NEWS
Taco Bell Foundation donates over $400K to 9 New Mexico nonprofits
Donation part of over $30 million nationwide grant allocations
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The Taco Bell Foundation announced on Monday it was allocating $32 million to 700 nonprofit organizations across the country.
Of that, $442,000 will go to nine New Mexico organizations, including $100,000 for the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Juan County (BGCSJC).
Fueled by fans who round up their Taco Bell order totals, the investment creates more opportunities for young people through education, career readiness, mentorship, and youth empowerment, a Taco Bell Foundation news release states.
鈥淲hen you think about how this started, with fans giving a little extra at checkout, it鈥檚 incredible to see that generosity grow into $32 million for organizations serving young people across the country,鈥� Taco Bell Foundation Executive Director Morgan Tabor said in a statement. 鈥淲hat I love most about Community Grants is how local they are. Taco Bell franchisees know these organizations, they believe in their work, and together we鈥檙e helping more young people see just how much is possible for their futures.鈥�
Boys & Girls Clubs of San Juan County CEO Michelle Meyering said two of Farmington鈥檚 Taco Bells have been among the nation鈥檚 top locations for raising money through the .
鈥淲e are really fortunate that in this community the customers know where the money goes,鈥� she said.
Meyering said the money will go toward the nonprofit鈥檚 teen programs.
The eight other New Mexico grant recipients include: ACE Scholarships ($120,000), Junior Achievement of New Mexico ($53,460), College Advising Corps ($40,700), Boys & Girls Club of Gallup ($38,000), MANA de Albuquerque ($30,000), Future Focused Education ($30,000), Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Mexico ($15,000), and the Boys & Girls Club of Las Cruces, which also received $15,000.
鈥淭he organizations selected align with the Foundation鈥檚 focus on helping young people prepare for college, careers and what comes next, through areas including college and career readiness, mentorship and youth empowerment,鈥� a Taco Bell Foundation spokesperson said in an email.
Since 1992, the foundation has awarded more than $278 million in grants and scholarships nationwide, according to the news release.
Gregory R.C. Hasman is a general assignment reporter and the Road Warrior. He can be reached at ghasman@abqjournal.com or 505-823-3820.
