The PepsiCo Foundation and Iraqi Children Foundation Announce Hope Bus Partnership for Education, Nutrition

PepsiCo Foundation and Iraqi Children Foundation Hope Bus Partnership

WASHINGTON, January 24, 2023 (Newswire.com) - In celebration of the International Day of Education, the PepsiCo Foundation and Iraqi Children Foundation announced today a new "Hope Bus" education partnership for at-risk orphans and children living in poverty in Baghdad. The Hope Bus initiative provides vulnerable children in one of Baghdad's poorest neighborhoods with tutoring, nutritious meals, and psycho-social and health support, as well as giving them the experience of the joys of childhood play. 

"We are grateful for the PepsiCo Foundation's investment in this creative, high-impact initiative targeting extremely vulnerable Iraqi children," said ICF Chairman Grant Felgenhauer, Managing Partner at Euphrates Advisors. "Iraq's future depends on this next generation. The work that is done here goes directly into the bloodstream of Iraq and helps lay the foundation for the bright future the Iraqi people deserve."

The PepsiCo Foundation grant to the Iraqi Children Foundation will fund two Hope Buses in Baghdad for 2023. Since the project launched in 2017, 630 children have benefited from tutoring, nutrition, and social services aimed at addressing obstacles to education like extreme poverty, child labor and early marriage.

"The PepsiCo Foundation is a proud partner of Iraqi Children Foundation, which will provide countless benefits to Iraqi children living in extreme poverty. All children should have access to education and the Hope Bus will set these children on the path to reach their full potential," said C.D. Glin, President of the PepsiCo Foundation and Global Head of Philanthropy for PepsiCo. "Beyond education, the Hope Bus will also provide much-needed resources, such as access to nutritious hot meals and clean drinking water, to support their development. The Hope Bus is sure to have a lasting impact on the lives of these children who need it most."

_{ABOUT THE PEPSICO FOUNDATION
Established in 1962, the PepsiCo Foundation, the philanthropic arm of PepsiCo, invests in the essential elements of a sustainable food system with a mission to support thriving communities. Working with non-profits and experts around the globe, we're focused on helping communities obtain access to food security, safe water and economic opportunity. We strive for tangible impact in the places where we live and work—collaborating with industry peers, local and international organizations, and our employees to affect large-scale change on the issues that matter to us and are of global importance. Learn more at www.pepsicofoundation.com. Contact: rona.halabi@pepsico.com.}

_{ABOUT THE IRAQI CHILDREN FOUNDATION
The Iraqi Children Foundation (ICF) intervenes in the lives of children who are at risk of abuse, neglect, and exploitation by criminals, traffickers, and extremists. ICF is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charity (EIN 26-1394773). Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. For more information, visit www.iraqichildren.org. Contact: liz@iraqichildren.org.}