Empowering Students with Nutrition and Sports
In an effort to ensure more students have access to essential resources for a fulfilling and active school life, Frito-Lay® Variety Packs and CHEETOS® Mac ‘N Cheese have announced a generous donation of over $300,000 to GENYOUth.
This donation will facilitate access to 10 million meals through Grab and Go school breakfast and after-school programs, and it will also provide 120 NFL FLAG-In-School kits, benefiting 66,000 children engaged in youth sports.
As part of this initiative, former professional athletes and husband-and-wife duo J.J. and Kealia Watt have joined hands with Frito-Lay Variety Packs and CHEETOS Mac ‘N Cheese to advocate for increased access to school meals and youth sports programs.
A Shared Commitment to the Community
J.J. Watt, who spent a decade of his professional football career in Houston, has a long-standing commitment to supporting youth sports initiatives within the community. In collaboration with Frito-Lay Variety Packs, CHEETOS Mac ‘N Cheese, and GENYOUth, the Watts recently hosted a community sports event at the Houston Methodist Training Center.
This event not only marked the donation of a Grab and Go school meal cart and NFL FLAG-In-School kits to a deserving school in Houston’s Lamar CISD but also included an after-school snack for 100 students. The Watts even lent their coaching skills to young participants in a flag football game.
Addressing Key Challenges in Schools
Ann Marie Krautheim, CEO of GENYOUth, highlighted the critical role schools play in providing proper nutrition and safe spaces for learning and play for the nation’s 55 million students.
In a scenario where one in eight U.S. children faces food insecurity, and only one in four attains the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity, resources are vital for student well-being.
She expressed gratitude for the support from Frito-Lay Variety Packs and CHEETOS Mac ‘N Cheese, which aims to combat student hunger and promote play through school sports programs.
A Partnership Focused on Empowering Youth
Melissa Miranda, Vice President of Portfolio Marketing for Frito-Lay Variety Packs, emphasized the importance of students having access to school meals as they start the academic year.
This partnership, driven by remarkable organizations like GENYOUth, is dedicated to equipping and empowering youth with the resources needed for well-nourished and high-achieving futures.
A Longstanding Commitment to Tackle Food Insecurity
This collaboration between Frito-Lay and GENYOUth builds upon their longstanding relationship and shared dedication to addressing food insecurity. Since 2009, Frito-Lay, Quaker, and the PepsiCo Foundation have collectively contributed over $6 million to GENYOUth.
As part of its ongoing commitment, Frito-Lay is determined to end food insecurity in the communities where its employees live and work. In 2022 alone, Frito-Lay donated over $7 million worth of products to non-profit partners and communities across the United States, serving over 232 schools.
About Frito-Lay North America
Frito-Lay North America, the $23 billion division of PepsiCo, Inc., boasts a wide range of beloved snacks, including Lay’s, Ruffles, Doritos, Tostitos, Cheetos, Stacy’s, PopCorners, SunChips, and Fritos. The company operates more than 30 manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and Canada, serving over 315,000 retail customers weekly through its direct-store-delivery model.
About PepsiCo
PepsiCo is a global brand enjoyed by consumers in over 200 countries and territories worldwide. In 2022, PepsiCo generated more than $86 billion in net revenue, driven by a portfolio of complementary beverages and convenient foods that include iconic brands such as Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream.
Sources: THX News & Frito-Lay North America.
