In the face of these challenging times, we here at Dunkin’ have had our cups filled with optimism thanks to the incredible response we’ve seen from people giving back to their communities.
Keep reading for some stories of how our Dunkin’ community – from our franchisees to the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation – is coming together to keep America running.
Massachusetts Organizations Fight Food Insecurity During Hunger Action Month with Foundation Grants
September was Hunger Action Month and to support communities facing unprecedented needs due to the impact of COVID, the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation announced $1 million in emergency grant funding for hunger relief organizations. We’re shining the spotlight on two of the grantees that are dedicated to keeping their communities fed. Read more here.
Florida Dunkin's Support the onePULSE Foundation
Ever since the 2016 Pulse nightclub tragedy, the Orlando community has focused on remembering those taken and building hope. Dunkin’ and it’s Florida franchisees have stepped up to show support for this local community and spread a message of hope. Read more here.
Meet 3 Dogs for Joy Bringing Smiles to Pediatric Patients
The Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation has granted 15 full-time pediatric service dogs to over a dozen children’s hospitals across the country. These highly specialized dogs help ease anxiety and reduce stress for young patients and their families. In August, three hospitals across the country are receiving their Dogs for Joy service dogs. Read more here.
Foundation Grants $30,000 to LGBTQ Youth Organizations
Here at Dunkin’, we took our Pride Month festivities virtual this year by introducing Pride themed Dunkin’ e-gift cards. For every Pride-themed e-gift card purchased between June 1 and June 30, we donated $1 to the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation, benefitting hunger relief efforts of LBGTQ youth organizations. Read more here.
Tampa Children Finish Cancer Treatment with Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream Cakes
Each year, about 25 children ring the “End of Treatment Bell” at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Pediatric Oncology Center, signifying the end of their chemotherapy treatment. Seven years ago, another tradition came about to help these amazing kids celebrate their last round of chemo and give hope to others still battling cancer. Read more here.
Chicago’s Lakeview Pantry Uses Grant to Meet Increased Demand During COVID-19
Like many hunger relief organizations around the country, Lakeview Pantry is seeing an increased need for food and services.To handle the increased demand, the organization has relied on its staff, volunteers, network of partners, and grants from nonprofits, including the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation, which granted the Lakeview Pantry as part of its $1.25 million in emergency COVID-19 funding. Read more here.
Louisiana Franchisee Donates Gift Cards to Medical Workers
Dunkin’ franchisee, Erick Falting, saw the effects the pandemic was having on his Bossier City, Louisiana community, and knew he had to do something. Falting launched a campaign to purchase gift cards from local struggling restaurants. Anyone in the medical field who visited his Dunkin’ restaurant was welcome to come in and pick up a gift card as a thank you for their service. Read more here.
Foundation Grant Helps the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts Plan Its Coronavirus Response
Food banks across the country are seeing the number of food-insecure individuals in their communities significantly increase as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19). With a growing need for food throughout their region, The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts sprang into action, not only addressing immediate demand, but also planning for the uncertain future of the crisis. Read more here.
Dunkin’ Foundation Supports The Dimock Center
Food insecurity is a huge issue in America, with 1 in 4 Black children worrying about their next meal according to Feeding America®. The Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation began working with The Dimock Center in 2018 to fund the Center’s important work toward creating accessible, quality healthcare and wellness for all. Read more here.
Dunkin’ Franchisees Recognize the Class of 2020
For high school and college graduates, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted one of the most exciting times of their young lives. Here at Dunkin’, our franchisees are tipping their caps to the Class of 2020 and celebrating them in new and unique ways. Read more here.
Dunkin' Grant Helps Denver Stores Make “Hope Boxes”
Through a grant from the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation, the Denver Dream Center is helping to support 1,000 families in the Denver area with regular deliveries of “Hope Boxes” including essentials like food, hygiene and cleaning products, educational supplies, and more, to help families in need during the crisis. Read more here.
DIY Dunkin’ Donut Decorating Kits Bring Joy to Children’s Organizations
To help spread the joy to families and kids who face food insecurity, the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation donated DIY Dunkin’ Donut Decorating Kits to two nonprofits, Oasis - A Haven for Women and Children in New Jersey, and So What Else in Maryland, both of which are dedicated to serving families and children in need. Read more here.
Dunkin' Donates PPE, Coffee & Donuts to First Responders
Dunkin’ and its New York franchisees keep the NYPD, first responders and hospital workers runnin’ through donations of critical supplies, coffee, and donuts with help from Evy Poumpouras. Read more here.
Dunkin' Foundation Grant Helps Florida Farmworkers
Many organizations have had to move to shelf-stable food donations in the face of the pandemic, but with a grant from the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation, Cultivate Abundance has been able to continue to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to farmworkers in Immokalee, Florida who were already facing food insecurity. Read the full story here.
Massachusetts Dunkin' Debut Signs of Encouragement
First responders and healthcare professionals have been working tirelessly on the frontlines of the coronavirus (COVID-19) response for several months. While these heroes continue to fight the pandemic, siblings and Dunkin’ franchisees Bill Daly, Jr., Tom Daly, and Beth Brulport who own and operate 14 restaurants throughout New Bedford, Massachusetts, wanted to show their support for their selfless efforts. Read the full story here.
Florida Franchisees Host Mobile Blood Drives in Dunkin’ Parking Lots
With restaurants closed for dine-in service, Dunkin’ franchisees in Tampa Bay noticed their parking lots had more empty space than usual. Knowing blood donation is a crucially important way to give back, especially in these times, they offered their parking lots to not-for-profit organization OneBlood, who hosted six mobile blood drives in April alone on the Big Red Bus®, its roving blood donation center. Read the full story here.
Connecticut Food Bank Uses Grant to Help Fight Hunger
As a result of COVID-19, food banks across the country are seeing significant increases in the number of food-insecure individuals. When the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation announced $1.25 million in emergency grants in March, Connecticut Food Bank applied immediately. Within 24 hours, the organization received a check, enabling the food bank to increase its weekly distribution by 20%. Read the full story here.
Massachusetts Dunkin’ Restaurant Spreading Messages of Kindness
With positivity in high demand, a Dunkin’ store in Pembroke, Massachusetts began writing uplifting quotes on customers’ coffee cups. Some examples of the fun and inspiring messages included “Just keep swimming,” “After the storm, there is always a rainbow,” and “Remember to smile.” Read the full story here.
Pennsylvania Dunkin’ Makes Facemasks for Local Assisted Living Facility
Dunkin’ franchisees and store employees in Dickson City, Pennsylvania, recognized the need for facemasks in their community and got to work quickly. In just days, the team transformed their Dunkin’ restaurant into a makeshift sewing workshop, sewing and donating more than 60 masks to a local assisted living facility. Read the full story here.
Boston and Indiana Organizations Fight Hunger with Foundation Grants
In March, the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation announced $1.25 million in emergency grant funding for organizations on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic. Two of the grant recipients – La Casa de Amistad in South Bend, Indiana and Building Audacity in Boston – are using the critical funding to keep their communities fed during this unprecedented time of need. Read their stories here.
San Diego Franchisee Offers Free Coffee to First Responders and Health Professionals
Dunkin’ franchisee and Marine Corps veteran, Tali Burton, wanted to do his part to help those on the frontlines of the COVID-19 response in his community. Any medical worker or first responder who visits one of Burton’s eleven Dunkin’ restaurants in southern or central San Diego will be treated to a free small, medium or large hot or iced coffee with valid ID. Read the full story here.
San Francisco Bay Area Franchisee Makes DIY Donut Kits
Parents across America are seeking out creative ways to keep their kids entertained. As a father of three, Dunkin’ franchisee Matt Cobo was inspired by an idea from one of his restaurant employees: DIY Donut Kits. These kits were such a hit that Dunkin' franchisees at select stores across the country have also started to offer them. Read the full story here.
Massachusetts Franchisees Deliver to Elderly Customers in Need
In their 20 years as Dunkin’ franchisees, the Allens have become friendly with many of their regular customers. One of their Dunkin’ restaurants sits across from a residential building for the elderly and disabled. To help provide food access to these at-risk individuals, they created a pop-up station for residents to pick up complimentary orders placed over the phone. Read the full story here.
Virginia Franchisees Feed Children in Need
In Richmond, Virginia, Dunkin’ franchisees Lou and Julie Cabral are helping children in their local community who may not know where their next meal will come from due to school closures. The Cabrals are offering a free drink, breakfast sandwich and donut to school-aged children at their nine Dunkin’ restaurants in the Richmond area. Read the full story here.
Here at Dunkin', we've also launched an online gift card site, DunkinCoffeeBreak.com, so that guests can send a Dunkin’ e-gift card as a small token of appreciation to thank a doctor, nurse, first responder, teacher, grocery clerk, postal worker, neighbor or any hero in their life. For every card purchased at this site, Dunkin’ will donate $1, up to $100,000, to the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation emergency funds, specifically for non-profits helping families affected by COVID-19.
What acts of kindness have you seen in your local community? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!
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