Photos: National Survey Reveals Two in Five Americans Are More Grateful Now Versus Last Year

Photos: National Survey Reveals Two in Five Americans Are More Grateful Now
Versus Last Year
Survey by the Chinet(R) brand finds nearly 70 percent are inspired by feelings
of gratitude to give back

DESOTO, Kan., Nov. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite job losses, foreclosures and
climbing interest rates, Americans surprisingly are focusing on what they
have. In fact 43 percent of Americans are feeling more grateful than they were
at this time last year, according to a recent nationwide survey commissioned
by the Chinet® brand to support its Grateful Platefuls initiative to benefit
Feeding America®.

To view the Multimedia News Release, go to:
http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/chinet/41172/

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091112/NY10543 )

The online survey, conducted by Harris Interactive Oct. 27-29, included 2,173
adults aged 18 and over. Among the findings:

-- People are feeling more grateful this year. While two in five U.S.
adults (43 percent) are feeling more grateful than compared with the
same time last year, only a small percentage (11 percent) feel less
grateful.
-- Americans are expressing their gratitude. More than half of U.S.
adults
(51 percent) tell friends, family and colleagues they're glad to have
them in their life on a weekly basis. Nearly one quarter (24 percent)
vocalize this sentiment daily. Only 10 percent never express their
gratitude, with men being more likely to fall in this category (13
percent versus 6 percent of women).

-- Gratitude spurs giving. Nine out of 10 adults (90 percent) said that
feeling grateful inspires them to give to others. Seven out of 10
adults
(69 percent) actually follow through on that feeling by donating time
and/or money. More than one-third (34 percent) donate both time and
money because of feelings of gratitude.

How Servings of Gratitude Can Become Support
Gratitude often takes center stage during the holidays -- specifically when
families are getting together to enjoy festive meals. However, one in eight
people in this country are at risk of hunger and are uncertain of where their
next meal is coming from.

To help address the nation's hunger problem, the Chinet brand and Feeding
America -- the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity -- are
partnering with actress Marcia Cross to launch the Grateful Platefuls program.
All are invited to join this online initiative at facebook.com/mychinet by
simply sharing what they're grateful for. And when they do, they'll help
activate a $100,000 donation -- equaling 700,000 meals -- from the Chinet
brand to Feeding America.

"There is so much to be grateful for during the holidays and we need to
recognize the opportunities we have to give to others," said Cross. "I
encourage people to visit the Grateful Platefuls page on Facebook and share
their gratitude, because it only takes a few clicks of a mouse to make a real
difference in the lives of people in need."

Visitors can further customize their message by selecting the style of plate
on which they'd like to serve up their gratitude. Each user also has the
option to upload a photo to show what they're grateful for.

Survey Methodology
Harris Interactive® fielded the study on behalf of Huhtamaki, makers of Chinet
from October 27-29, 2009, via its QuickQuery(SM) online omnibus service,
interviewing a nationwide sample of 2,173 U.S. adults aged 18 years and older.
Data were weighted using propensity score weighting to be representative of
the total U.S. adult population on the basis of region, age within gender,
education, household income, race/ethnicity and propensity to be online. No
estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated; a full methodology
is available.

About the Chinet Brand
Made in America since the 1930s, Chinet disposable tableware has a long
history of making strong plates and even stronger memories as friends and
family gather. Chinet products give you the strength and style you depend on
with the added peace of mind that you're using environmentally friendly
products. For more information about the Chinet family of products, visit
www.MyChinet.com.

About Feeding America
Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families with the fuel to
survive and even thrive. As the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief
charity, our network members supply food to more than 25 million Americans
each year, including 9 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the
entire United States, more than 200 member food banks support 63,000 agencies
that address hunger in all of its forms. For more information on how you can
fight hunger in your community and across the country, visit
http://www.feedingamerica.org.

SOURCE Chinet(R) brand

Tony Saucier for the Chinet brand, +1-612-215-9784, tsaucier@oco.com