JOPLIN, Mo. – The Boys & Girls Club of Southwest Missouri received a $15,670 grant from the Taco Bell foundation Wednesday. The funds will be used to support more than 1,500 youth in the Joplin and Webb City communities.

The Boys & Girls Club will  put the money toward career/college prep sessions, mentoring, providing resources and other programs that educate and inspire that next generation of leaders.

“We are honored to partner with the Taco Bell Foundation in championing the educational dreams of our young people,” said Amia Warren, Development Director of Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Missouri. “The vision we share with the Taco Bell Foundation is one in which every young person has access to quality education and the resources they need to create good.”

Boys & Girls Club of Southwest Missouri is one of more than 400+ youth-serving organizations that will receive a portion of the $10 million in grants being presented by the Taco Bell Foundation this year. The grants are an example of the Taco Bell Foundation’s mission to fuel young people’s boldest educational ambitions.

“We are proud to support like-minded organizations through our Local Grants Program,” said Jennifer Bradbury, Interim Executive Director of the Taco Bell Foundation. “Together with these organizations, we work to break down barriers so students nationwide can continue creating and innovating. This $10 million is going back to those in our local communities who are most hungry to learn.”