Event celebrates partnership benefiting Boys & Girls Clubs of America with $250,000 donation and exclusive co-branded products
Family Dollar and The Hershey Company are partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to host a back-to-school community block party in Chicago, celebrating a major investment in youth programs and resources.
The event will take place Wednesday, July 29, from 10:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. at the Union League Boys & Girls Clubs’ Miguel A. Baretto Club, located at 1214 N. Washtenaw Ave.
The celebration will include a check presentation tied to a $250,000 donation supporting Boys & Girls Clubs of America, along with family-friendly activities, games, a community resource fair, and school supply giveaways to help children and families prepare for the upcoming school year.
The partnership also marks the launch of Hershey’s first-ever Boys & Girls Clubs of America-branded king-size HERSHEY’S, KIT KAT® and REESE’S bars, which will be sold exclusively at Family Dollar stores.
Speakers and attendees will include representatives from Hershey, Family Dollar, and Boys & Girls Clubs of America, as well as Chicago Alderman Jesse Fuentes. More than 150 Boys & Girls Club members are expected to attend.
Organizers say the initiative comes at a critical time, as many children face barriers such as food insecurity and lack of access to safe, supportive spaces outside of school. The partnership aims to expand resources and opportunities for youth, helping them build skills, stay on track academically, and prepare for future success.
WHEN: Wednesday, July 29, 2026, 10:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
WHERE: Union League Boys & Girls Clubs, Miguel A. Baretto Club, 1214 N. Washtenaw Ave., Chicago, Ill., 60622
WHO:
- Katrina Briddell, Head of Corporate Philanthropy & Social Impact, The Hershey Company
- Jeff Morton, Sr. CSE Family Dollar Team. The Hershey Company
- Melissa Tedila, Corporate Giving, Family Dollar
- Boys & Girls Clubs of America representatives
- Alderman Jesse Fuentes
- Over 150 Boys & Girls Club Kids
WHY IT MATTERS: As the new school year begins, many kids face a difficult reality on their first day. 1-in-8 kids in the United States experiences food insecurity, millions are without a safe place to go before and after school, and many are struggling to stay on track to graduate. Kids rely on Boys & Girls Clubs to help them develop skills that will lead to graduation and future employment. This partnership between Family Dollar and The Hershey Company helps ensure youth have access to the resources and opportunities that Boys & Girls Clubs provide, preparing them for the school year ahead and putting them on the path to great futures.
