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IRVINE, Calif., April 20 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- Participating Taco Bell(R) restaurants across the U.S. will donate 15 percent of their gross sales on April 23, 2009 to the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens (the "Foundation")-the company's non-profit organization dedicated to helping teens graduate from high school and be prepared for college, careers and life. This nationwide campaign aims to double the Foundation's annual giving goal. At the same time, the Foundation is providing consumers a chance to win one of four $25,000* scholarships as an added bonus.
The one-day fundraiser is part of a $5 million annual giving goal that will directly fund teen programs at Boys & Girls Clubs across the country. Taco Bell Foundation for Teens is the largest donor to Boys & Girls Clubs of America, giving over $23 million for teen programming since 1995.
 A visit to Taco Bell offers extraordinary value on April 23rd - it's a way for all of us to respond to the more than one million teens who drop out of high school each year |
"A visit to Taco Bell offers extraordinary value on April 23rd - it's a way for all of us to respond to the more than one million teens who drop out of high school each year," said Greg Creed, chief concept officer and president of Taco Bell Corp. and chairman of Taco Bell Foundation for Teens. "We hope our customers will join us on that day and make their meals count toward ending this unacceptable crisis."
Scholarship Giveaway
The Foundation is underscoring the importance of education with a sweepstakes that will award four lucky customers a $25,000 college scholarship. The sweepstakes, held in conjunction with the fundraiser, invites consumers visiting participating Taco Bell(R) restaurants on April 23 to receive a special code that must be entered on www.tacobellgraduation.com for a chance to win. Four winners will each be awarded a $25,000 scholarship to be used for tuition at an accredited college or vocational school. Winners may elect to transfer the scholarship to a current or potential student should they choose not to use it themselves.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A purchase will not increase your chance of winning. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States (excluding the District of Columbia and Hawaii), ages 13 years and older. Void in DC, HI and where prohibited. Sweepstakes starts 4/23/09 and ends 4/30/09. For Official Rules, alternate method of entry, prize descriptions and odds disclosure, visit http://www.tacobellgraduation.com.
World's Largest High School Yearbook
The Foundation also is helping raise awareness of America's high school dropout crisis and the national fundraiser through PSAs (public service announcements), restaurant merchandising and a multiplatform presence on the web. This includes an interactive Facebook application where people can show support for the cause by uploading their photo onto the World's Largest Yearbook. The Foundation's goal is to build a Facebook Yearbook with one million "friends," representing the current number of teens who drop out of high school each year.
America's High School Dropout Crisis
The high school dropout rates are staggering in America, with one student dropping out of high school every 26 seconds. More than 30 percent of teens in the U.S. and up to 50 percent of Latinos and African Americans fail to graduate with their class. Dropouts are more likely than high school graduates to be unemployed, in poor health, living in poverty, in prison, or on public assistance.**
"The dropout crisis is a responsibility we all share and one that seriously threatens the future of our country," said Bob Fulmer, executive director of the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens. "Through the support of Taco Bell employees, franchisees and customers, we are committed to bring money, awareness and volunteers to this cause so more teens have the foundation they need to succeed."
For more information on the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens and its national initiatives or to make an online donation to the campaign, visit www.tacobellgraduation.com.
*The average cost of in-state college tuition is $6,585. Source: College Board report (2008-09 academic years).
** Silent Epidemic Research Study, March 2006
About Taco Bell Corp.
Taco Bell Corp. ("Taco Bell"), a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., (NYSE: YUM), is the nation's leading Mexican-style quick service restaurant chain. Taco Bell serves tacos, burritos, signature quesadillas, Grilled Stuft Burritos, nachos, and other specialty items such as Crunchwrap Supreme(R), in addition to the 79-89-99 WHY PAY MORE(TM)! Value Menu. Taco Bell serves more than 36.8 million consumers each week in nearly 5,600 restaurants in the U.S.
About the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens
The Taco Bell Foundation, Inc., dba Taco Bell Foundation for Teens (TBFT), a non-profit 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation, is committed to addressing the growing number of high school dropouts in the U.S. by providing at-risk youth with mentors and real-world experiences that will motivate them to stay in school and achieve more in life. Since 1995, TBFT has donated more than $23 million to support teen programs at Boys & Girls Clubs of America with the help of on-going customer, franchisee and employee donations. For more information about TBFT, visit www.tacobellfoundationforteens.org
SOURCE Taco Bell Foundation for Teens
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