At Frito-Lay, we have a long-standing presence in North Texas and have always taken great pride in actively contributing to the community we call home. With a special focus on southern Dallas, in partnership with the PepsiCo Foundation and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas (UWMD), we established Southern Dallas Thrives (SDT) in 2018. This powerful initiative is aimed at creating positive change in the region. Southern Dallas faces significant challenges, including high levels of poverty and unemployment, and SDT was born out of a shared determination to provide financial, tangible and occupational support to its residents.
The connection between Frito-Lay and the southern Dallas community runs deep, with a quarter of our 6,500 D-FW employees calling this area home. This reality has only intensified the resolve to make a meaningful difference in the southern sector, making opportunities more equitable and strengthening the entire D-FW community. Demonstrating unwavering support, both employees and executives have committed themselves to SDT’s mission.
SDT was established with ambitious goals: to provide 1 million meals by 2025, increase kindergarten readiness, empower women to enter or progress within the workforce, and support students in graduating high school. This partnership has become increasingly vital over time, exceeding its initial focus and expanding its reach and commitments, particularly through the various support and activations undertaken in 2022. In just five years, the impact of SDT’s education, income and health initiatives in Dallas have uplifted numerous individuals and communities in southern Dallas.
At Frito-Lay, our core belief is that the community lies at the heart of the business. This principle is exemplified and reinforced by Steven Williams, CEO of PepsiCo Foods North America. To further drive community service, Steven took on the role of board chair of UWMD in 2022 and will serve as the 2024-2025 campaign chair during the organization’s centennial year. Under Steven’s leadership, in 2022 we have generously donated 30 million units of product across the United States, provided support to over 135,000 families through food access and economic development, and engaged in volunteerism with over 4,000 hours of employee participation. Notably, we also host one of the most significant annual Day of Caring activations in the D-FW community each year, with our Plano headquarters abuzz with anticipation for this year’s event.
