MoonPie along with country music artist Craig Morgan, is shipping over 35,000 MoonPies to USO centers across the country this week as a thank you treat for U.S. troops who are heading home for the holidays.
MoonPie enlisted the country music star and Army veteran to assist with a six-month social media campaign that invited MoonPie and Morgan fans to donate a free MoonPie to the troops. The USO, with their long history of supporting American troops, was the natural partner for the campaign.
“Chattanooga Bakery has demonstrated its ongoing support for our troops since WW II," said Tory
Johnston, VP of Marketing at MoonPie. “Partnering with Craig Morgan and the USO was really perfect for this “thank you” campaign for our servicemen and women.”
Craig Morgan, a native of Tennessee and a lifelong MoonPie fan, was featured on 250,000 MoonPie retail cartons this summer and fall and has actively promoted the campaign to his fans at concerts, during the CMA Music Festival, and online. Mr. Morgan has also been on four USO tours and has seen firsthand the sacrifices our nation’s troops make as they serve. While on his USO tours, Morgan visited more than 32,000 troops in locations far from home, including Afghanistan, Guam, Iraq and Japan.
“You would be amazed at what a simple taste from home means to someone who is fighting for our country,” said Mr. Morgan.
The campaign was particularly meaningful for one member of the Chattanooga Bakery staff, Purchasing Manager Larry Webb. “I’ve worked for Chattanooga Bakery for over a decade, and it is things like this that make me proud to tell my grandkids what I do for a living. As a Vietnam veteran I know just how much this will mean to our soldiers.”
With its long history of working with brands to lift the spirits of American troops, the USO was excited to join in. “Thanks to MoonPie and Craig Morgan, 35,000 American servicemen and women will be welcomed home with a nostalgic treat!” said Emily Branch, USO account manager.