For the past 20 years, The Kickin' Chicken has been committed to giving back to local schools. As part of this mission, the restaurant group began celebrating national Teacher Appreciation Month in 2012 by providing complimentary meals to faculty as a way to say thank you for their service. In the past six years, the program has grown from feeding 300 teachers during the month to 1,000 in 2017.
From May 1st – June 5th 2017, teachers, faculty, administrators and staff at the following schools were served a complimentary meal at their school from The Kickin' Chicken:
- AC Corcoran Elementary School (North Charleston)
- First Baptist School of Charleston (Downtown)
- Garrett Academy of Technology (North Charleston)
- Harbor View Elementary School (James Island)
- James Island Charter High School (James Island)
- Mamie P. Whitesides Elementary School (Mount Pleasant)
- Memminger Elementary School (Downtown)
- Moultrie Middle School (Mount Pleasant)
- Orange Grove Charter School (West Ashley)
- Sangaree Elementary School (Summerville)
- Simmons Pinckney Middle School (Downtown)
Since the teacher appreciation partnership began, The Kickin' Chicken has worked with 40 schools, fed more than 3,000 teachers and donated more than 21,000 chicken nuggets.
“One of the best things we can do as a company is show our appreciation to those who sacrifice so much for our children,” said Bobby Perry, co-owner of Kickin’ Chicken. “Thanks to our customers and staff, we were able to feed more than 1,000 teachers at 11 different schools this year. My partners, Chip Roberts and David Miller, and I consider it an honor to give back to the community who has given us so much. It also helps me feel better about the spit-ball incident of freshman year in high school. Thank you teachers.”
Currently, The Kickin' Chicken has seven schools that they work with in a year-round capacity by hosting spirit nights, donating its food truck, or providing free nuggets to students on the honor roll. In addition, The Kickin' Chicken will kick-off a fundraiser in July for the Teacher's Supply Closet at all five of its restaurant locations.
“James Island Charter High School (JICHS) appreciates The Kickin' Chicken showing us love all school year,” said Erin Brandon, M.Ed., NCC, 9th Grade Guidance Counselor & Graduation Group A-Me, JICHS. “From various fundraisers for the community to our incentive parties for our students, and then again during Teacher Appreciation week this year, we are so grateful to call Kickin' Chicken part of the JICHS family!”
The Kickin' Chicken's education mission is an extension of its restaurant focus on commitment, customer and community.
“We are committed to making a difference by charitable giving with active participation,” said Bobby Perry, co-owner. “We are investing in our community and its future.”
For more information on how your school can get involved, visit www.kickinchicken.com or email Sydney Ferrara at sferrara@kickinchicken.com.
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Editor’s Note – This was an unedited press release
