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BGCCP awarded $31,500 by Taco Bell Foundation

Posted on: June 5th, 2024 by Dre Nix No Comments

Winterville, NC June 5, 2024

Today, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain received a $31,500 grant from the Taco Bell Foundation to support more than 2,700 youth in eastern North Carolina. The funds will go toward academic success programming and other efforts to educate and inspire the next generation of leaders!

“We are so appreciative of our partnership with the Taco Bell Foundation. These funds will enable us to continue serving and educating young people across eastern North Carolina,” said Mark Holtzman, President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain. “Together, we are working to break down barriers to education for future leaders.” 

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain is one of more than 450+ youth-serving organizations that will receive a portion of the nearly $23 million in Community Grants presented by the Taco Bell Foundation this year. The grants are an example of the Taco Bell Foundation’s mission to break down barriers to education and fuel young people’s boldest ambitions.

“Our Community Grants program is unique, because the funds are dispersed back to organizations in the local community
they are raised in,” said Neil Borkan, Chairman of the Taco Bell Foundation. “We are so thankful for the generosity of our partners, customers and Taco Bell team members that make it possible for us to continue serving youth across the
country.”

 

 

About the Taco Bell Foundation 

Taco Bell Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity that educates and inspires the next generation of leaders through programming like the Live Más Scholarship and the Local Grants Program. Since 1992, the Taco Bell Foundation has reached more than 5 million young people across the country and has awarded more than $150 million in grants and scholarships, focused on education and career readiness. In 2015, Taco Bell and the Taco Bell Foundation launched the Live Más Scholarship, a program aimed at fueling the bold ambitions of America’s future leaders. In May 2023, the Taco Bell Foundation awarded $10 million in Live Más Scholarships to over 900 students. For more information, visit TacoBellFoundation.org.


About Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain

The organization began in 1969 as a Boys Club with a very modest operation at the Pitt County Fairgrounds. Since that time, the organization has experienced significant growth in membership, programs, and facilities. In 1992 the Jack Minges Unit was built to accommodate the growing need and to include girls in membership. Additional units have been established in Ayden, Farmville, West Greenville, and north of the Tar River. BGCCP assumed responsibility for the Club in Lenoir County in 2010, two Clubs in Beaufort County in 2013, opened a new Club in November 2013 in Greene County, and now has opened two Clubs in Martin County. In 2017, BGCCP merged with the Boys and Girls Club of Coastal Carolina to add 6 Clubs in Craven and Carteret Counties. Today, more than 3,000 young people are taking advantage of the programs, activities and services provided by our 17 Clubs in 7 contingent counties: Pitt, Lenoir, Beaufort, Greene, Martin, Carteret, and Craven Counties. 

BGCCP AWARDED $25,000 TO FUEL Eastern North Carolina’s YOUNG PEOPLE’S BOLD AMBITIONS

Posted on: June 2nd, 2023 by Dre Nix 1 Comment

Winterville, NC June 2, 2023

Today, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain received a $25,000 grant from the Taco Bell Foundation to support more than 2,700 youth in eastern North Carolina. The funds will go toward academic success programming and other efforts to educate and inspire the next generation of leaders. 

“It’s a privilege to partner with the Taco Bell Foundation in educating and inspiring young people nationwide,” said Mark Holtzman, President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain. “Together, we are working to break down barriers to education for future leaders.” 

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain is one of more than 450+ youth-serving organizations that will receive a portion of the $15 million in Community Grants presented by the Taco Bell Foundation this year. The grants are an example of the Taco Bell Foundation’s mission to break down barriers to education and fuel young people’s boldest ambitions.

“We are proud that the work we do through our Community Grants program connects young people with the resources and opportunities they need to learn and drive change,” said Jennifer Bradbury, Executive Director of the Taco Bell Foundation. 

 

About the Taco Bell Foundation 

Taco Bell Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity that educates and inspires the next generation of leaders through programming like the Live Más Scholarship and the Local Grants Program. Since 1992, the Taco Bell Foundation has reached more than 5 million young people across the country and has awarded more than $150 million in grants and scholarships, focused on education and career readiness. In 2015, Taco Bell and the Taco Bell Foundation launched the Live Más Scholarship, a program aimed at fueling the bold ambitions of America’s future leaders. In May 2023, the Taco Bell Foundation awarded $10 million in Live Más Scholarships to over 900 students. For more information, visit TacoBellFoundation.org.


About Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain

The organization began in 1969 as a Boys Club with a very modest operation at the Pitt County Fairgrounds. Since that time, the organization has experienced significant growth in membership, programs, and facilities. In 1992 the Jack Minges Unit was built to accommodate the growing need and to include girls in membership. Additional units have been established in Ayden, Farmville, West Greenville, and north of the Tar River. BGCCP assumed responsibility for the Club in Lenoir County in 2010, two Clubs in Beaufort County in 2013, opened a new Club in November 2013 in Greene County, and now has opened two Clubs in Martin County. In 2017, BGCCP merged with the Boys and Girls Club of Coastal Carolina to add 6 Clubs in Craven and Carteret Counties. Today, more than 3,000 young people are taking advantage of the programs, activities and services provided by our 17 Clubs in 7 contingent counties: Pitt, Lenoir, Beaufort, Greene, Martin, Carteret, and Craven Counties. 

The Panera Bread Foundation Announces 2023 Grant Awards

Posted on: April 11th, 2023 by Dre Nix No Comments

30 Non-Profits Receive Grants to Continue and Expand Programming to Invest in Underserved Youth 

 

ST. LOUIS, April 4, 2023 – Today, the Panera Bread Foundation* announces 30 non-profit organizations will receive a collective $2 million from the Panera Bread Foundation Grant Program. The Panera Bread Foundation launched the grant program in 2021 to support non-profit organizations that provide access to education, opportunity, and mentorship to at-risk, underserved, or historically underrepresented children and youth.

“The 2023 grant award recipients are doing incredible work to help create a world in which young people can unlock their full potential, and we are proud to be a small part in helping them achieve their missions,” said Debbie Roberts, Panera Bread Chief Operating Officer, and President of the Panera Bread Foundation Board of Directors. “We’re also grateful for the generosity of our guests who rounded up their checks through our Give Change for Children program—because of them, we were able to more than triple the total grant amount this year.”

The Panera Bread Foundation envisions a world in which young people can unlock their full potential and dare to dream — a world in which opportunity and economic mobility are accessible and equitable for all. The Give Change for Children round-up program began last March and raised more than $1 million in 2022 to support the Panera Bread Foundation’s mission. At participating bakery-cafes, Panera Bread guests have the option to round-up their order total to the nearest dollar to help invest in underserved and at-risk children and youth. Give Change for Children is available in-cafe at the register, at the drive-thru and kiosk, and through web and mobile app ordering**.

Programs funded by the 2023 grant awards include: college readiness training including campus visits, application assistance and financial aid planning; STEAM programs to inspire youth to become leaders in science, technology, engineering, art and math; career readiness including internship programs and community job placement; afterschool and summer programs focused on robotics and computer programming; one-to-one mentoring for students and their families on a post-high school plan, and more.  The full list of the Panera Bread Foundation’s 2023 Grant Award recipients includes:

• Achieve Miami Inc.
• An Achievable Dream
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties, Inc.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Louisiana
• Bottom Line
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and Desoto Counties Inc
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Coastal Plain
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Chattanooga
• Boys Hope Girls Hope of St. Louis
• Breakthrough Cincinnati Inc.
• College AIM, Inc.

• College Visions
• Foundation for a College Education
• Geeking Out Kids of Color
• GirlForward
• Girls Inc. of Alameda County
• Girls Inc. of the Pacific Northwest
• Institute for Community Leadership
• Life Pieces to Masterpieces
• Minds Matter Colorado
• Oasis – A Haven for Women and Children
• Quad County Urban League, Inc.
• Road to Hire
• STEER for Student Athletes
• Take Stock in Children Palm Beach County
• Tulsa Girls Art School

Serving its communities has always been an important part of the Panera Bread culture. As the Panera Bread Foundation focuses on helping children and youth unlock their leadership potential, the brand is also working internally to enable and empower BIPOC Panera associates and associates experiencing financial hardship to unlock their talents and potential through the Panera Dream Project®. Through greater access to education, enhanced training experiences and new paths to leadership and ownership, Panera Bread aims to accelerate associate growth and reduce barriers to success. The Panera Dream Project functions separately from the Panera Bread Foundation but is part of Panera Bread’s larger mission of serving its associates and greater communities.

To learn more about the Panera Bread Foundation, 2023 grant award recipients or Give Change for Children, visit www.PaneraBread.com/Foundation.

                                                                                               ###

*The Panera Bread Foundation, Inc. is a public charity and exempt from federal income tax under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code as an organization described in section 501(c)(3). Our Employer Identification Number is 43-1950869.

**The Give Change for Children program is available at participating U.S. Panera Bread® bakery-cafes to offer guests the option to round up their order total (including any applicable taxes, fees and charges) to the nearest dollar to donate the difference to the Panera Bread Foundation to support its mission of investing in underserved and at-risk children. The Give Change for Children program may be available in-cafe at the register, at the drive-thru and kiosk, and through web and mobile app ordering. The program is not available on catering orders or orders placed on third party delivery sites. All donations collected from the Give Change for Children program are donated to the Panera Bread Foundation, Inc. The Panera Bread Foundation, Inc. (EIN: 43-1950869) is an IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. For more information visit: PaneraBread.com/Foundation.

About Panera Bread

Panera Bread opened in 1987 as a community bakery, founded with a secret sourdough starter and a belief that sharing great bread is an expression of warmth and generosity. That vision holds true today with a robust menu of delicious, chef-curated recipes created with a simple principle: The Familiar, Made Fantastic™. At Panera, we serve food that we are proud to serve our own families, made with responsibly raised proteins and freshly prepared with Clean ingredients–food that does not contain the artificial preservatives, sweeteners, flavors, and colors from artificial sources set forth on our No-No list served in U.S.  bakery-cafes. From crave-worthy soups, salads and sandwiches to flatbread pizza and sweets, we offer our guests more than great food. Our ethos of generosity drives us to meet our guests where they are through technology and through our shared values. We are stewards of our communities and the planet — with programs like Day-End Dough-Nation® that donates unsold baked goods in the evening to local non-profits, or labeling climate-friendly low carbon Cool Food Meals.

As of January 24, 2023 there were 2,112 bakery-cafes, company and franchise, in 48 states and in Ontario, Canada, operating under the Panera Bread® or Saint Louis Bread Co.® names. Panera Bread is part of Panera Brands, one of the largest fast casual restaurant companies in the U.S., comprised of Panera Bread®, Caribou Coffee® and Einstein Bros.® Bagels. For more information, visit panerabread.com or find us on Twitter (@panerabread), Facebook (facebook.com/panerabread) Instagram (@panerabread) or TikTok (@panerabread).

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain Announces A’Niyah Grant as the 2023 Youth of the Year Winner

Posted on: February 13th, 2023 by Dre Nix 1 Comment

On Thursday, February 9th, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain hosted its Annual Youth of the Year Celebration Dinner. Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can receive. As Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s premier youth recognition program, the Youth of the Year title recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as personal challenges and obstacles overcome. 

A’Niyah Grant was named Youth of the Year and received a $3,000 college scholarship. A’Niyah is a senior at South Central High School and has been a member at Jack Minges Boys & Girls Club for the past five years. In her time here she has achieved so much! She is the President of the Keystone Club and a true leader among her peers. She also took advantage of the Boys & Girls Clubs workforce initiative and worked as a paid staff this past summer, where she earned MVP as well as Leader of the Month. A’Niyah will go on to represent Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain at the North Carolina State Youth of the Year competition later this spring. We are so proud of her hard work and dedication to her Club and her community.

The dinner was hosted at the Hilton Greenville and sponsored by the generous support of PNC Bank. Finalists and their families along with staff, donors and friends of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain gathered to recognize and celebrate these youth that have exemplified the Boys & Girls Club mission and are proof to the impact Clubs make in transforming and saving kids’ lives. In addition to hearing from our youth, guests heard an inspirational message from Dereck Whittenburg, a motivational public figure who was a standout member of NC State’s 1983 National Championship basketball team under Coach Jim Valvano. In addition to his work with NC State, The V Foundation and his own Foundation, Dereck was a first-generation college graduate who was raised by hardworking parents that made education a priority for their son.

Fourteen finalists participated in the celebration dinner and all were awarded medals to honor their hard work throughout the rigorous Youth of the Year selection process. In addition to the organizational winner receiving a $3,000 scholarship, we also awarded the runner-up with a $1,000 scholarship. This year’s runner-up was Imani Hall, from the Jack Minges Teen Center in Winterville, NC. Also honored were the Junior Youth of the Year winner, Saraah Clark from the Jack Minges Club, as well as the Duane Reynolds Leadership Award winner, Leander Moore from the Havelock Club.

Congratulations to A’Niyah and all of the candidates for all of their hard work this year!

See more images from our celebration at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAs23y.

Panda Cares, the philanthropic arm of Panda Express, and Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain partner to open Panda Cares Center of Hope in Winterville, NC

Posted on: December 6th, 2022 by Dre Nix 1 Comment

WINTERVILLE, NC – In partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Panda Express held a grand opening event for the newest Panda Cares Center of Hope, which took place at the Jack Minges Club (621 W. Fire Tower Rd., Winterville, NC) on December 1, 2022. The event featured Panda Express food for the youth, a ribbon cutting, book giveaway and many exciting activities for Club members & attendees! Panda Cares also surprised attendees with an additional $10,000 donation, bringing their total contribution to the Jack Minges Club to $75,000!

Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Panda Express are proud to bring a Panda Cares Center of Hope to the Jack Minges Club. The opening of this Center of Hope aligns directly with Panda Express’ commitment to foster academic success among Boys & Girls Clubs members across the country.

Panda Cares Center of Hope is a newly renovated space within our Club designed to deliver more joy, education, and critical social-emotional development to local communities. Project Learn, the platform that unites each Center of Hope, is a holistic strategy intended to reinforce and enhance what youth learn during the school day, while creating experiences that invite them to fall in love with learning,” said Mark Holtzman, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain President & CEO. “Rooted in social-emotional development, this program is based on research showing that students do better in school when they spend their non-school hours engaged in fun and academically beneficial activities. Our Panda Cares Center of Hope was designed to meet the needs of our Club members and includes a new library of books, soft spaces, flexible seating to support various learning styles and many spaces for them to learn, engage, and grow.”

A full gallery of pictures from the event can be viewed at: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAhFUd

To learn more about the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain’s programs, please visit www.bgccp.com or call 252-355-2345.

 

About Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain

The organization began in 1969 as a Boys Club with a very modest operation at the Pitt County Fairgrounds. Since that time, the organization has experienced significant growth in membership, programs, and facilities. In 1992 the Jack Minges Unit was built to accommodate the growing need and to include girls in membership. Additional units have been established in Ayden, Farmville, West Greenville, and north of the Tar River. BGCCP assumed responsibility for the Club in Lenoir County in 2010, two Clubs in Beaufort County in 2013, opened a new Club in November 2013 in Greene County, and now has opened two Clubs in Martin County. In 2017, BGCCP merged with the Boys and Girls Club of Coastal Carolina to add 6 Clubs in Craven and Carteret Counties. Today, more than 3,000 young people are taking advantage of the programs, activities and services provided by our 17 Clubs in 7 contingent counties: Pitt, Lenoir, Beaufort, Greene, Martin, Carteret, and Craven Counties. 


About Panda Express

On a mission to inspire better lives, Panda Express® is the largest Asian dining concept in the U.S. Family-owned and operated since 1983 by co-founders and co-CEOs Andrew and Peggy Cherng, Panda Express is best known as a trailblazer for creating a wide variety of industry-first recipes, including its best seller the Original Orange Chicken® and award-winning Honey Walnut Shrimp™, which have defined the category of authentic American Chinese cuisine. Each dish at Panda Express, including the Wok Smart® selections, is thoughtfully crafted with quality ingredients and inspired by bold Chinese flavors and culinary principles. The restaurant brand has more than 2,400 locations and has introduced American Chinese cuisine to twelve international countries.

Powered by this global family of associates, Panda Cares® the philanthropic arm of Panda Express, has raised more than $282 million and dedicated countless volunteer hours in bettering the health and education for over 13 million youths, as well as supporting communities in need since 1999. In 2020, the organization established the Panda Cares Scholars Program to provide the necessary funding,- academic support and leadership development to help high school and college students learn, lead and thrive towards a bright future. For more information, visit pandaexpress.com or pandacares.org.