Applebee’s restaurants marked the start of their national partnership
with The Mission Continues, a national veterans service organization, by
joining military veterans from The Mission Continues’ Washington, D.C.,
Service Platoon with a service project in Washington, D.C., on Saturday,
Oct. 26.
Applebee's Senior Vice President of Operations Steve Layt (far right) and Spencer Kympton, President of The Mission Continues (middle in white long sleeves), helped a group of 60 volunteers harvest 1,000 servings of produce from a local orchard in Beltsville, Md., that will yield more than 45,000 pounds of food annually for local residents. The project supported Bread for the City, a local nonprofit that provides food to vulnerable residents in Washington, D.C. The project marked the inaugural event for The Mission Continues' Washington, D.C., Service Platoon's mission: fighting malnutrition and obesity in the nation's capital. (Photo: Business Wire)
Applebee’s Senior Vice President of Operations Steve Layt, Team Members
from Applebee’s franchisee Potomac Family Dining and The Mission
Continues veterans worked with community volunteers – a group of 60
volunteers – to harvest 1,000 servings of produce from a local orchard
that will yield more than 45,000 pounds of food annually for local
residents. The project supported Bread for the City, a local nonprofit
that provides food to vulnerable residents in Washington, D.C.
The service project marked the inaugural event for the Washington, D.C.,
Service Platoon’s mission: fighting malnutrition and obesity in the
nation’s capital. Applebee’s and The Mission Continues will continue to
support Bread for the City with additional efforts throughout 2014.
The Mission Continues empowers veterans to serve their country in new
ways through two action-oriented programs. First, The Mission Continues
Fellowship harnesses veterans’ strengths, skills and compassion and
empowers them to serve in their community on a daily basis over the
course of six months. The second, The Mission Continues Service Platoons
brings together teams of veterans with local community organizations and
volunteers to build stronger communities. Platoons organize monthly
service events to address these challenges and have a positive, lasting
impact on their communities.
“Many veterans recognize a need in the communities they call home,” said
Spencer Kympton, U.S. Army veteran and President of The Mission
Continues. “Today's project demonstrates how they can come together in
teams to address those needs. We are excited to have Applebee’s serving
alongside us at this inaugural mission in Washington, D.C., and
also grateful for their nationwide support.”
Applebee’s restaurants across the country will host rally events and
generate awareness for veterans serving in their local communities
through The Mission Continues. Fellows and veterans of The Mission
Continues fellowship program will be participating in Veterans Day
events with their local Applebee’s, and in early November, Applebee’s
franchisee Southern River Restaurants/Mid River Restaurants in St. Louis
will host approximately 40 Mission Continues fellows and program alumni
from around the country for a dinner to kick off a special veterans
leadership training event.
“It was an honor to work beside veterans who served our country,” said
Layt. “Each year, Applebee’s says Thank You to veterans and active duty
servicemembers with free meals on Veterans Day and collects messages of
appreciation for veterans and active duty servicemembers year-round
through the Thank You Movement. We’re honored to begin this new
partnership with The Mission Continues to support veterans as they
continue to serve our country in their neighborhoods here at home.”
In addition to Washington, D.C., Applebee’s will support Mission
Continues projects with kickoff events in Orlando, Phoenix, Los Angeles
and San Diego later this year.
In 2014, The Mission Continues will award nearly 300 fellowships to post
9/11 veterans who are committing to serve their local communities as
they transition home. Additionally, more platoons will launch across the
country by the end of 2014. To get involved, apply for a fellowship or
pledge support, visit www.missioncontinues.org/get-involved.
Applebee’s Thank You Movement
Since creating the Thank You Movement in 2011 to collect messages of
appreciation for each of the 24 million current and former members of
our Armed Forces, Applebee’s has received more than 4.5 million personal
Thank You messages through the Thank You Movement website: www.thankyoumovement.com.
Applebee’s Thank You Meals
Applebee’s will continue its annual tradition of serving free meals to
current and former servicemembers on Veterans Day. On Monday, Nov. 11,
veterans and active duty military can choose from a free Thank You Meal
menu that includes some of Applebee’s signature and favorite items.
About Applebee's International, Inc.
Applebee’s (www.applebees.com)
is the world’s largest casual dining chain, with approximately 2,000
locations in 49 states, 15 countries and one U.S. territory. Based in
Kansas City, Mo., Applebee’s takes pride in providing a welcoming,
neighborhood environment where everyone can enjoy the dining experience.
Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar® is a DineEquity, Inc. (NYSE: DIN)
brand, and is franchised and operated by Applebee’s International, Inc.
and its affiliates.
About The Mission Continues
The Mission Continues is a national nonprofit organization that empowers
veterans to serve their country in new ways through two innovative and
action-oriented programs. The first, The Mission Continues Fellowship
harnesses veterans’ strengths, skills and compassion and empowers them
to serve in their community on a daily basis over the course of six
months. The second, The Mission Continues Service Platoons brings
together teams of veterans with local community organizations and
volunteers to build stronger communities. The Mission Continues has
helped thousands of post-9/11 veterans focus their talents and energy to
tackle challenges facing us right here at home. Through a unique model
that provides reciprocal benefit for the veteran and the local
community, veterans volunteer to help others and, through their service,
build new skills that help them launch their civilian career. To learn
more, visit: www.missioncontinues.org
or follow the organization on Twitter @missioncontinue.
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