As part of the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens and its Graduate to Go initiative, 90 teenagers from Boys and Girls Clubs across Southern California recently teamed up with Taco Bell executives to help develop and market new menu items. The exercise was part of the foundation's Camp Taco Bell business leadership program.
The winning team of five teens from the Carson (Calif.) Boys & Girls Club received a combined total of $15,000 in scholarships and grants to fund their college education. Their "Live Large Burrito" claimed victory in a final taste-off held at a Los Angeles Taco Bell restaurant, where customers were able to vote on their favorite menu creation.
"To be able to create something for Taco Bell and see it become a reality – a real product sold in an actual restaurant– is beyond exciting. My team worked very hard and we are honored that Taco Bell selected us as the 'Camp Taco Bell' winner," said 16-year-old Reign Ross-Elliott Rolland, one of the scholarship recipients. "To have this real-world experience and to have the support and encouragement from the Taco Bell Foundation is invaluable."
Also, through its Graduate to Go fundraiser in June, the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens, with support from participating Taco Bell restaurants nationwide, raised $4.2 million. The money raised will be used to award grants to more than 350 organizations that support programs designed to inspire teens to graduate high school.
"For 20 years, the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens has found its purpose in serving America's teens because they are our customers, employees and family members," said Greg Creed, chief executive officer, Taco Bell. "One of the best ways we can give back to our youth is to help them become caring, educated and productive adults, and putting a high school diploma in the hands of teenagers puts them on the right path to accomplishing their long-term goals."
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