Giving Back to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Redlands-Riverside

Domino’s corporate stores and franchisees across the country are doing what they can to help during the COVID-19 crisis. This story is part of a series where we highlight local Domino’s owners and team members who are giving back to their communities.

As social distancing and self-quarantining become the new normal at this time, so are economic hardships. Businesses are shuttering, unemployment is spiking and access to basic needs – like food, rent and utilities – is getting harder for millions, including many kids and families who are served by Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Redlands-Riverside in California.

“The biggest challenge Boys & Girls Club is facing with our families is food shortage and ensuring kids and their families don’t go hungry during this crisis,” said Mark Davis, senior vice president of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Redlands-Riverside. “School districts are providing breakfast and lunch. However, for many of our families, they still struggle with food for dinner and weekend meals.”

Domino’s wanted to help. Domino’s corporate headquarters and the locally-owned Domino’s in Redlands donated a combined 450 pizzas to Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Redlands-Riverside during the COVID-19 crisis.

“Domino’s is known for delivering pizza, and the best way we know to help in times of need is by doing just that,” said Lisa Barbee, office manager for the Domino’s franchisee in Redlands. “Everyone deserves to have a hot meal on their table, and we were happy to provide pizza for kids and families at the Boys & Girls Club.”

As many grocery stores have been running out of bulk food and toilet paper, the Boys & Girls Club has noticed even more people coming to them for help.

“The donation means that families do not have to worry about a meal for their family today,” Davis said. “It means there are people, companies who are willing to help in times of need. It means the donation from Domino’s comes at a time when we were scrambling to see how far the current resources we had would last. I can’t tell you how good it feels to know others care, especially in this time of uncertainty.”

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Redlands-Riverside welcomes any donations that individuals can spare, especially nonperishable food and toiletries. The nonprofit organization is also looking for financial support to purchase food, educational activity packs for kids who are at home and help with staffing, so that they can offer virtual programming. For more information on Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Redlands-Riverside, visit begreatie.org.

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