July 30, 2010
Biggest Game ChangersSonic kick-started a new program this year in conjunction with nonprofit Web site DonorsChoose.org, raising money for educational projects across the country. “Limeades for Learning” allowed any customer between August 31 and October 1 who purchased a fountain or frozen drink to vote online for his favorite participating project, using a special code printed on the drink. At the end of each week, Sonic dispensed up to $100,000 amongst the top vote getters.
At press, Limeades for Learning had donated $637,944 to 1,420 projects.
KFC closed a number of its stores for one day in October, converting them to “World Hunger Relief Kitchens.” Employees served free meals to residents of homeless shelters, and KFC restaurants across the nation also hosted food drives and car washes as part of Yum! Brands’ World Hunger Relief campaign, which raised $36 million between 2007 and 2008.
The third-annual “Support from Home” campaign, conducted by Los Angeles–based The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf between July 1 and September 8, served as a boost to both active troops and war veterans.
The chain sent a bag of coffee blend to overseas troops every time a customer purchased its Support from Home Blend, a one-pound bag of medium roast coffee. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf also donated $1 per purchase of the blend to the Fisher House Foundation, a nonprofit organization supporting veterans and their families. Finally, a keychain given to customers who purchased the special blend could be used on future purchases to donate 10 percent to the Fisher House Foundation.
This year’s “Support from Home” campaign donated 35,264 bags of coffee to troops and sent $60,540 to the Fisher House Foundation.
Starbucks teamed with (RED), a global campaign co-founded by Bono of U2 that combats AIDS in Africa late in 2008. The resulting (STARBUCKS)RED program had the coffee giant pledging $1 to the (RED) campaign’s Global Fund for every one-pound bag of whole bean coffee, tumbler, or water bottle purchased as well as five cents per customer’s use of a STARBUCKS)RED Card.
In July the company announced that it raised enough money to pay for five million daily doses of antiretroviral medicine for the battle against AIDS in Africa.
McAlister’s Deli hoped to raise $100,000 by participating in Share Our Strength’s Great American Dine Out, a national charitable week when restaurants commit portions of sales to fight childhood hunger in America. The chain went on to exceed its goal and raise $125,000 by selling coupon cards that sent $5 to Share Our Strength and gave customers $5 off their next order.
