Kids Cards have raised over $13 million for children and families across
Canada since 2006
MISSISSAUGA, ON, Aug. 19,
2024 /CNW/ - Kids Cards are back at Boston Pizza for
a limited time, but this year with a new twist. The launch of
"Looking After Local," a community-based approach to fundraising,
ensures donations raised for Kids Cards, and all other locally
raised funds moving forward, will go towards supporting local
charities in the regions in which funds are generated.
This hyper-local approach was developed through franchisee
feedback asking for more fundraising support for their local
communities. Historically, donations supported Boston Pizza's
national charity partners. Over the past 30 years, the Boston Pizza
Foundation has raised almost $40
million to support organizations across the country.
For a minimum $5 donation to the
Boston Pizza Foundation, guests receive a Kids Gift Card which can
be redeemed for five free Boston Pizza kids' meals beginning
September 1 (until June 30, 2025) with donations staying within
their communities through Looking After Local. Boston Pizza Kids
Cards will also be available online at BostonPizza.ca from
August 19 to September 30. As an
extra bonus, guests can register their Kids Card on their MyBP
account to receive a sixth free Boston Pizza kids' meal.
"Community is at the heart of Boston Pizza, and as a proudly
Canadian owned organization, we understand that each province,
city, and neighbourhood have its own unique needs and challenges
that only our local franchisees, staff and guests intimately
understand," says Cheryl Treliving,
Chairwoman of the Boston Pizza Foundation. "The introduction of
Looking After Local is reflective of our goal to continue to find
ways to best support our guests, partners, franchisees, and the
communities in which we operate each and every day."
"As a proud Boston Pizza franchisee over many years, Kids
Cards is one of my favourite times of year. It's always incredible
to see our guests - and even friends and family - involved in the
fundraising," says Karley David,
franchisee in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
"With the introduction of Looking After Local, we are excited to
see the generosity of guests going right back into our
community."
"Communities are what support our restaurants; and we're
grateful to give back to the ones we're a part of," shares
Edmonton, Alberta franchisee,
Ewen MacPherson.
"Growing up, I always wanted to give back in some way. Kids
Cards fundraising staying local enables me and the entire
restaurant team to do that," says Markham, Ontario franchise, Piraveen
Sivalingam.
Beyond this program, Boston Pizza restaurants will continue to
support its local communities through fundraising events and
sponsorships throughout the year. From the Heart-Shaped Valentine's
Day pizzas, Paper Hearts campaign, or backing local sports teams
and hosting trivia nights, and more.
To learn more about the Boston Pizza Foundation see here.
About Boston Pizza Foundation
For over 60 years, community support has been a pillar of the
Boston Pizza brand. In 1990, we formalized our giving back through
the Boston Pizza Foundation and now we are unlocking more ways for
restaurants to give back to their local communities through our new
Looking After Local Program. Through Looking After Local, each
franchisee directs 100% of the donations collected during our two
annual fundraisers – Valentine's Day and Kids Cards – to a local
charity of their choice. Together, we work to deepen our roots in
the neighbourhoods we serve every single day. Since its origin, the
Boston Pizza Foundation has raised and donated almost $40 million to a variety of charitable causes,
and we are excited to see the impact hit closer to home with this
localized approach.
About Boston Pizza
Boston Pizza International Inc. ("BPI") is the premier
casual dining brand in Canada. The first Boston Pizza
restaurant opened in Edmonton,
Alberta in 1964 and 60 years later BP proudly remains a 100%
Canadian company serving communities from coast-to-coast-to-coast.
It boasts a vast network of local franchise owners who collectively
operate the largest number of dining rooms, sports bars, and patios
across the nation, complemented by robust takeout and delivery
services. BPI has been recognized as a Franchisees' Choice
Designation winner and a Platinum Member of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies for many
years, and has received awards from Great Places To Work in the
categories of Best Workplaces for Mental Wellness, Best Workplaces
for Women, and Best Workplaces with Most Trusted Executive
Teams.
SOURCE Boston Pizza International Inc.