Frito-Lay invests $150,000 to support 360 participants, building on
2022 program success
PLANO,
Texas, Oct. 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor
of Hispanic Heritage Month, Frito-Lay today announced its continued
partnership with LULAC National Educational Service Centers,
Inc. (LNESC) for a second year. Partnering with LNESC and its
Pathways to Uplift and Empower through Novel Technology and
Education Services (P.U.E.N.T.E.S.) program, the initiative bridges
the language translation and technology digital divide to empower
Hispanic families to develop digital literacy skills. In 2023,
Frito-Lay will support the digital literacy program in six U.S.
markets and will create learning environments for parents and
children in need.
![](https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2239448/LNESC.jpg)
"Frito-Lay remains committed to supporting our Hispanic
communities by providing the resources necessary to thrive in an
increasingly digital world," said Wilson
Alarcon, Frito-Lay senior manager and President of Adelante
Employee Resource Group for Frito-Lay. "Our commitment to ensuring
equal opportunities for all is unwavering, and we're proud to
continue this program in the communities we call home."
Building on 2022 Success
In the partnership's
inaugural year, Frito-Lay's investment provided more than 250
families across the U.S. with a pathway to develop digital
literacy. Before starting the program, 51.5% of participants were
not fully confident with technology. After completing the
P.U.E.N.T.E.S. program, 100% of participants had become more
confident with technology.
"What began as a call to action to create access to online
resources for struggling families during the wake of the pandemic
has proven digital literacy to be essential not only in times of
crisis, but as a necessity in everyday life," said LNESC Executive
Director Richard Roybal. "We are
excited to find creative and innovative methods to bring digital
education and understanding of technology to families in the
communities we serve."
In 2023, the program will be available for at-risk students and
families in Dallas, Topeka, Houston, Los
Angeles, San Antonio and
Vancouver (WA).
Making a Long-Term Impact
The bilingual digital
education program provides a tangible, long-term impact, allowing
participants access to information and resources to do schoolwork,
financial aid searches, job training, job searches, ESL courses,
online citizenship, résumés, college applications and GED
preparation along with other on-line tools to improve their
employment status and open future opportunities.
"I would recommend this to everyone," said Cecil Dozier, LNESC digital literacy beneficiary
in Topeka, Kansas. "The teachers
were very patient with me, as I am a slow learner. I am trying to
get my daughter to come and bring her children to learn more of
this. This is what we need to function in this world today."
This program honors Hispanic Heritage Month and complements
PepsiCo's Racial Equality Journey (REJ) Hispanic Initiative, a
$172 million set of commitments to
increase representation within its workforce, support
Hispanic-owned businesses and help create economic opportunities in
Hispanic American communities. This REJ initiative reinforces
Frito-Lay's long-standing commitment and history of helping local
communities across America for more than 90 years.
About Frito-Lay North
America
Frito-Lay North America is the $23
billion convenient foods division of PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ: PEP),
which is headquartered in Purchase, NY. Frito-Lay snacks include
Lay's® and Ruffles® potato chips,
Doritos® and Tostitos® tortilla
chips and branded dips, Cheetos® snacks,
Stacy's® pita chips,
PopCorners® popped-corn snack,
SunChips® multigrain snacks and
Fritos® corn chips. The company operates 30+
manufacturing facilities across the U.S. and Canada, more than 200
distribution centers and services 315,000 retail customers per week
through its direct-store-delivery model. Learn more about Frito-Lay
at the corporate website, www.fritolay.com, on Twitter (@fritolay),
on Instagram (@fritolay) and on Facebook (Frito-Lay).
About LULAC National Educational Service Centers, Inc.
(LNESC)
LULAC National Educational Service Centers, Inc.
(LNESC) was established in 1973 by the League of United Latin
American Citizens (LULAC) to provide educational programming to
high-need students throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Throughout 16 education and
technology centers, LNESC has served over 607,000 students, sent
159,000 students on to college, and awarded nearly $30 million in scholarships. LNESC's results are
made possible by a network of dedicated field staff, top-notch
teachers, over 90 school partners, and the support of LULAC - the
nation's largest membership-based Latino organization. LNESC works
to change lives and build Latino communities, one student at a
time. www.LNESC.org
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SOURCE Frito-Lay