CHILDREN’S HUNGER

When kids have proper nutrition, they can play more, learn better, and have the energy to just be kids – that’s why the Joy in Childhood Foundation is focused on ensuring kids have enough to eat at school and at home. The Foundation gives grants to hundreds of local hunger relief organizations across the country every year, and since 2007, has provided more than $3.5 million to national partner Feeding America®, to fund BackPack programs, Kids Cafes and other initiatives to combat childhood hunger around the country. 

Dunkin’ Brands franchisees, crew members and brand employees also volunteer in food banks across the country. In 2017, we hosted our fourth Week of Joy during which 2,220 volunteers packed more than 350,000 meals for children and families at 85 Feeding America partner food banks and local hunger relief organizations nationwide.

CHILDREN’S HEALTH

When children face health issues, it robs them of the simple joys of childhood. The Joy in Childhood Foundation’s goal is to help kids feel like kids, even on their most difficult days. The Foundation provides grants to hundreds of children’s hospitals and local organizations focused on providing joy to kids – from child life specialists to play, music and art therapy programs, to birthday parties for hospitalized kids and more. 

At a national level, in 2017 and 2018 the Joy in Childhood Foundation partnered with Starlight Children’s Foundation to provide Starlight Gowns – high-quality, comfortable hospital gowns in fun, cheerful designs – to pediatric patients and build Starlight Sites in hospitals around the country. Starlight Sites are bright, kid-friendly spaces that bring joy to children in hospitals, including teen lounges, therapy kitchens, healing gardens and more.

DOGS FOR JOY

In 2018, the Foundation launched Dogs for Joy, a national in-residence facility dog program that aims to increase the number of service dogs who work full-time in children’s hospitals. In-residence dogs provide comfort and joy to pediatric patients, but can also play a key role in their therapeutic care. With the launch of “Dogs for Joy”, the Foundation adopted its own in-residence dog, Cooper Dunkin’, who serves as Chief Joy Officer and the “Dogs for Joy” program ambassador.