H.E.L.P., the Charity announced that in its first 24 months of existence, it has already issued 185 awards of grants totaling $31,091.92.
Through its grant program, H.E.L.P. provides grants to U.S. based non-profit tax exempt schools and other entities to support educational programs. H.E.L.P. was born out of the desire of the shareholders and franchisees of Figaro’s Italian Pizza, to make a positive, long lasting impact on the communities we serve. The worldwide recession caused many local, state and federal governments to drastically cut the budgets at schools, with potentially devastating results. If our children are unable to receive a quality education, they could fall behind children in other countries, potentially weakening our nation’s competitiveness. It was this need that drove Figaro’s Pizza and its franchise owners to conceive of H.E.L.P., the Charity. H.E.L.P., is ‘Helping Education with Love and Pizza’. H.E.L.P. was launched in late 2010 and began raising funds that October.
The charity has since applied for and obtained 501 (c) 3 status from the Internal Revenue Service.
The funds awarded to date will make a positive impact on children’s lives in many communities, providing contributions to facilitate the purchasing of:
- Online math program materials in Dorena, Oregon
- Track equipment in Stayton, Oregon
- Bike storage shelter in Lebanon, Oregon
- Interactive notebooks for Language Arts and Science in Molalla, Oregon
- Binders in Hamilton, Montana
- Life Skills reward system in Estacada, Oregon
- Computer earphones in Defiance, Ohio
- Gardening equipment for Girl Scout service project in Sheridan, Oregon
- Science video library in Eugene, Oregon
- Physical Education equipment in Monmouth, Oregon
- Supplies in Encinitas, California
- MP3 players in Keizer, Oregon
- School books in Burns, Salem and Scio, Oregon
- Football helmet reconditioning for safety in Madras, Oregon
- Safety equipment in Rochester, Washington
- Musical instrument repairs in Myrtle Creek and Philomath, Oregon
- Laptop computer in Newport, Oregon
- Playground stabilization materials in Sweet Home, Oregon
- Scholarships for overcoming difficulties in Pulaski, Wisconsin
If your school or school program could use our H.E.L.P., please visit your nearest Figaro’s for grant applications, or visit Figaro’s online at www.figaros.com.