HispanicBusiness

Cacique officially announces today its first-ever school fundraising program "Cacique and You Can Help Your UNO School". For 10 consecutive weeks, the number one brand of Hispanic cheeses, chorizos and creams, seeks to engage more than 4,000 students as part of a novel social responsibility campaign. The program aims to donate up to $10,000 to UNO Charter School Network, a premier Chicago school group, in order to help improve students' learning environment in predominantly Hispanic communities.

"Cacique and UNO have partnered to offer an exciting platform to encourage parents and students to give back and support their school community," said Tirso Iglesias, Director of Marketing and Sales for Cacique, the leading manufacturer of queso fresco (fresh cheese) in the U.S. "By creating this program, Cacique provides a unique opportunity to teach students about the importance of service and giving back."

The program is open to all students up to 8th grade currently enrolled in one of the participating schools under the UNO Charter School Network (UCSN) umbrella. Kids and parents simply clip the barcodes (UPCs) from any Cacique product and turn them in to the teacher in charge at their school. For every barcode redeemed, the UCSN will receive a 10 cent donation.

"The program will not only build school spirit, but will get students to work with their parents toward a cause," said Carlos Jaramillo, Deputy Chief of Staff and program coordinator for United Neighborhood Organization. "We are pleased to support an initiative that will help to sustain our children's educational needs - from books and school supplies to computers."

As a special incentive, the classroom with the highest number of UPC bar codes will win a trip to a Chicago White Sox game and the top redeeming student from each participating school will receive an iPod Shuffle and 52 coupons equivalent to a year supply of Cacique products. The winners will be invited to a special awards ceremony in the spring of 2013.

The program runs through April 30, 2013 and is sponsored by Pete's Fresh Market, Cermak Fresh Market and other participating local independent stores. For more information, visit the Cacique Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Cacique.