Cultivating Healthy Futures with Popeyes Foundation's Food Love Grant
At the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwood, we believe in showing love through action, and nothing is more fundamental than ensuring our youth have access to fresh, nutritious food. Thanks to the generous support of a 2025 Food Love Grant from the Popeyes Foundation, we brought this belief to life through our immersive Healthy Habits Program. This garden-based nutrition initiative has empowered a new generation with the skills and knowledge to grow, cook, and love healthy food.
A Partnership with Purpose
We are honored to be part of the Popeyes Foundation’s SERVING WITH LOVE® initiative. As Renee Hobbs, Executive Director of the Popeyes Foundation, says, “Through the Popeyes Foundation’s Food Love Grants program, we are providing food to those who need it... The Popeyes Foundation is honored to partner with local Popeyes teams and continue giving back to Popeyes communities.”
This partnership enabled us to direct vital resources exactly where they were needed most, aligning with the grant’s focus on ensuring at least 80% of funds supported direct food and food-related expenses. From seeds and garden tools to fresh produce for cooking lessons, every dollar helped cultivate health and confidence in our members.
The Program in Action
Over approximately 16 weeks, our youth embarked on a hands-on journey from seed to snack:
Garden Education: Under the guidance of a certified CTE Diversified Agriculture Educator, members learned soil science, composting, and how to plant, maintain, and harvest seasonal crops from our on-site garden beds.
Culinary Skills: A local chef and restaurateur led engaging kitchen sessions, teaching members how to transform their harvest into simple, healthy meals while learning kitchen safety and nutrition.
Sustainable Impact: The program culminated in 16 members earning their Healthy Habits Badge and the establishment of a permanent "Healthy Station" at our Club, providing ongoing access to nutritious snacks and education.
A Lasting Impact, Measured and Shared
We are proud to share the impact of this program, which served numerous youth in our community with a focus on food literacy and hands-on meals. We extend our deepest gratitude to the Popeyes Foundation for their trust and investment. As highlighted in the Foundation’s key messages, “What makes the Popeyes Foundation’s Food Love Grants Program unique is the inspiration stems from Popeyes’ beloved New Orleans roots, which are all about being there for their neighbors and serving communities through food.”
We are thrilled to have been a part of this initiative and to recognize the Foundation’s crucial role.
