The Boys and Girls Club of Gallup, a non-profit organization, recently received a boost for their efforts to help local children build positive relationships, develop attitudes and behaviors to succeed in school, and get ready for careers, according to their website.

High Desert QSRs, which operates numerous restaurants across the Four Corners region, presented a check of over $5,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of Gallup Aug. 14. The funds come through the Taco Bell Foundation Round Up Program, which aims to help young people across the nation pursue educational dreams, according to their website.

Marisa Hutchinson, CEO of Boys and Girls Club expressed sheer gratitude for the award. “I was pretty excited, and happy to get that community support from the business,” she said. Mr. [James] Rich has always been such a great supporter of Boys and Girls Club of Gallup.”

James Rich, franchise owner of High Desert QSRs, said his company enjoys giving back to Boys and Girls Club in the form of the  annual foundation scholarships and grants. We’re very proud to support them,” he said.

Rich said the contributions of the Taco Bell Foundation allow High Desert to continue supporting the local community, and it is very important they stay active with non-profits.

“We see the demand. We see the need to support the efforts of Boys and Girls Club,” Rich said.

Hutchinson said the grant funds will be used to continue some of the Boys and Girls Club’s programs, including opioid prevention, alcohol prevention, homework help, riding bicycles, science, arts and crafts, and financial literacy. The end goal is to help local youth become responsible citizens and give back to their community.

“[The grant] is going to help us continue to give to these kids through these excellent programs,” she said.

By Cody Begaye
Sun Correspondent