September 8, 2016, marked a historical day in the history of the largest pizza company in the world, Pizza Hut. On that day, Pizza Hut announced a commitment to expand on its 30+ year commitment to BOOK IT! and unlock the potential of 100 million people around the world over the next 10 years through literacy and reading.

While the formality of the Literacy Project may be new, work around the cause has been a part of the Pizza Hut brand for a long time. Way down south among luaus and leis, the Hawaii Pizza Hut team has been dedicated to solving the literacy issue- one that is all too present in their local community. Helping to make a difference since 1992, Hawaii Pizza Hut’s program “Carryout for Literacy” has raised over 3.5 million dollars and is still going strong.

To raise money for Carryout for Literacy, Pizza Hut Hawaii restaurants sell Literacy cards to their customers for $10 each. The card entitles the customer to a “buy one, get one FREE” pizza discount on carryout, delivery and dine-in orders for one year*.

The team donates funds raised to the Hawaii Community Foundation who in turn supports literacy-oriented programs throughout the State of Hawaii like Parents and Children Together’ s Read to Me Club, Helping Hands Hawaii and Friends of the Future. The Literacy Fundraising Card is also has programs to support not-for-profit groups interested in fundraising and supporting Literacy Programs in Hawaii.

On top of the great work happening as a result of the literacy cards, Hawaii Pizza Hut has also been the corporate sponsor of the Hawaii State Public Library System’s Summer Reading Program for the last 24 years. The goal of the program is to encourage teens to read 20 minutes a day. This year, participants were entered into a drawing where 24 lucky winners were selected to win tech gadget prizes packaged in pizza boxes. Cause let’s face it, the only thing more exciting than a brand new computer, might be your favorite pizza.

Keep up the great work Hawaii Pizza Hut. You’re a supreme when it comes to our work for The Literacy Project.