McDonald’s Nutrition Network to offer funding to local non-profits

Non-profit organizations in Malverne and West Hempstead now have an opportunity to secure seed funding for nutrition-based programs.

McDonald's New York Tri-State Area restaurants launched a new localized outreach initiative - McDonald's Nutrition Network - on March 28. The initiative, according to Andre Smith Jr., an account coordinator for McDonald's owners in the New York Tri-State Area, is meant to provide funding to select organizations that bring nutrition programs and awareness to the communities they serve.

"New York Tri-State owners and operators, they came together and put money aside to award community organizations for them to start nutrition programs," he said, "or, to improve upon existing ones."

Smith Jr. said that this is the first year the program is being held. "McDonald's has always been deeply rooted in the community," he said, "and this program is focused on small communities, and giving back on the local level."

Anthony Liedtke, a local McDonald's owner of 25 years who has establishments in both Long Beach and Hicksville, said that a total of $25,000 is up for grabs. That total, he said, will be divided among five organizations, which will be chosen by a selection committee.  

"And funding is coming from individual owner-operators," Liedtke said. "This is for the Tri-State Area only. But the more people you get involved, that's another opportunity to help people educate other people on nutrition.

If this program works," he added, "and I'd say yes, it will, you'd see funds increase [in the future]. You'd see this grow."

Smith Jr. added: "They're giving back to the people that support their business," he said. "All non-profits are encouraged to apply."

The deadline for organizations to apply is June 1. For more information on how to apply, visit www.McDNYMetroNutritionNetwork.com.