ORLANDO – MAN UP Mentoring, Inc. (MAN UP) is proud to announce we have been awarded one of PepsiCo Foundation’s Community Impact Grants. The PepsiCo Foundation is the philanthropic arm of PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ: PEP), one of the world’s leading food and beverage companies. The program is a part of the company’s efforts to invest in local communities by providing resources for valuable programming, that support education, training, and mentoring.
MAN UP is one of 100 public charities and organizations across the United States and Canada awarded the $10,000 Community Impact Grant. Through strategic partnerships, such as the Community Impact Grant, the PepsiCo Foundation aspires to provide lasting change by tackling the challenges of inequality through access to economic opportunity, clean water, and food security.
The newly launched MANUP CEO Program will expose mentees to various career paths, financial literacy, and the journey of entrepreneurship, while also serving as a deterrent to youth violence and criminal activity. The first year, 20 mentees will shadow leaders in the workplace, while also gaining valuable insights about management requirements. Additionally, youth participants must attend career readiness workshops and literacy tutoring. The pilot program will culminate with an awards ceremony.
Creating opportunities like this is critical to the success of our mentees, it’s a lifeline,” says the sibling-duo, Chris and Samantha Wallace, founders of the community-based organization. “We thank the PepsiCo Foundation for investing in our young people and helping local communities like ours thrive.”
The Community Impact Grants are meant to have an immediate, and direct impact on our community.
“We look up to the community organizations that work tirelessly every day to ensure their neighbors thrive,” said C.D. Glin, President of the PepsiCo Foundation. “PepsiCo has a long history of working with local partners to invest in communities where our consumers and associates live and work. We’re proud to support these organizations in making lasting change.”
About MAN UP Mentoring, Inc:
MANUP Mentoring, Inc. is community-based non-profit 501c (3) charity organization primarily serving at-risk youth ages 11 through completion of high school or the equivalent across Metro Orlando, with a focus on delinquency prevention and intervention by providing social, educational, and mentoring services. Established in 2014 by Orlando natives, brother and sister duo Christopher and Samantha Wallace. Currently, it is managed by a full-time Executive Director, a staff of contractors, and volunteers. It is overseen by a Board of Directors with more than 150 years of law enforcement and civilian experience, as well as advisors from the Orange County Public School System and social services.
About the PepsiCo Foundation
The PepsiCo Foundation, the philanthropic arm of PepsiCo, invests in the essential elements of a sustainable food system with a mission to support thriving communities. Working with non-profits and experts around the globe, we’re focused on helping communities obtain access to food security, safe water and economic opportunity. We strive for tangible impact in the places where we live and work—collaborating with industry peers, local and international organizations, and our employees to affect large-scale change on the issues that matter to us and are of global importance. Learn more at www.pepsicofoundation.com.
