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Taste of the Nation Enjoys Biggest Event Ever Despite A Tough Year

For Immediate Release.  May 22, 2002, Birmingham, Alabama:  Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation, nationally presented by American Express, celebrated its fifteenth year this season in Birmingham by raising more money than ever before.  Charitable giving is down nationwide, but the spirit of Birmingham was alive and well, giving more than $60,000 to the cause this past Monday night.

"For 15 consecutive years the Birmingham community has stepped up to the plate by donating countless hours of their time, money and gourmet food to help Share Our Strength end hunger," said Diane Hightower, volunteer chair of this year's event.  "We want to make a special effort to show our appreciation to the wonderful restaurants, chefs and wine vendors who have made Taste of the Nation a delicious and unique way to fight hunger.  We also want to thank the more than 1,000 people who came out on a rainy Monday night in support of Magic City Harvest and P.A.T.H. (Partnership Assistance to the Homeless), two local service organizations who count on this event for operating funds."

After the September 11th terrorist attacks and with the downturn in the economy, restaurants across the country are experiencing a sharp drop in business.  Still, Birmingham's food and wine businesses continue to commit to the donation of their time, resources and remarkable food and drink for Taste of the Nation.  In turn, they call on local residents to "share their strength" by attending Taste of the Nation.

Thanks to corporate partnerships, 100 percent of all Taste of the Nation ticket sales supports Share Our Strength's efforts to end hunger.  In addition to the national presenting sponsor American Express, NorthStar Communications Group, a BE&K company, served as a major corporate sponsor of this year's event.

"In an era when private-sector support and community involvement are increasingly important to helping at-risk individuals, Taste of the Nation serves as an innovative, exciting community-based model for a solution to fighting hunger," said Bill Johnson, president and CEO of NorthStar.

Since 1988, Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation has raised more than $46 million, which has been distributed to more than 450 of the most effective organizations fighting hunger and poverty.  For more information about Share Our Strength, go to www.strength.org.

NorthStar Communications Group, Inc., with corporate headquarters in Birmingham, Alabama, serves as the stand-alone telecommunications subsidiary of BE&K, Inc.  NorthStar offers a full suite of wireline and wireless infrastructure services as well as network maintenance and operations solutions.  For more information regarding NorthStar's service offerings, refer to our website at www.NorthStar.net.

For more information contact:

Emily Holcombe
NorthStar Communications Group, Inc.
E-mail: HolcombeE@NorthStar.net

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Copyright 2002 NSCG

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