Yum! Brands launches World Hunger Relief effort with spokesperson Christina Aguilera

Yum! Brands announced the launch of its annual World Hunger Relief effort featuring multi-Grammy Award winner Christina Aguilera in a new public service announcement, according to a company press release.

According to the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), there are 795 million people around the world who suffer from chronic hunger. Yum! Brands’ World Hunger Relief effort is the world’s largest private-sector hunger relief initiative, spanning more than 125 countries, over 41,000 KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell restaurants and 1.5 million associates, the release stated. The initiative began in 2007, in an effort to raise awareness, volunteerism and funds for the WFP and other hunger-relief agencies.

The WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience, the release stated. Each year, WFP assists some 80 million people in approxiimately 80 countries.

The new PSA includes footage from Aguilera’s recent WFP humanitarian trip to Ecuador where she witnessed the effects of hunger first hand and helped beneficiaries of WFP’s nutrition programs, the release stated. Aguilera met with local refugee families and served food to hungry children who often receive just one meal a day through WFP’s school feeding program. The PSA will air online later this fall.

In addition to the new PSA, Aguilera raises awareness for the global hunger issue through World Hunger Relief posters at KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell restaurants, plus online efforts, including the campaign’s website, HungertoHope.com, the release stated. She has served as a volunteer spokesperson for World Hunger Relief since 2009 where her participation has helped raise millions for WFP and other hunger relief agencies. She also serves as an "Ambassador Against Hunger" for WFP where she has traveled on several relief trips with them.

"I’ve visited WFP relief sites in Ecuador, Rwanda, Haiti, and Guatemala and they are life changing experiences," Aguilera said. "While I’ve witnessed tremendous need, I’ve also seen the joy from mothers and their children as they’re served a meal through WFP. My goal with Yum! Brands World Hunger Relief is to inspire as many people as possible to donate to the cause and become part of the solution. Just $1 will provide a school meal for four children in developing countries."

Since 2007, Yum! Brands’ World Hunger Relief effort has raised more than $600 million for WFP and other hunger relief organizations and provided 2.4 billion nutritious meals for those in need, the release stated. Consumers can visit HungertoHope.com, donate in KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell restaurants worldwide or text "WHR" to 90999 in the U.S. to make a donation.

"We’re on a mission to Feed the World by making a difference in global hunger," said Greg Creed, CEO of Yum! Brands. "We’re thankful to WFP for their life-saving efforts in developing countries and to Christina Aguilera for using her voice to raise awareness about this critical issue. I’m also proud of the hard work and passion of our associates and franchisees around the globe who raise funds, food donations and volunteer in their local communities for hunger relief."

Yum! Brands also announced it has adopted the community of Jinotega, Nicaragua, as part of the company’s new Feed the World Ambassador Program. The new employee leadership program is part of the World Hunger Relief effort, according to a company press release.

The Feed the World Ambassador Program is a way for Yum! employees to fight global hunger and make a lasting impact in a community in need. Each year, a team of selected Yum! Ambassadors have the opportunity to travel to an adopted community and evaluate infrastructure improvements the company can support, the release stated. The Ambassadors work with WFP to determine improvement projects and costs and then launch fundraising efforts to support the specific community projects.

"We’re a company with a Huge Heart and it’s our privilege and responsibility to Feed the World by making a difference in global hunger," Creed said. "Witnessing WFP’s life-saving efforts in developing countries like Nicaragua is humbling. I’m hopeful our new employee campaign will give those less fortunate a hand up and create long-term change in communities around the world."

Creed and a team of Yum! Ambassadors recently traveled to Jinotega, Nicaragua, one of the poorest countries in Latin America, the release stated. Creed and the Yum! Ambassadors met with local leaders and WFP to identify how the Company could help several communities and schools in the Jinotega region. They also spoke with teachers and parents and prepared and served meals to children at local schools. The Yum! team is raising funds this year to help communities in the region build pre-school classrooms and bathrooms; upgrade their school cafeterias, storage and cooking facilities; provide essential classroom items such as student desks, white boards and supplies; and install sustainable irrigation systems and school gardens, among other things.

"Yum! Brands brings so much to our fight against hunger," said Jay Aldous, director of private sector partnerships for the WFP. "What is so inspiring is the commitment Yum! employees have in working toward a world with zero hunger. The Feed the World Ambassador Program is yet another example of this genuine desire to make an impact and change lives."

Yum! Brands Inc., based in Louisville, Kentucky, has more than 41,000 restaurants in more than 125 countries and territories.