KFC India employees throw a birthday party for more than 200 kids at local schools. Images provided by KFC.
KFC U.S. sent more than 25 volunteers to four Louisville-based elementary schools recently to fill backpacks with food for the weekend, so that no child would return on Monday hungry. They packed 850 knapsacks, like they do every month (typically filling 1,600 backpacks monthly) in partnership with the Blessings in a Backpack program. And their actions, while admirable, will be felt beyond Kentucky because they’re part of a global initiative: Annual Acts of Colonel-ness.
KFC U.S. volunteers packing backpacks.
A play on the words “random acts of kindness,” the KFC Global-led program is a first for the brand and aims to celebrate founder Colonel Harland Sanders by encouraging KFC employees, team members and customers to pay it forward 128,000 times as he would’ve turned 128 years old this year.
“Moving forward, KFC will annually celebrate the Colonel’s birthday (September 9) by using our heart-led culture to drive change in our local communities,” said KFC Global Chief Marketing Officer Catherine Tan. “The Colonel often said that he was far more interested in doing good and helping people than making money, so we’re honoring his legacy throughout his birthday month.”
Around the world, KFC employees are making the Colonel proud. In the Middle East and North Africa, staff recognized more than 1,000 delivery drivers through handwritten notes, thanking them for bettering the business every day. They also gave the drivers “Cool-ness Kits” filled with items like a cold bottle of water and sun-blocking hat to help them beat the heat during their often sweaty commutes.
Driver receiving a Cool-ness Kit in KFC MENA.
Myanmar workers fed Yangon City Development Council (YCDC) staff with 100 signature Zinger Rice Boxes. “These people work day and night to keep our city clean and more often than not, are forgotten or neglected in the daily pursuits of life’s challenges,” said KFC Marketing GM Kelvin Hong. “We want to make sure to that they know they are valued and important by giving them the Colonel’s best.”
Myanmar workers distribute Zinger Rice Boxes to YCDC staff.
And employees in India threw a birthday party for more than 200 kids at local schools that are supported through the KFC Add Hope program, which now feeds more than 15,000 at-risk children in the nation.
Those are but a few examples. During the Colonel’s birthday month of September and beyond, every restaurant and support center (RSCs) will focus on making the world better by starting in their own backyard.
“KFC is Yum!’s biggest brand by restaurant count — over 300,000 team members in 21,000 restaurants across more than 130 countries,” said incoming KFC Global CEO Tony Lowings. “When you think about mobilizing that army for good, we have an opportunity to create a ripple effect that will be felt across the world.”
It’s just the birthday present that The Colonel would’ve wanted.
Kathryn Luttner also contributed to this reporting.
