
Dole Food Company Partners With U.S. State Department To Provide Scholarships In The Philippines
Westlake Village, California - December 02, 2008
Dole Food Company, Inc. today announced that it will provide scholarships to students in the Philippines as part of a partnership with the U.S. State Department on the English Access Microscholarship Program.
To commemorate its 40th anniversary, Dole Philippines is matching $40,000 provided by the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to fund scholarships, giving students the opportunity to develop English language skills, which leads to better jobs and economic growth.
"Public-private partnerships such as Access Microscholarships are critical to Dole's long-term investment in the communities in which we operate," said David DeLorenzo, president and chief executive officer of Dole Food Company.
Dole's participation in the Access Microscholarship Program complements a number of community-focused initiatives Dole Philippines has implemented, including the highly successful "Chairs-for-Trees" program, which provides desks and chairs for local schools and has planted over one million trees in the Philippines. Dole also provides social and education programs, health services and infrastructure to communities throughout the Philippines.
"We are delighted that Dole Philippines has joined us in this public-private partnership," said Goli Ameri, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs. "These partnerships with the private sector will expand the positive work of the Department of State as well as the private sector. This is an opportunity to collaborate on a groundbreaking program that opens doors for young people, as they learn language and leadership skills that will serve them for a lifetime."
About the English Access Microscholarship Program:The U.S. State Department's English Access Microscholarship Program provides a foundation of English language skills to non-elite teenagers worldwide through afterschool classes and intensive summer learning activities. Access students gain an appreciation for American culture and democratic values, increase their ability to participate successfully in the socio-economic development of their countries, and position themselves to compete for and participate in future U.S. exchange and study programs. Since its inception in 2004, approximately 44,000 students in over 55 countries have participated in the Access Program.
About Dole Food Company:Dole Food Company, Inc., with 2007 revenues of $6.9 billion, is the world's largest producer and marketer of high-quality fresh fruit and fresh vegetables. Dole markets a growing line of packaged foods and frozen fruit and is a produce industry leader in nutrition education and research. For more information on the company's CSR efforts, please visit www.dolecsr.com.