidge Farm has donated time and money to the community of Norwalk through various programs and volunteer opportunities such as Norwalk Nursing and Home Care, Norwalk Emergency Shelter, the Norwalk Hospital and the Norwalk Schools.

“The “Women of Pepperidge” provide yet another example of their company’s tradition of community service. Refurbishment of the safe house follows Pepperidge Farm’s recent sponsorship of the Norwalk Keep America Beautiful Campaign. The affiliation with KAB will enhance the quality of life in our neighborhoods and business centers. We are fortunate and most grateful to Pepperidge Farm for their willingness to continue extending the spirit of good will to the Norwalk Community,” states Mayor Moccia.

Pepperidge Farm’s contribution to the Norwalk Community has been recognized by recent awards from NEON, the Human Services Council of Fairfield County and the United Way of Coastal Fairfield County. “At the heart of Pepperidge Farm has our company value, ‘a spirit of teamwork with genuine caring,’ and we are happy for opportunities to live that out by partnering with so many great organizations in our hometown of Norwalk,” said Walsh. “We want to continue the tradition of care and support for those in need, which was so important to our founder.”

About Pepperidge Farm

Pepperidge Farm, Incorporated, based in Norwalk, Connecticut, is a leading provider of premium quality fresh bakery products, cookies, crackers, and frozen foods. The company was named the number one place to work in Connecticut in the large companies category of the Best Places to Work in Connecticut competition for 2009. Among the company’s most popular products are Chocolate Chunk and Milano cookies, Goldfish crackers, and more than 50 varieties of fresh baked breads including Swirl, Pepperidge Farm FarmhouseÔ, 100% Natural and Whole Grain. The company recently added Ecce Panis gourmet artisan breads to its portfolio.

Pepperidge Farm was founded in Connecticut in 1937 by Margaret Rudkin, an entrepreneurial homemaker who began baking fresh, all-natural bread for her allergy-afflicted son. The company is now a nationwide business with 9 manufacturing facilities, almost 5,000 employees, 3,500 independent distributorships operating 4,000 trucks, and over $1.45 billion in sales. Pepperidge Farm has been part of the Campbell Soup Company since 1961.