Just 18 days into their annual fundraising campaign at participating Taco Bell and IHOP franchise locations throughout the Southeast, the Armed Forces Families Foundation (AFFF) announced that they significantly surpassed the amount of contributions raised during last year’s campaign.

In response to the success of the fundraising campaign, participating Taco Bell and IHOP franchise locations have pledged to donate an additional $10,000 if the fundraiser surpasses the new goal of $350,000.

To date AFFF, which helps military members and their families, has raised more than $228,000. Nearly 300 Taco Bell and IHOP locations are participating in this year’s annual fundraising drive, which lasts through Nov. 22.

“We are overwhelmed with the charitable support that we have received in such a short amount of time, and to have our Taco Bell and IHOP franchise partners,” said John Wright, a board member of AFFF. “We’re asking the public to continue to visit participating locations between now and November 22 and to help us reach our new goal of $350,000, 100 percent of which, will go towards helping military families.”

AFFF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides 100 percent of the funds raised to the development of permanent or semi-permanent infrastructure projects to help military families. To date, the Armed Forces Families Foundation has raised and given back more than $1.3 million to benefit military families.

Diners wishing to support military families may do so by visiting participating locations and purchasing a paper icon for $1 or more. At IHOP, donors will receive a coupon for a free stack of three buttermilk pancakes, while at Taco Bell, donors will receive a coupon for a free soft or crunchy original seasoned beef taco. The coupons are good for their next visit and are available while supplies last.
Funds raised through this campaign will stay in the community where they were raised and will help local projects that support the families of those serving in military. For a list of participating locations, click here.

About Armed Forces Families Foundation:

The Armed Forces Families Foundation (AFFF), together with participating Taco Bell restaurants, are proud Supporters of America’s Armed Forces and their families. The ARMED FORCES FAMILIES FOUNDATION with its Taco Bell partners have raised over 1.3 MILLION DOLLARS. 100% of every dollar raised goes toward projects to help those who protect our Freedom. For more information, please visit http://www.armedforcesfamilies.org/

About Taco Bell

Taco Bell Corp., a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., (NYSE: YUM), is the nation’s leading Mexican-inspired quick service restaurant. Taco Bell serves made to order and customizable tacos, burritos, and specialties such as the exclusive Doritos® Locos Tacos, gourmet-inspired Cantina Power® Menu, lower calorie Fresco options and is the first QSR restaurant to offer American Vegetarian Association (AVA)-certified menu items. Taco Bell Breakfast offers portable, classic items such as the A.M. Crunchwrap, Biscuit Taco and signature breakfast burritos. The company encourages customers to “Live Más,” both through its food and in ways such as its Feed The Beat® music program and its nonprofit organization, the Taco Bell® Foundation™. Taco Bell and its more than 350 franchise organizations have nearly 6,000 restaurants across the United States that proudly serve more than 40 million customers every week.

About International House of Pancakes

For 58 years, IHOP has been a leader, innovator and expert in all things breakfast, any time of day. The chain offers 65 different signature, fresh, made-to-order breakfast options, a wide selection of popular lunch and dinner items as well as meals under 600 calories. IHOP restaurants offer guests an affordable, everyday dining experience with warm and friendly service. As of June 30, 2016, there were 1,685 IHOP restaurants in 50 states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam as well as Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, The Philippines, and Panama. IHOP restaurants are franchised and operated by Glendale, Calif.-based DineEquity, Inc. (NYSE: DIN) and its affiliates.

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