Summer vacation conjures images of joyful freedom, endless sunshine, and carefree adventures for most children. But for millions across America, the end of the school year can mean the beginning of uncertainty, food insecurity, and hunger. Domino’s Pizza Inc., recognizing this significant issue, recently announced a powerful three-year, $1 million commitment to No Kid Hungry, aiming to transform summertime for kids facing food insecurity nationwide.
“Many people think of summer as a fun, carefree time, but it can be difficult for kids who are facing food insecurity, as they no longer have access to school meals,” shared Domino’s CEO Russell Weiner. “Domino’s is excited to announce our $1 million pledge to No Kid Hungry in an effort to help eliminate childhood hunger in the U.S., so kids can focus on being kids.”
Domino’s Partnership to Combat Summer Hunger
The generous pledge from Domino’s represents a substantial investment aimed specifically at addressing the significant summer meal gap. Each year, as school doors close, children from low-income families lose regular access to the reliable, nutritious meals provided by schools. According to No Kid Hungry, nearly 12 million children in the U.S. face hunger annually, with summer representing a particularly vulnerable period when school meals become unavailable.
Domino’s partnership with No Kid Hungry targets this precise need, expanding and enhancing summer meal programs designed to fill the nutrition void. Russell Weiner joined No Kid Hungry’s CEO Pledge to End Summer Hunger in the spring of 2025. This move reinforces Domino’s commitment not only financially but strategically, ensuring the initiative remains effective and impactful.
Anne Filipic, CEO of Share Our Strength, the organization behind No Kid Hungry, underscored the importance of such corporate partnerships. “We have a monumental opportunity to close the summer meals gap for millions of kids in America,” said Filipic. “That’s why we’re investing the necessary funds, so local groups have the support they need, including essential resources like meal trucks, food packaging, and refrigeration to implement new and more accessible programs to feed kids this and every summer. Thanks to Domino’s $1 million pledge, we are that much closer to ending summer hunger.”
This strategic initiative builds on Domino’s longstanding commitment to addressing food insecurity, a pledge visible through its enduring support of organizations like GENYOUth, a national nonprofit dedicated to helping schoolchildren thrive, and local hunger relief efforts across more than 30 U.S. cities.
About No Kid Hungry: Committed to Ending Childhood Hunger
While Domino’s recent partnership highlights a powerful corporate effort to address food insecurity, No Kid Hungry has long championed solutions to eliminate childhood hunger across America. The campaign, launched by Share Our Strength, is exclusively dedicated to this crucial cause, determinedly stating that no child should go hungry in a nation of abundance.
Millions of American children face hunger daily. No Kid Hungry tackles this pervasive issue by enhancing and expanding programs providing reliable access to nutritious meals. Whether it’s breakfast at school, after-school snacks, or summer meals when school is out, No Kid Hungry tirelessly works to ensure all kids receive the healthy food necessary to grow, learn, and thrive.
According to No Kid Hungry’s impact reports, every $1 donated can provide up to 10 meals for children in need, highlighting the efficiency and effectiveness of their programs.
“This is a problem we know how to solve,” emphasizes No Kid Hungry. Their strategic approach involves advocacy, community support, and innovative programs designed to overcome traditional barriers like transportation, program awareness, and resource availability.
Strategic Initiatives: Summer Meals and More
No Kid Hungry’s targeted programs address the unique challenges summer poses to food-insecure children. Traditionally, summer meal participation has been significantly lower than school-year meal programs, primarily due to logistical barriers. Before the establishment of enhanced programs, only about 2.8 million children accessed summer meals, a stark contrast to the millions more eligible and in need.
To tackle these barriers, No Kid Hungry champions key initiatives, including Summer EBT (known as SUN Bucks), which offers families a grocery benefit to purchase nutritious food during the summer. Another impactful program, SUN Meals To-Go, enables meal pickup or delivery in rural and underserved communities, ensuring even the hardest-to-reach children remain fed and healthy.
These innovative programs stand to significantly impact the lives of approximately 31 million children nationwide, profoundly improving summer nutrition accessibility and alleviating food insecurity.
Sustaining Momentum: Corporate Responsibility in Action
The collaboration between Domino’s and No Kid Hungry serves as a compelling example of effective corporate social responsibility and franchise heart. It highlights how targeted investments and corporate leadership can drive significant social impact. With Domino’s investment, No Kid Hungry can provide vital resources, ensuring more communities across America effectively address food insecurity during summer months and beyond.
Anne Filipic summarized the broader significance of the Domino’s partnership, stating, “Thanks to Domino’s $1 million pledge, we are that much closer to ending summer hunger.” Indeed, such impactful partnerships represent crucial steps forward in creating a hunger-free future for all American children.
Moving Forward: A Collective Commitment
As Domino’s and No Kid Hungry demonstrate, the fight against childhood hunger requires sustained commitment, innovative strategies, collective action and franchise heart. Through dedicated programs, influential partnerships, and steadfast advocacy, No Kid Hungry continues to lead this essential effort, aiming for a future where no child in America faces hunger.
To join Domino’s and other corporate leaders in this essential work, visit NoKidHungry.org to learn how you or your organization can help end childhood hunger.
