by Chris Finley, CSR and Internal Brand Experience
Pizza Hut is the largest pizza company in the world, a distinction made possible by the people we serve. So, we’re always searching for ways to give back and unlock potential in our communities in ways both large and small. Over the past 10 years, Pizza Hut has been involved with Mi Escuelita Preschool, a local nonprofit organization located in Dallas, Texas, that provides early childhood education to low-income families with children considered to be “at-risk.”
On September 7―the day before we launched our official expanded commitment to literacy and reading through The Literacy Project―Artie Starrs (Pizza Hut U.S. President) and Pizza Hut were recognized by Mi Escuelita with the Monarch Award for continued support through charitable giving, employee volunteerism, and program assistance. Artie graciously accepted the award at the 2016 Cena de la Mariposa, Mi Escuelita’s annual fundraiser event. Yum! Brands CEO Greg Creed and his wife, Carolyn, were the Honorary Chairs.
Watch the video below for a quick snapshot of how Pizza Hut and Mi Escuelita team together to unlock the potential of our communities and live Life Unboxed.
For me personally, being involved with Mi Escuelita provides the opportunity to bridge the gap between day-to-day community impact work in office and experiencing it first hand. In the past year, I’ve attended or led volunteer events to read to students, educate them on Earth Day and provide pizza, among other activities. However, one experience stands out. I began to understand just how smart and creative the Mi Escuelita students were while they diligently worked on an arts project. Around a table of six students, every child was doing something different, yet the end result was similar. I was reminded of just how important the creative process is, to a four-year-old child gluing an eyeball on a fish and to an adult working through a complex business issue.