North Texas nonprofit United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and PepsiCo are seeking to raise $20 million to support short- and long-term needs in South Dallas.
The goals of the Southern Dallas Prosperity Fund are to improve the quality of preschool education, provide nutritious meals for families, prepare high school students for college and careers, and provide support services and workforce development training for women. That's it.
Current and retired PepsiCo employees have donated $8 million to the fund, according to United Way.
Stephen Williams, CEO of PepsiCo Foods North America, said Southern Dallas Thrives is a model partnership that promotes economic mobility for some of the city's most vulnerable residents. He said there is. That's why he wholeheartedly supports it, he said.
“To create a community where everyone has the opportunity to grow, we also need to provide access to grow,” Williams said.
The company's commitment to raise $20 million from its staff network exemplifies the North Texas spirit of generosity to United Way of Metropolitan Dallas CEO Jennifer Sampson.
Sampson hopes the endowment fund will act as a catalyst for continued investment in south Dallas.
“These financial commitments will benefit the South Dallas community and for current and future programs that address improving education, income, and health, which are the foundation of opportunity for residents of this traditionally under-resourced city. It’s transformative,” Sampson said. .
PepsiCo hopes to reach its fundraising goal by fall 2025, in time for United Way's 100th anniversary. Other groups putting money into the fund include Celanese, Vistra, AT&T, Comerica, Oncor and Bank of Texas, according to United Way.
