In its continuing effort to provide hope and passion about raising awareness of breast cancer and other female-related cancers, Hanover, Pa.-based snack food producer Utz Quality Foods Inc. is donating $50,000 to two renowned cancer charities. The donation will benefit the Breast Cancer Charities of America, a national organization committed to eliminating breast cancer as a life-threatening illness, and Pink Out Inc., a community charity that provides support and financial assistance to cancer patients.

Utz presented the donation to representatives of the two charities in a ceremony on Oct. 9 at the Utz Factory Outlet in Hanover. On hand for the event were (above, left to right) Dylan Lissette, president and COO, Utz Quality Foods; Jo Ann Corriere, Pink Out Inc.; Jane Rice, Pink Out Inc.; and Erica Tullis, executive director, Breast Cancer Charities of America.

To help create meaningful gains in the fight against breast cancer, Utz released a limited-edition bag of its popular regular potato chips in May. With the release of the limited-edition pink bag, Utz committed to donating a portion of the sales proceeds to the Pink Out Women’s Cancer Fund and the Breast Cancer Charities of America, so that the organizations could ensure that more financial resources are reaching women and families in need. Among Utz’s many philanthropic and community efforts, the cause of fighting cancer and supporting women in treatment is particularly close to the hearts of Utz chairman and CEO Mike Rice, and his wife, Jane, a breast cancer survivor since 1990. Recognizing the need for a local support effort for women facing breast cancer, Jane became one of the founders of Pink Out Inc., in 2007, and remains actively involved in the organization today.

“Now, more than ever, much-needed outreach is finding its way to families impacted by a breast cancer diagnosis,” she says. “But the work will not be finished until breast cancer is eradicated as a life-threatening illness. Utz is proud to support Pink Out Inc. and the Breast Cancer Charities of America as we strive to make this goal a reality.”

Dylan Lissette, president and COO of Utz adds: “As all of us at Utz have witnessed the impact of breast cancer on our families, our employees, our community and our country as a whole, we knew we wanted to offer a way for people to enjoy our products and provide funding to the worthwhile cause of supporting breast cancer patients and their loved ones. Together, we can all make a difference in the fight against breast cancer.”