Carlos Santana Aids the Fight Against World Hunger by Raising $40,000 for Three Food Square Bank

December 18, 2009

LAS VEGAS- In November, local headliner Carlos Santana partnered with Three Square Food Bank, World Hunger Year (WHY) and AEG Live to help children in need by collecting food and monetary donations at his resident show, Supernatural Santana: A Trip Through the Hits, at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Carlos Santana's Milagro Foundation also made a very generous donation to the cause.  The combined efforts raised close to $40,000, which will help provide 120,000 meals to Las Vegas families in need.

"Three Square's mission is to provide wholesome food to hungry people, while passionately pursuing a hunger free community and I can't think of a more passionate person than Carlos or a more passionate group of people than those who made this generous donation possible," said Julie Murray, president and CEO of the Three Square Food Bank.  "These funds will be put to great use providing food and hope to children and their families in our community who are struggling with hunger."

During the eight November Santana performances, concertgoers were encouraged to bring five non-perishable food items or make a $5 donation to the Three Square Food Bank. Fans who participated received a $5 gift certificate to participating restaurants Ago and Rare 120 inside Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

"The Milagro Foundation is proud to help Three Square in Las Vegas. We feel strongly about providing healthy food access, especially to children and youth with growing minds and bodies.  We know that this food will feed the young souls that are benefitting from this amazing program," said Shelley Brown, executive director of Carlos Santana's Milagro Foundation.

"We are thrilled with the amount of money that was raised to support this wonderful cause. It truly goes to show you how wonderful Carlos' fans are. Without their support we wouldn't have been able to help so many families," said John Meglen, President and Co-CEO of AEG Live/Concerts West. "It is very important to Carlos and AEG to give back to the local community and we hope our efforts inspire others to do the same by becoming involved."

Santana plays approximately 36 times per year at The Joint, with a show time of 8 p.m. Performances take place on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday (dark Monday, Tuesday and Thursday). Ticket prices start at only $51 and can be purchased by visiting the Hard Rock Hotel Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, online at Ticketmaster.com or charge-by-phone at 800-745-3000. For groups of 12 or more, call the Hard Rock Hotel Box Office at (702) 693-5220. For more information, visit www.supernaturalsantana.com, Carlos Santana's Facebook page or The Joint's Facebook page.

About Supernatural Santana: A Trip Through the Hits
Starring legendary guitarist Carlos Santana and his prolific band, Supernatural Santana: A Trip Through the Hits is Las Vegas' first and only rock-n-roll resident show. Playing approximately 36 times per year at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, the exclusive concert experience is part of a multi-year contract with AEG Live that makes the Joint the only U.S. venue west of the Mississippi where fans can see Santana. The show highlights Santana's career-spanning classics such as "Oye Como Va," "Black Magic Woman," "Evil Ways," and "Maria Maria," but creates a one-of-a-kind experience for fans with an ever-changing set list and unique musical energy each night. For concert schedules, more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.supernaturalsantana.com.

About WHY
WHY (World Hunger Year, Inc.) is dedicated to fighting the root causes of hunger and poverty by supporting grassroots organizations that create self-reliance, economic justice and equal access to nutritious and affordable food. Founded in 1975 by the late Harry Chapin and current Executive Director Bill Ayres, WHY works to put an end to hunger suffered by 36.2 million Americans and nearly 1 billion people worldwide.  WHY's main programs include the National Hunger Hotline 1-866-3-HUNGRY, which refers individuals in need of emergency food assistance to soup kitchens, food banks, government programs and community organizations in their neighborhoods; the Grassroots Action Network, which provides information, networking opportunities, capacity building and access to over 8,000 anti-hunger and poverty community organizations across the United States and around the world; and Artists Against Hunger & Poverty which is supported by Bruce Springsteen, Michael McDonald, Jackson Browne, Crosby Stills & Nash, Chicago, Earth Wind & Fire, Joss Stone, Darryl McDaniels, O.A.R. and many others. www.whyhunger.org.

About Three Square:
Three Square was established in 2006 to end hunger in the valley by providing wholesome, nutritious meals to non-profit organizations that serve a wide range of Southern Nevadans in need. A national model project inspired by Eric Hilton with a grant provided by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Three Square is a community collaborative partnership with the gaming industry, businesses, non-profit agencies, food distributors, UNLV, the CCSD, governmental entities, the media and hundreds of volunteers to efficiently and effectively serve hope to those in our community struggling with hunger. Three Square currently provides 17 million pounds of food - the equivalent of 13 million meals annually - to more than 270 non-profit and faith-based organizations and 185 schools throughout Southern Nevada. Three Square is a member of the Feeding America network for food banks. www.threesquare.org.

About Carlos Santana:
Forty years and as many albums later, Santana has sold more than 90 million records and has performed to more than 100 million fans at concerts worldwide. To date, Santana has won ten GRAMMY® Awards, including a record-tying nine for a single project, 1999's Supernatural (including Album of the Year and Record of the Year for "Smooth"). In 1998, the group was ushered into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, whose web page on their induction notes, "Guitarist Carlos Santana is one of rock's true virtuosos and guiding lights." Among many other honors, Carlos Santana has also been cited by Rolling Stone as #15 on their list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists Of All Time," and #90 on their 2005 survey of the "100 Greatest Artists Of All Time."