How Freddy’s Supports the Kids In Need Foundation
When August comes around, kids, parents, educators and more are already starting to think about the upcoming school year. Since many retailers start promoting school supplies for the new year almost exactly when the previous school year concludes, it’s hard not to anticipate the next year, even while trying to enjoy summer vacation. At Freddy’s, we also care about both kids and education. In addition to the Freddy & Bill Simon Memorial Scholarship program that helps support Freddy’s team members in pursuing their educational goals, we also collaborate with the Kids In Need Foundation to support students and teachers in under-resourced schools across the country. Learn more below about this incredible organization and how you can make a difference this back-to-school season at Freddy’s!
More About The Kids In Need Foundation
The Kids In Need Foundation focuses on supporting schools where 70% or more of the enrolled students are eligible for free or reduced-cost meals through the National School Lunch Program. By providing supplies and other resources to students and teachers, this national nonprofit aims to create more equitable learning spaces. Here’s a look at this organization’s impact: over 7 million students and 330,000 teachers across more than 17,000 schools received over 140 million dollars in supplies and resources from the Kids In Need Foundation and their national network.
How do those numbers translate into the daily experiences of students and teachers?
With the supplies and resources of the Kids In Need Foundation, teachers share that so many facets of students’ experiences are impacted, from their interest and engagement in learning to boosts in their confidence and self-esteem. Therefore, contributing to the Kids In Need Foundation isn’t just about getting the necessary supplies into students' hands or supporting the teachers in their classrooms. It’s not only about ensuring that the National Network of Resource Centers can provide teachers with what they need to focus on the students and their learning experiences, instead of the resources that they or their students don’t have. It’s about empowering kids and showing them that they matter, that their education matters and that their futures are full of possibility.
Wondering how you can support the Kids In Need Foundation?
There are many ways to get involved with the Kids In Need Foundation. In addition to donating funds directly to the organization, you can also donate supplies, including notebooks, crayons, markers, pencils and more. Groups, companies and individuals can host fundraisers or volunteer in many different capacities. You might even consider sponsoring a backpack building event. This year’s August Roundup at Freddy’s is yet another way to support the vital work of this nonprofit!
During the month of August, support kids across the country, perhaps in a community near you, just by rounding up when you pay for your lunch, the frozen custard treats that you bought for your own kids, or any other order at Freddy’s. At one of the hundreds of Freddy’s locations, all you need to do is place your order, opt for the round up during payment, and eventually see how each donation can have a big impact. As shared via PR Newswire, over $375,600 was raised for the Kids In Need Foundation over the course of August 2024. Similarly, during May of this year, a similar roundup opportunity during National Military Appreciation Month resulted in more than $381,900 for Folds of Honor – an organization that provides scholarships to dependents and/or spouses of fallen or disabled US service members and first responders.
We celebrate and appreciate what our guests have already given to these causes. This August, we invite you to join us once again in supporting the Kids In Need Foundation, so that the accumulation of your change can make a lasting difference for students and teachers this year and in the years ahead.
Kid-Friendly Menu Selections at Freddy’s
Want to treat your own kids to a special meal while helping other kids this month? As shared at PR Newswire, 2024 was not only the year that our guests raised over $375,600 for the Kids In Need Foundation, but also when our new specialty Kids Meals became available at Freddy’s for the first time. Currently, kids have three different combo meals to choose from. Each comes with a featured main dish, as well as a drink and side of choice. Additionally, each meal may include extras like stickers, games, puzzles or even board books. Illustrations of FredHead and his friends, Sundae and Hotdog, on the meal packaging and other items are also designed to bring smiles to the faces of our younger diners and those who may be with them. Below, find out more about our available combo meals designed especially for kids and some of the frozen custard treats that our younger guests may like to try!
Freddy’s Kids Combos
Kid’s Steakburger Combo: This combo meal includes one steakburger patty, cheese, ketchup and pickles on a toasted bun, as well as a choice of side and drink. However, kids (like any other guests at Freddy’s) can also customize their meals to their preferences. So, if they’d prefer a blend of Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese or lettuce and BBQ sauce instead of pickles and ketchup, they can enjoy their steakburgers just how they like them!
Kid’s Hot Dog Combo: The standard preparation for this combo meal embraces delicious simplicity at its best: an all beef hot dog and a toasted bun. From there, kids can add up to 5 more toppings, like chili, sauerkraut or one of the many different sauces. They’ll also have a choice of sides for any of the three specialty kid’s combo meals including Freddy’s Kettle Chips, Kids Fries, Kids Tots or Mott’s® Natural Applesauce.
Kid’s Tender Combo: Whether with this combo that features two crispy chicken tenders and a choice of sauce or one of the other two options, kids can also pick their drink or frozen custard treat as well as their side. From milk and juice to sundaes and shakes, they’ll have many options to choose from for this part of their meal.
Mini Sundaes, OREO® Sandwiches and Other Freddy’s Frozen Custard Treats
Dirt ‘N Worms: With the colorful gummy worms and crushed OREO® cookies in addition to the whipped cream and maraschino cherry on top, it’s no surprise that kids and adults alike are intrigued by this sweet treat. Kids can opt for a mini version of this frozen custard creation (or many of our other sundae or concrete selections) with their combo meal.
OREO® Custard Sandwich: No utensils needed with this frozen custard treat! This portable sandwich features a choice of frozen custard between two OREO® wafers. For even more of these beloved cookies combined with fresh, creamy frozen custard, the OREO® Double Trouble is another selection that kids of all ages may want to try.
Floats and Frosts: In addition to the classic root beer float that we prepare with flavorful MUG® Root Beer and our fresh and creamy frozen custard, the Dr Pepper® Frost is now available for a limited time only. For kids who appreciate exclusive specials or just like the 23 different flavors of this particular beverage, they may not want to miss this treat! For those who enjoy their refreshing drinks on the fruitier side, they may want to check out our Lemon Cream and Orange Cream Frosts!
Create Your Own: In some of our standard menu selections, classic sweets like REESE’S Peanut Butter Cups and OREO® cookies are the foundation of the dish. However, kids can also customize their own custard creations to include these and many other toppings. From brownies, cheesecake bites, cookie dough and M&M® candies to hot fudge, peanut butter sauce and marshmallow, the possibilities for off-the-menu custard combinations are virtually endless!
6 Other Ways For Kids and Adults to Make a Difference
Participating in the August Roundup at Freddy’s means enjoying delicious food and frozen custard treats while supporting others at the same time. It also provides an opportunity for conversations about the importance of giving back. As shared at Parents, kids benefit from volunteering, whether by way of their time, service or money as with each order at Freddy’s during the month of August. For their social and emotional well-being and maybe even their physical health, the benefits of volunteering for kids (and people of all ages) are numerous. As we at Freddy’s continue to be inspired by our restaurant’s namesake, Freddy Simon, and his commitment to service, your kids may be inspired by your participation in the August Roundup and want to explore other opportunities to make a difference in causes that matter to them. From the lengthy idea list at Good Housekeeping and the age-specific list shared at Parents, here are 6 ideas for volunteering that may be of interest to kids and adults alike:
1. Participate in a charity walk or run. Need some motivation to get out and exercise? Want to spend the day with a family member or friend doing something for your health and for a good cause? Check out events that organizations near you may be hosting, such as the local animal shelter, or other opportunities happening in your area, like the Congenital Heart Walk series that raises funds for research on congenital heart defects.
2. Start a Little Free Library or contribute to one near you! Explore new books and let someone else enjoy books you’ve already finished.
3. Donate to a local food pantry or host or support a food drive. This option can be a great idea for younger kids. Whether on your grocery trips or from your pantry, have them help pick out items on the request list at your local food pantry and put them in the box to eventually be delivered to it. Prior to the second Saturday of May, consider checking to see if the letter carriers in your area are participating in the Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger® Food Drive, noted as the largest single-day food drive in the country!
4. Clean up the waters or parks near you! Whether participating in an organized International Coastal Cleanup®, starting your own cleanup or just picking up trash at your favorite beach or walking path, help save the environment through your efforts.
5. Raise money by recycling. Recycling is an important effort on its own, but it can also be a way to contribute to a cause without accessing other financial resources. It’s also something that kids of many ages can help with, even if it is just by putting the can in the designated container.
6. Consider small acts of kindness. From helping someone reach a shelf at the supermarket to opening the door for someone, small acts of kindness make an impact. Another option is to write thank you notes or do something special for the people in your community and across the country who work tirelessly to help others. Remember: whether you give a few cents or an afternoon or make a regular commitment to helping out an organization, these efforts matter and make a difference!
If you aren’t sure exactly how to get kids into volunteering, PBS provides some tips. Some of the first recommendations in this guide are modeling these actions for your kids and finding something fun to do together. By participating in the August Roundup at Freddy’s, parents can model giving back for their kids and have a fun and delicious time doing it! Learning about the Kids In Need Foundation at your upcoming visit to Freddy’s may even spark their interest in doing something else for this organization, like collecting essential supplies to send.
The Kids In Need Foundation aims to support students and teachers in under-resourced communities in starting each school year off right. This August, you can be a part of this effort, simply by rounding up your order total at Freddy’s. Whether you enjoy our new BBQ Brisket Steakburger Combo or treat your kids to one of our fun and delicious Kids Meals, we thank you in advance for any support you can provide and look forward to making your meal to order for your enjoyment. In addition to the happy feeling that often accompanies doing something to help someone else (and eating at Freddy’s), don’t forget to join Freddy’s Rewards to earn points for FREE rewards at Freddy’s!