LOUISVILLE, Ky., June 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- KFC is
teaming up with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA), the
nation's largest donor- and volunteer-supported mentoring network,
to help newly matched "Bigs" (mentors) and "Littles" (youth) bond
over a bucket this summer.
The heart of BBBSA's programming is Community-Based Mentoring,
which allows Bigs and Littles to spend one-on-one time together
enjoying free/low-cost activities in the community. Sharing a meal
is a favorite way for Bigs and Littles to connect, so on the heels
of BBBSA's successful "Big Draft" volunteer recruitment campaign
earlier this year, KFC is providing gift cards for 5,000 newly
matched Bigs and Littles to meet and share a bucket of KFC's
world-famous fried chicken while kicking off their new mentoring
relationship.
In addition, KFC is also donating meals (via $20 gift cards) to the families of new Littles so
they can share a bucket of fried chicken this summer. According to
BBBSA, 74 percent of Littles receive free or reduced lunch
from school and 22 percent of families receive some type of income
assistance.
Along with their bucket meal, Littles and their families will
get access to a digital, family-friendly cookbook with reheating
instructions and recipes that demonstrate ways to stretch a KFC
meal.
"When we found out the number one activity for Bigs and Littles
was sharing a meal, we knew we had to help," said Staci Rawls, Chief Communications Officer, KFC
U.S. "Since 1952, KFC has been bringing people together over a
bucket of our world-famous fried chicken. We know helping these new
Bigs and Littles strengthen their relationships will go far beyond
this one meal on one day. We are inspired by the work Big Brothers
Big Sisters of America does to feed the potential of youth across
the country."
Along with the donation of meals totaling $175,000, KFC U.S. is committing $100,000 to BBBSA to support workforce mentoring
programs that prepare teens for post-high school success. Through
this partnership, Littles will have an opportunity to learn about
the various career paths, including opportunities in the restaurant
industry, while developing meaningful relationships with their new
Big.
The mentoring mission of BBBSA is one that is well understood by
KFC. For longtime KFC franchise owner Mike
Baker, while growing up on a ranch and trying to figure out
his future, finding a strong mentor changed his life. Mike found
his way to working in a KFC kitchen as a cook for Pete Harman, KFC's first franchisee. Working
under the guiding hand of Pete and other leaders in the Harman
group, Mike learned the passion and pride that comes with hard work
and the opportunities that could come from working in a restaurant.
Pete taught Mike to value the KFC business and culture. Mike
continued to work his way up to restaurant manager, area coach and
ultimately became a KFC franchise owner with 36 restaurants.
"As a KFC franchisee, it's important to me that we continue to
pass on the lessons I learned from Pete and create opportunities
for our team members today," said Mike
Baker. "Partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters helps us
support mentorship in our communities as well."
"Our goal is to empower young people on a path to graduate
with a plan for their future and a mentor whose impact can last for
a lifetime," said Artis Stevens,
President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
"We appreciate the opportunity to partner with KFC to provide
workforce development opportunities for our Littles."
BBBSA is always looking to expand its reach and provide even
more children with access to quality mentorship programs; right
now, there are more than 30,000 young people waiting to be matched
with a Big. In the last decade alone, BBBSA has supported more than
2 million Littles and has over 270,000 current Big/Little mentoring
relationships.
In addition to its support of BBBSA, KFC has been feeding and
supporting local communities through donations of one million
pieces of chicken. In the past 18 months, KFC has donated over
three million pieces of chicken to feed frontline healthcare
workers, teachers and homebound seniors in need.
During the Program Period, KFC will donate $275,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
through cash and in-kind support. No purchase
necessary.
About KFC
KFC Corporation, based in Louisville, Ky., is the world's most
popular chicken restaurant chain. KFC specializes in Original
Recipe®, Extra Crispy™, Kentucky Grilled Chicken® and Extra Crispy™
Tenders, Hot Wings®, KFC Famous Bowls®, Pot Pies, freshly hand
prepared chicken sandwiches, biscuits and homestyle side
items. There are more than 24,000 KFC restaurants in over 145
countries and territories around the world. KFC Corporation is a
subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., Louisville, Ky. (NYSE: YUM). For
more information, visit www.kfc.com. Follow KFC on Facebook
(www.facebook.com/kfc), Twitter (www.twitter.com/kfc) and Instagram
(www.instagram.com/KFC).
About Big Brothers Big Sisters
Founded in 1904, Big
Brothers Big Sisters of America is the largest and most experienced
youth mentoring organization in the
United States. The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of
America is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships
that ignite the power and promise of youth. Big Brothers Big
Sisters' evidence-based approach is designed to create positive
youth outcomes, including educational success, avoidance of risky
behaviors, higher aspirations, greater confidence, and improved
relationships. Big Brothers Big Sisters has 230+ local agencies
serving more than 5,000 communities across all 50 states. For more
information, visit: www.bigbrothersbigsisters.org.
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SOURCE KFC