All Children’s Hospital Johns Hopkins Medicine Continues Fight Against Childhood Obesity with Grant from Kohl’s Department Stores

St. Petersburg, FL– September 16, 2014 – All Children’s Hospital Johns Hopkins Medicine received a $215,980 grant from Kohl’s Department Stores to continue its Kohl’s Cooks for Kids community-based healthy living program for the eighth year. The program encourages families to cook and eat healthy meals together, with the ultimate goal of preventing childhood obesity. Families also learn basic culinary skills and how to prepare healthy recipes on a budget.

Through the Kohl’s Cooks for Kids program, All Children’s Hospital will continue to offer healthy cooking and nutrition classes in the Tampa Bay area as well as family cooking events such as the “Mom and Me Cook-off” and “Teen Chili Challenge.” Since 2006, more than 5,000 participants each year have attended these programs and received healthy meal and fitness tips. Additionally, more than 80,000 free Kohl’s Cares “YumYum! Let’s Make Some!” cookbooks have been requested through the Fit4AllKids and Kohl’s Cooks for Kids websites.

“The Kohl’s Cooks for Kids program has had such a positive impact in the Tampa Bay area and encouraged thousands of families to adopt healthy eating habits,” said Kellie Gilmore, coordinator for Fit4AllKids. “Helping these families make healthier lifestyle choices is so important, especially with childhood obesity rates at an all-time high.”

In a follow-up survey of 200 Kohl’s Cooks for Kids program participants, more than 80 percent of families said they committed to making healthy changes after attending the program. Additionally, 51 percent of the families said they cook at home five to six days a week, and 78 percent used recipes they learned in class.

Through these programs, Kohl's and All Children's Hospital have the opportunity to educate and encourage parents and provide practical solutions for keeping the whole family healthy. Since 2006, Kohl’s has donated more than $1.2 million to All Children’s Hospital, supporting  initiatives through Kohl’s Cares that include the “YumYum! Let’s Make Some!” cookbook, Newspaper In Education teaching supplements, family cooking classes, the Kohl’s Cooks for Kids website and other community outreach programs.

Kohl's commitment to All Children’s Hospital is made possible through the Kohl's Cares® cause merchandise program. Through this initiative, Kohl’s sells $5 books and plush toys, where 100 percent of net profit benefits children’s health and education programs nationwide, including hospital partnerships like this one. Kohl's has raised more than $257 million through this merchandise program. In addition to the merchandise program, Kohl's Cares® features the Kohl's Cares® Scholarship Program, which last year recognized more than 2,300 young volunteers with more than $400,000 in scholarships and prizes. Through the Kohl’s Associates in Action volunteer program, more than 834,000 associates have donated more than 2.7 million hours of their time since 2001, and Kohl’s has donated more than $79 million to youth-focused nonprofit organizations. Kohl’s also offers fundraising gift cards for schools and youth-serving organizations. For more information, visit www.Kohls.com/Cares.

About All Children’s Hospital

All Children’s Hospital, a member of Johns Hopkins Medicine located in St. Petersburg, is the most advanced children’s hospital on Florida’s west coast and a U.S. News & World Report Best Children’s Hospital, ranking in the top 50 in three specialty areas. With over 50 pediatric specialties and 259 beds, All Children’s is dedicated to advancing children’s health through treatment, research, education and advocacy. Programs that include a Clinical and Translational Research Organization, pediatric biorepository and a new pediatric residency program are driving innovation in personalized pediatric medicine and child health. A network of 10 outpatient care centers in eight counties along with affiliate programs at regional hospitals makes All Children’s a leading provider of care for Florida’s children.

About Kohl’s

Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) is a leading specialty department store with 1,160 stores in 49 states. With a commitment to inspiring and empowering families to lead fulfilled lives, the company offers amazing national and exclusive brands, incredible savings and inspiring shopping experiences in-store, online at Kohls.com and via mobile devices. Committed to our communities, Kohl’s has raised more than $257 million for children’s initiatives nationwide through its Kohl’s Cares® cause merchandise program, which operates under Kohl's Cares, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kohl's Department Stores, Inc. For additional information about Kohl’s philanthropic and environmental initiatives, visit www.Kohls.com/Cares. For a list of store locations and information, or for the added convenience of shopping online, visit www.Kohls.com.

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