Taco Bell® and Its @FeedtheBeat Artists to Help End World Hunger

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Taco Bell® Feed the Beat® artists are not only passionate about tacos, but also about using their voices for good to raise awareness and donations to end world hunger. Starting today through Oct. 18, the Feed the Beat program – which supports up-and-coming artists – is partnering with @TacoBell to spread the word about World Hunger Relief, the world’s largest private sector hunger relief effort benefiting the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), and other hunger relief agencies.

“We appreciate how these artists encourage others to spread the word about how everyone can make a difference.”

Fans can join the cause by replying with the word “donate” to @TacoBell World Hunger Relief tweets or their favorite Feed the Beat artists’ retweets. They will then be sent a link to register and make their donations via the e-commerce platform Chirpify. Every U.S. dollar raised will go directly to World Hunger Relief to support WFP's operations to fight hunger around the world. Current and alumni Feed the Beat (@FeedtheBeat) artists lending their support include Andrew W.K. (@AndrewWK), Dillon Francis (@DILLONFRANCIS) and Travie McCoy (@TravieMcCoy). Fans are also encouraged to be part of the conversation with @TacoBell to help save lives and move from #hungertohope.

“I'm passionate about everything I do, especially when it comes to feeding my hunger and the hunger of others! I'm honored that one of my all time favorite restaurants, Taco Bell, has called upon me to serve as one of their Feed the Beat ‘headliners,’ supporting the World Hunger Relief movement. Together, we'll continue to bridge the gap between hunger and hope, with awesome food and the spirit of uniting our world through fun, flavor and partying,” said Andrew W.K., professional partier and entertainer.

Consumers can support the World Hunger Relief effort through the @TacoBell campaign or by donating at a participating Taco Bell® restaurant (no purchase necessary). One U.S. dollar provides four meals for hungry children.

Additionally, on Oct. 15, Andrew W.K. will host the Conflict of Interest concert event sponsored by Taco Bell in New York City prior to the CMJ 2012 Music Marathon. Taco Bell will make a donation on behalf of the attendees for World Hunger Relief.

“Taco Bell is grateful for the generosity of our customers, fans, and the artists from the Feed the Beat program who continue to support such a meaningful cause,” said Greg Creed, CEO, Taco Bell Corp. “We appreciate how these artists encourage others to spread the word about how everyone can make a difference.”

More on World Hunger Relief

There are nearly 1 billion hungry people around the world today. Hunger and malnutrition are the number one risk to health worldwide – greater than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined. Yum! Brands’ World Hunger Relief effort is the world’s largest private sector hunger relief initiative, spanning more than 120 countries and nearly 38,000 Taco Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut restaurants worldwide. The campaign raises awareness, volunteerism and funds for WFP and other hunger relief agencies.

Since Yum! Brands' World Hunger Relief launched in 2007, more than 1 million of the Company's employees, franchisees and their families have volunteered millions of hours to aid hunger relief efforts in communities worldwide. The effort has raised $115 million for WFP and other hunger relief organizations, and is helping to provide 460 million meals and save the lives of millions of people in remote corners of the world. For more information on World Hunger Relief, visit FromHungertoHope.com.

More on Taco Bell’s Feed the Beat® Program

Feed the Beat began as an organic effort to help feed up-and-coming artists by giving them free Taco Bell food on tour. The program continues with the same organic roots, still feeding Feed the Beat artists on tour with Taco Bell, but has since expanded to leverage the brand’s relationships with its network partners and sponsorships, as well as provide support through Taco Bell’s television advertising and strong online presence – a crowd of more than nine million fans. With Feed the Beat’s expansion to various genres of music, there is an artist and sound for nearly everyone to enjoy.

Fans and interested artists can head to www.feedthebeat.com for more information and to find more about the full list of 2012 Feed the Beat artists and alumni, as well as follow along with their involvement in the program on Twitter @FeedtheBeat. Previous Feed the Beat artists include: Andrew W.K., Cobra Starship, Gym Class Heroes, Girl Talk, Passion Pit, Best Coast, Walk The Moon, Fun., Young The Giant, Portugal. The Man, Wavves, Dr. Dog and more.

About Taco Bell Corp.

Taco Bell Corp., a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., (NYSE: YUM), is the nation's leading Mexican-inspired quick service restaurant. Taco Bell serves made to order and customizable tacos, burritos, and specialties such as the exclusive Doritos® Locos Tacos, gourmet inspired Cantina Bell™ Menu and lower calorie Fresco Menu. The company encourages customers to “Live Más,” both through its food and in ways such as its Feed the Beat® music program and nonprofit organization, the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens. Taco Bell employs more than 150,000 team members in nearly 6,000 restaurants across the United States, and has more than 350 franchise organizations that proudly serve more than 36 million customers every week.