Plano-based PepsiCo Foods North America (PFNA) is celebrating the 30th anniversary of their partnership with Feed the Children.
Throughout the past 30 years, PFNA has given nearly $85 million in monetary and in-kind donations, the organization said in a news release.
The partnership also created Food & Essential Hubs, an initiative helping equip resource rooms in Title I schools with food, hygiene and educational items.
“This first-of-its-kind initiative aims to alleviate economic and food insecurity challenges throughout the school year for at-risk students and families, while minimizing the stress and stigma associated with not having enough essential supplies – ultimately eliminating barriers of food insecurity and lack of resources for the next generation,” the release said. “Participating districts have seen noticeable changes in student engagement: 87.5% reporting an increase in student attendance and 75% reporting an improvement of classroom behavior.”
The program has also found that 87.5% of participating districts have experienced improved classroom attendance and student self-confidence.
“Hunger and food insecurity are often invisible,” said Travis Arnold, president and CEO of Feed the Children. “We rarely know what someone else is going through. Through our 30-year partnership with PFNA, we’ve been able to impact the lives of thousands of children and families. Feed the Children is thankful for this partnership and eager to see what the future holds as we work together to tackle the important issue of childhood hunger in communities across the country.”
The program now includes 370 schools across Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Memphis, Oklahoma City, Orlando and Phoenix.
