LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The Bears have announced that Jewel-Osco will be the “Official Grocery Store of the Chicago Bears” for the 2007 season, marking the first time the team has had an official grocery sponsor since the renovation of Soldier Field in 2003. 

Jewel-Osco will become the official Title Sponsor of the 19th Annual Chicago Bears Coat Drive. With nearly 190 locations, Jewel-Osco locations will serve as drop-off points for the drive, which just last season collected over 18,000 coats benefiting the Salvation Army and public schools in the Chicagoland area.

Jewel-Osco will also be the Associate Sponsor of Chicago Bears Family Night and the Bears Backyard Tailgate. Family Night is an event for fans centered around a preseason Bears practice held at Soldier Field that includes music, games, fireworks and other forms of family entertainment.

The Backyard Tailgate, held on the Southeast Lawn at Soldier Field, includes food, music and live and interactive entertainment for all fans before each of the Bears first two home preseason games and first four regular season home contests during the 2007 season.

Another element of the corporate partnership is that officially licensed Bears apparel such as T-shirts, hats and sweatshirts will now be sold in Chicagoland Jewel-Osco stores.

“A Partnership between the Chicago Bears and Jewel-Osco is a perfect match,” Chicago Bears Senior Director of Sales and Marketing Chris Hibbs said. “Jewel-Osco’s commitment to serving the community and their strong presence in Chicagoland make them a terrific Partner for the Bears”. 

Jewel-Osco, a SUPERVALU company, operates 185 stores in Illinois, Iowa and Indiana. With the market-leading position in Chicago, Jewel-Osco offers consumers added conveniences, such as pharmacies and fuel centers. Originally established in 1899, the company and its associates remain committed to the communities they serve, contributing more than $4 million each year to a variety of local charitable causes. For more information about Jewel-Osco, please visit www.jewelosco.com.