VASCONIA INVESTS $50,000
IN HISPANIC SCHOLARSHIP FUND SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM 

Generous commitment provides scholarships for talented Latino students  

San Francisco, CA June 2008 - The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF), the nation’s preeminent organization supporting Hispanic higher education, announced that it received a $50,000 grant from Vasconia. This funding supports the HSF/Vasconia Scholarship Program, HSF Calendar and a variety of other programs.

This grant bestows important financial aid for Hispanic college students who are working toward attaining a college degree. Together HSF and Vasconia will increase the percentage of Latino students earning a college degree.

A recent study of Hispanic Scholarship Fund scholarship recipients conducted by MPR Associates, Inc., one of the nation's leading education consulting firms, concluded that HSF scholarships play a significant role in helping scholars persist in college. Scholars supported by HSF worked less than most students, enabling them to focus more on their academic tasks. On average, they worked 10 hours less a week when compared with students sampled in other studies. HSF support diminished the fiscal pressures these students face, the MPR study concluded.

“HSF is grateful that Vasconia joins our goal to increase the number of Latino youth earning their higher education degrees,” said Frank D. Alvarez, HSF President & CEO. “We appreciate Vasconia’s awareness and investment in strengthening America and we applaud their commitment to improve the lives of future generations of Hispanic Americans.”

About Vasconia
Vasconia offers a cohesive collection of products for preparing authentic Latin cuisine.  The extensive assortment currently includes cookware, kitchenware, cutlery and cutting boards.  Vasconia has been designing cookware to help consumers and professionals cook with confidence and creativity since 1911.  Vasconia products are designed, manufactured and marketed by Lifetime Brands, Inc.  For more information, please visit www.vasconia.com.  Vasconia has been a supporter of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) since 2007. 

About Lifetime Brands, Inc.
Lifetime Brands is North America’s leading designer, developer and marketer of kitchenware, cutlery and cutting boards, cookware and bakeware, pantryware and spices, tabletop, home décor, picture frames and bath accessories. Lifetime’s products are distributed through nearly every major retailer in the United States.  For more information, please visit www.lifetimebrands.com.