Boys & Girls Clubs of Parkersburg teens Shawn M. and Gavin D. participated in a budgeting activity with Consumer Credit Counseling Service of the Mid-Ohio Valley earlier this summer. The organization recently announced funding from Taco Bell Foundation for its career and workforce readiness programming. (Photo Provided)

PARKERSBURG — The Taco Bell Foundation is financially supporting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Parkersburg for its career and workforce readiness programming.

The funds are from customers who round up their purchases at local Taco Bell stores, keeping those dollars in the Mid-Ohio Valley.

“We are fortunate for this generous partnership with Taco Bell Foundation and grateful for its investment in the great futures of local teens at Boys & Girls Clubs of Parkersburg,” club CEO Lynn Reins said. “It is thanks to partners like Taco Bell we have increased transportation through the purchase of minibus, completed our high school teen space, and expanded our services over the last several years. With the generous support like that of Taco Bell and other incredible donors we are serving nearly 250 youth and teens a day across three sites, providing them with lifelong skills they can take with them into adulthood.”

Setting the record by administering $28 million over 500 charities, Taco Bell Foundation focuses on communities and “non-profits that think differently and take bold approaches to creating new opportunities for young people.”

“We believe that empowering young people is one of the most meaningful ways we can invest in the future,” Lisa Lane Cardin, executive director of the Taco Bell Foundation, said. “This record investment is a testament to the power of community-driven change and the limitless potential that exists when we remove barriers and open doors.”

Rylee M. and Aniah C., members of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Parkersburg, participate in a budgeting activity with Consumer Credit Counseling Service of the Mid-Ohio Valley earlier this summer. (Photo Provided)

Reins said it was a testament to the generosity of the community and its support of local youth.

“Thank you to everyone who chooses to roundup their Taco Bell purchase, and I encourage everyone to continue to do so,” Reins said.

Youth at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Parkersburg are provided with evidence-based programming that organizations like Taco Bell Foundation help to provide, such as teen retreat with career-building activities, a visit from a local professional leading activities, creating vision boards or completing a budgeting exercise,

“Our staff is committed to making sure that our teens not only learn these important skills, but have fun while doing so. We can’t thank them enough for all they do, and thank you to everyone in the community for rounding up and making this possible for our Club,” Reins said.