PHILADELPHIA, June 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 today announced Aramark (NYSE: ARMK), the global provider of award-winning services in food, facilities management and uniforms, headquartered in Philadelphia, as the official retail vendor of event merchandise for the World Meeting of Families Congress and Papal Visit, which will be held September 22-27, 2015. All merchandise produced will be customized to reflect the distinctive experience and events of the Eighth World Meeting of Families, as well as to commemorate this historic event for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the City of Philadelphia.

The vast catalog of more than 200 official World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 products, memorializing this global event, will range from traditional branded merchandise including t-shirts, knit scarves, keychains and coffee mugs, to Pope Francis and faith-based merchandise, including rosaries, holy medals and pectoral crosses. To fit a wide-range of consumers' budgets, Aramark will offer various price points starting at $5.00. Beginning in late June 2015, the extensive portfolio of World Meeting of Families products will be available via shop.worldmeeting2015.org. During the week of the World Meeting of Families Congress and Papal Visit there will also be official retail locations inside the Pennsylvania Convention Center (September 22-25) and on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway (September 26-27).

"The 2015 World Meeting of Families will be one of the most unforgettable events in Philadelphia's modern history, and we are thrilled to have Aramark, a global brand with local roots, serve as our official retail partner," said Donna Crilley Farrell, Executive Director of the World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015.  "Through the beautiful souvenirs and special mementos that Aramark will produce, individuals from across the country and around the world can cherish the wonderful memories made during this event for years to come."

"Aramark is proud to partner with the World Meeting of Families and the Papal Visit, and is excited for our role in this once-in-a-lifetime event here in our hometown," said Eric J. Foss, Aramark Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We look forward to creating a special retail experience that helps the millions of faithful in attendance, and all around the world, commemorate Pope Francis' visit to Philadelphia."

Headquartered in Philadelphia for 54 years, and with decades of hospitality experience, Aramark is uniquely qualified to provide an optimal merchandise selection, enhancing the guest experience with precious keepsakes from their visit to Philadelphia. In addition to serving more than 600 clients across the Philadelphia region, Aramark's retail experiences engage and delight visitors at thousands of locations in a diverse array of venues throughout the United States, including cultural attractions, sporting events, museums and national parks. Above all else, Aramark is committed to delivering experiences that enrich and nourish lives.

Co-sponsored by the Holy See'sPontifical Council for the Family and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the World Meeting of Families is a triennial global event that seeks to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across the globe and highlight its intrinsic value to the good of society.  The 2015 international gathering will be held in the United States for the first time ever and will welcome Pope Francis to the country for the first time in his Papacy.

For more information regarding the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia, visit www.WorldMeeting2015.org.  For more information regarding Aramark and its outstanding lines of professional services around the world, please visit www.aramark.com. For information regarding The Holy See'sPontifical Council for the Family, please visit www.familiam.org/famiglia_eng/00002554_HOME_ENG.html. You can also engage the World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia on Facebook (World Meeting of Families 2015) (Encuentro Mundial de las Familias – Filadelfia 2015), Twitter (@WMF2015) (@WMF2015ES) and Instagram (WMF2015).

About World Meetings of Families
Beginning with 1994, The Year of the Family, the Pontifical Council for the Family has been responsible for organizing the World Meetings of Families in Rome (1994); Rio de Janeiro (1997); Rome (2000); Manila (2003); Valencia (2006); Mexico City (2009); Milan (2012); and now, Philadelphia (2015).  Since its inception by Saint John Paul II, the World Meeting of Families has sought to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across the globe.

About Aramark
Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) is in the customer service business across food, facilities and uniforms, wherever people work, learn, recover, and play.  United by a passion to serve, our approximately 270,000 employees deliver experiences that enrich and nourish the lives of millions of people in 21 countries around the world every day.  Aramark is recognized among the Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE and the World's Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute. Learn more at www.aramark.com or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

CONTACTS:
Ken Gavin
Archdiocese of Philadelphia
kgavin@archphila.org
215.587.3747 (office)

Meg Kane
Brian Communications
mkane@briancom.com 
484.385.2938 (office)

David Freireich
Aramark
Freireich-David@aramark.com
215.238.4078 (office)

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Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131212/PH32713LOGO

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