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<p dir="ltr">In South Africa, where youth unemployment among women is staggering, Pizza Hut is doing more than serving up slices. It's opening doors. Created in partnership with YES4Youth, the LeadHERship program helps young women gain real work experience, mentorships and the confidence to chase what’s next.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Watch this inspiring story from our #ServingUpGood series and see how Pizza Hut South Africa is helping build brighter futures for young women.<br /></p>
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<i>Since its founding in 1997, Yum! and its brands have
Served Up Good by investing in initiatives that enable team members, employees
and communities to thrive. Yum! remains committed to using its capital –
financial and human – to reduce food insecurity and to help individuals gain
the skills and capabilities they need to build meaningful careers. This series
highlights both the stories of leaders within Yum! who are driving meaningful
change and shaping a better future for all, as well as the beneficiaries of the
many community impact programs Yum! leads around the world. </i> </p>
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<p>KFC Restaurant General Manager Shantel F.’s restaurant in Eugene, Oregon, has raised over $60,000 for the <a href="https://kfcfoundation.org/" >KFC Foundation</a> in the past two years from customers opting to round up their check to the next dollar, making the location the top fundraising KFC in the United States. </p>
<p>The KFC Foundation supports and empowers KFC restaurant employees and communities across the U.S. through education, financial and hardship assistance, and community giving programs—including the Kentucky Fried Wishes program, which grants nonprofits $10,000 to make a project on their wish list come true. </p>
<p>Below is a conversation with Shantel about her team’s passion for the KFC Foundation and giving back to the community through Kentucky Fried Wishes.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b><span style="font-size: 18px;">Why is the </span><span style="font-size: 18px;">KFC</span><span style="font-size: 18px;"> Foundation’s
community giving program, Kentucky Fried Wishes, important to you?</span></b></p>
<p>Last year was the second time my team was given the opportunity to select a nonprofit to receive a Kentucky Fried Wishes Grant as a reward for raising the most funds for the KFC Foundation in the U.S. We chose <a href="https://shpbeds.org/" >Sleep in Heavenly
Peace</a>, an organization that provides beds to children in need in our area. Getting the opportunity to give back is so important because I want to have a greater impact on my community. My team and I are motivated by the good that is possible through our work and the generosity of our customers - it fuels our work every day. </p>
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<p><b><span style="font-size: 18px;">What is your favorite
memory with Kentucky Fried Wishes?</span></b></p>
<p>When we presented the $10,000 grant check to Sleep in Heavenly Peace, we did so at their annual “build day.” I attended the event, along with two of my shift supervisors and two team members. That day, we worked with other volunteers to build a total of 200 beds for children in the community. I loved getting to present the check to the organization at this event because we got to see the direct impact of our efforts. Each bed we helped to fund or build meant one less child in Euguene was without a place to sleep. It was inspiring!</p>
<p><em><img src="/wps/wcm/connect/yumbrands/f62ed4c1-47f6-4469-9fde-c3538ef64405/1/Shantel+Story+Photos.png?MOD=AJPERES" alt="" title="" style="margin: 0px auto; display: block;" /></em><br /></p>
<p><b><span style="font-size: 18px;">What have you learned
from this experience?</span></b></p>
<p>I’ve learned the importance of sharing the impact of the KFC Foundation and asking our customers for a donation every time they make a purchase. All donations, big or small, can be used to make a difference in the lives of our communities, and giving our customers the opportunity to be part of the impact is important. </p>
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<p><b><span style="font-size: 18px;">What do you feel when
someone mentions Kentucky Fried Wishes?</span></b></p>
<p>Proud. When people see that KFC is investing in organizations and causes that matter to them, they want to support that. I see this not from just customers, but from the nonprofits in our area as well. It is cool to see the word get out about what we are doing to support the people of Eugene and becoming known as a restaurant who cares. It makes me feel like I’m making a real impact in my community beyond the service we provide in the restaurant.</p>
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