Pampered Chef Parent Corporation Stops Planned Parenthood Funding

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
July 7, 2003

Omaha, NE (LifeNews.com) -- On Thursday, Berkshire Hathaway, the corporation founded by billionaire investment guru Warren Buffet, announced that it will cease funding Planned Parenthood. For the pro-life advocates working at Pampered Chef who had been fighting the donations since the company was sold to Buffet's company, the decision is a full-fledged victory.

Last fall, Berkshire Hathaway purchase Pampered Chef and just last year the company's foundation distributed more than $11 million to pro-abortion organizations, including Planned Parenthood. The foundation also made a five year, $20 million financial commitment to International Projects Assistance Services, the principle maker of suction pumps used in abortions.

Only July 3, the corporation announced it will no longer allow its shareholders to designate recipients of Berkshire Hathaway's charitable giving. It also will cease funding Buffet's personal foundation. The decisions effectively cut off Planned Parenthood and pro-abortion groups from receiving funding from the corporation or its subsidiaries.

Under the program, Berkshire's Class A shareholders could choose up to three charities for Berkshire make donations to, with the size of the donation based on the number of shares owned.

The company admitted the boycott was harming its Pampered Chef company and said the independent kitchenware representatives were hurt by not being allowed a say in corporate charitable giving.

"The independent consultants that serve The Pampered Chef have no responsibility for what Berkshire Hathaway shareholders do, yet the careers of many of these consultants are now suffering because of the contributions program," the Berkshire Hathaway said in a statement.

Pampered Chef representatives nationwide launched an extensive email and word-of-mouth lobbying effort to stop the pro-abortion contributions. Numerous Pampered Chef consultant quit their jobs as a result.

Despite her $5,000-a-month sales record, Tara Siler didn't hesitate to quit when a fellow Chef told her about the pro-abortion donations. "It wasn't a hard decision because I knew what I had to do," the 30-year-old West Virginia mom.

Cindy Coughlon, a 33-year-old Arizona mother of three, rallied representatives from around the country and resigned her Pampered Chef position as well.

"[The Pampered Chef] is dedicated to promoting family life, but our money is dedicated to destroying life. That's not consistent," she said at the time.

In an email to representatives regarding the decision, Doris Christopher, founder and chairman of Pampered Chef, said she told Buffet about the complaints from thousands of company representatives concerning the pro-abortion contributions.

Christopher said the concerns "troubled him deeply" and Buffet understands, as his corporation expands, he must take into account diverse opinions about it.

Christopher also said the corporation will no longer donate to Buffet's personal foundation.

"Berkshire Hathaway will cease all corporate contributions of any kind to any non-profit organization," Christopher explained. "This means there will be no donations from Berkshire Hathaway to the Buffett Foundation."

Berkshire Hathway was a longtime boycott target of Life Decisions International, a group that monitors corporate donations to Planned Parenthood. The corporation also owns Dairy Queen, See's Candies and Fruit of the Loom.

In all, 92 corporations have ceased funding Planned Parenthood as a result of pro-life boycotts.

ACTION: Contact Warren Buffett, CEO; Berkshire Hathaway Inc., 1440 Kiewit Plaza, Omaha, NE 68131.


Enter your email address to receive news from LifeNews.com via email. Do you prefer to receive news daily or weekly? Daily Weekly Do you favor or oppose abortion? Favor Oppose Click here to make a PayPal donation to LifeNews.com!	Pampered Chef Parent Corporation Stops Planned Parenthood Funding by Steven Ertelt LifeNews.com Editor July 7, 2003 Omaha, NE (LifeNews.com) -- On Thursday, Berkshire Hathaway, the corporation founded by billionaire investment guru Warren Buffet, announced that it will cease funding Planned Parenthood. For the pro-life advocates working at Pampered Chef who had been fighting the donations since the company was sold to Buffet's company, the decision is a full-fledged victory. Last fall, Berkshire Hathaway purchase Pampered Chef and just last year the company's foundation distributed more than $11 million to pro-abortion organizations, including Planned Parenthood. The foundation also made a five year, $20 million financial commitment to International Projects Assistance Services, the principle maker of suction pumps used in abortions. Only July 3, the corporation announced it will no longer allow its shareholders to designate recipients of Berkshire Hathaway's charitable giving. It also will cease funding Buffet's personal foundation. The decisions effectively cut off Planned Parenthood and pro-abortion groups from receiving funding from the corporation or its subsidiaries. Under the program, Berkshire's Class A shareholders could choose up to three charities for Berkshire make donations to, with the size of the donation based on the number of shares owned. The company admitted the boycott was harming its Pampered Chef company and said the independent kitchenware representatives were hurt by not being allowed a say in corporate charitable giving. "The independent consultants that serve The Pampered Chef have no responsibility for what Berkshire Hathaway shareholders do, yet the careers of many of these consultants are now suffering because of the contributions program," the Berkshire Hathaway said in a statement. Pampered Chef representatives nationwide launched an extensive email and word-of-mouth lobbying effort to stop the pro-abortion contributions. Numerous Pampered Chef consultant quit their jobs as a result. Despite her $5,000-a-month sales record, Tara Siler didn't hesitate to quit when a fellow Chef told her about the pro-abortion donations. "It wasn't a hard decision because I knew what I had to do," the 30-year-old West Virginia mom. Cindy Coughlon, a 33-year-old Arizona mother of three, rallied representatives from around the country and resigned her Pampered Chef position as well. "[The Pampered Chef] is dedicated to promoting family life, but our money is dedicated to destroying life. That's not consistent," she said at the time. In an email to representatives regarding the decision, Doris Christopher, founder and chairman of Pampered Chef, said she told Buffet about the complaints from thousands of company representatives concerning the pro-abortion contributions. Christopher said the concerns "troubled him deeply" and Buffet understands, as his corporation expands, he must take into account diverse opinions about it. Christopher also said the corporation will no longer donate to Buffet's personal foundation. "Berkshire Hathaway will cease all corporate contributions of any kind to any non-profit organization," Christopher explained. "This means there will be no donations from Berkshire Hathaway to the Buffett Foundation." Berkshire Hathway was a longtime boycott target of Life Decisions International, a group that monitors corporate donations to Planned Parenthood. The corporation also owns Dairy Queen, See's Candies and Fruit of the Loom. In all, 92 corporations have ceased funding Planned Parenthood as a result of pro-life boycotts. ACTION: Contact Warren Buffett, CEO; Berkshire Hathaway Inc., 1440 Kiewit Plaza, Omaha, NE 68131.