Aside from providing delicious meals to their loyal diners, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell continue their support in fighting hunger together with the UN World Food Programme (WFP) here in the Philippines as they support school feeding programme in Central Mindanao. Together with People’s Champ and Saranggani Representative Manny Pacquiao, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell donated Php 5.3 million (US$120,000) to WFP as contribution to the World Hunger Relief campaign that they do every year in support of the school feeding in target areas in Central Mindanao.
The ceremonial handover of the donation was made recently at the Owner’s Circle of the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Vice-President for Pizza Hut Operations Rommel Blanco, world boxing champ and Pizza Hut brand ambassador Manny Pacquiao, Philippine Pizza, Inc. Chief Operating Officer T.H. Lim, Vice-President for Taco Bell Operations Erryl John Ramos, and District Manager Pizza Hut Home Service Division Reynaldo Dela Cruz were there to give the check amounting to Php 5.3M to WFP that will surely benefit the more than 100,000 school children from conflict- affected communities in Mindanao.
According to Teck Huak Lim, Chief Operating Officer of Pizza Hut and Taco Bell Philippines, that they are committed to strengthen their support in helping WFP provide more nutritious food to the school children of Mindanao. “Our brands, together with our employees, will continue to raise awareness, volunteerism and funds to fight hunger.” Lim said.
WFP Philippines Representative and Country Director Praveen Agrawal shared that since the school feeding was done, there are increase in the retention rate of students in WFP-assisted schools by over 90 percent. According to him that it is a testament to school feeding helps these children stay in school and he is very thankful to Pizza Hut and Taco Bell for the continued partnership in making sure that hot meals are provided to the children that need it the most.
Yum! Brands’ Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, began their World Hunger Relief campaign in 2007 and have since raised Php 26.9 million (US$600,000) to help feed school children in the Philippines. Globally, the campaign has raised Php 8.1 billion (US$185 million), which has supported the work of WFP and other hunger relief organizations.
