Food & Beverage

Dunkin's doggie delights do good for kids in need

Photo: Provided.

July 27, 2021

Taking a turn through the Dunkin' drive-thru doesn't have to be a disappointment for the dogs in the car anymore, as this summer, the Dunkin' Joy in Childhood Foundation and The Original BARK Company have partnered on a pair of solidly pup-approved dog toys, according to a news release.

The featured toys include a treat-dispensing Dunkin' coffee cup and a Dunkin' doughnut and bag and are available now nationally while supplies last. The toys are available in exchange for a donation, all of which support the Dunkin' Joy in Childhood Foundation which brings happiness to kids battling hunger or illness.

For a $12 donation at participating restaurants, guests will receive the plush Dunkin' coffee cup dog toy, which is crinkly and packed with squeakers and includes a small tab at the top that pups' people parents can lift to hide treats inside. For a $15 donation, customers can get a Dunkin' Domutt To-Go 2-in-1 toy that pup parents can hide treats inside too. The toy features a crinkle to-go bag, with a plush strawberry frosted doughnut topped with extra sprinkles and filled with squeakers.

On Aug. 26, dog parents can get these limited-edition toys through BARKShop.com, while BarkBox and Super Chewer subscribers can get the toys as add-ons to their monthly box through Add-to-Box.

Then, on Aug. 4, Dunkin' customers who bring their four-legged friends on their Dunkin' run can donate $1 to the Dunkin' Joy in Childhood Foundation and get a Cup for Pup as a thank you, featuring a four-ounce whipped cream delight in a cup, specially sized for dog snouts.

"There is a continued need to raise awareness and funding for children battling hunger or illness, and at Dunkin' we are always looking for meaningful opportunities to support this issue," Karen Raskopf, Dunkin' Joy in Childhood Foundation board co-chair, said in the release. "As dogs bring us all so much joy in our lives, this BARK partnership and the one day Cup for Pup program celebrate our precious companions while providing an opportunity for our guests to help us raise significant funds for children in need."

Last year's BARK and Dunkin' collaboration raised more than $1.8 million for foundation programs like Dogs for Joy, introduced in 2018 to bring full-time service dogs to children's hospitals. To date, the Dunkin' Joy in Childhood Foundation has funded 26 service dogs at 15 hospitals, impacting hundreds of thousands of young patients.