(From Business Wire)- This year, in recognition of the 15th anniversary of the Festival, The Coca-Cola Foundation will make two donations of $15,000 each to two local nonprofit organizations to help continue the renewal of New Orleans. The first gift supports the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation’s “Save our Lake,” an effort to restore and preserve the Lake, which complements the Company’s commitments to protect and preserve the environment.
Also receiving a donation is the Second Harvest Food Bank Of Greater New Orleans and Arcadiana which became the largest food bank in world history after the devastating impact of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The organization delivers more than 75 million pounds of food annually to communities still in recovery from the hurricanes.
Coca Cola also introduced a 15th Anniversary Essence/Coca Cola Commerative Bottle which will be given out during the festival and for which recycling will be available.
The Essence Music Festival is the nation’s largest annual gathering of African-American musical talent; featuring an unprecedented three days of cultural celebration and performances by some of today’s greatest African-American artists, including Salt n’ Pepa, John Legend, Ne-Yo and Beyonce.
The Festival runs through the 4th of July Weekend.