PR NewswireNORTH BERGEN, N.J.
NORTH BERGEN, N.J., Oct. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — During the month of October, The Vitamin Shoppe will accept cash donations on behalf of Vitamin Angels. An estimated 190 million children suffer from vitamin A deficiency (VAD) worldwide. Operation 20/20 reduces mortality rates in areas targeted by this program by 24%.
"Over the past few years, The Vitamin Shoppe customers have donated more than $1 million for Vitamin Angels, and helped more than four million children," said Tony Truesdale, Chief Executive Officer of The Vitamin Shoppe. "We're proud to partner with our customers to help children in need."
Focusing on the underserved and those without access to facility-based health services, Vitamin Angels connects infants and children with vitamin A. In addition, Operation 20/20 often combines vitamin A with anti-parasitic treatments that eliminate the presence of intestinal worms that contribute to poor absorption of vitamin A. This ensures that at-risk children obtain sufficient vitamin A, decreasing the effects of VAD and advancing child immune function and survival.
In 2011, Operation 20/20 is set to reach 24 million infants and children in 33 countries on three continents with vitamin A.
The Vitamin Shoppe is raising funds for Vitamin Angels in store at the register. Customers can donate $1 or more to the campaign and sign a Vitamin Angels paper angel to hang in the store. Any customer who donates $10 or more in store will receive a limited edition insulated cup.
About Vitamin Shoppe, Inc. (NYSE: VSI)
Vitamin Shoppe is a leading specialty retailer and direct marketer of nutritional products based in North Bergen, New Jersey. The company sells vitamins, minerals, nutritional supplements, herbs, sports nutrition formulas, homeopathic remedies, green living products, and health and beauty aids to customers located primarily in the United States. The company carries national brand products as well as exclusive products under the Vitamin Shoppe and BodyTech proprietary brands. The Vitamin Shoppe conducts business through more than 500 company-owned retail stores, national mail order catalogs, website, www.VitaminShoppe.com and has a social community site at www.VSconnect.com. Follow The Vitamin Shoppe on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/THEVITAMINSHOPPE and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/VitaminShoppe.
About Vitamin Angels
Vitamin Angels is dedicated to reducing child mortality worldwide by advancing availability, access and use of essential micronutrients, especially Vitamin A, among at-risk populations worldwide. In 2010, Vitamin Angels connected over 22,500,000 children in 43 countries, including the US, with the vital nutrients they need as a foundation for good health. Vitamin Angels has earned four consecutive 4-star ratings by Charity Navigator, America's premier charity evaluator. To learn more visit www.vitaminangels.org.
SOURCE The Vitamin Shoppe