Last updated on October 12th, 2022
Plano, Texas-based Frito-Lay has announced a partnership with LULAC National Educational Service Centers Inc. to support a digital literacy program and improve the technological abilities of Latino families in eight markets this year.
The program will create learning environments for parents and children of disadvantaged households through skills, resources and tools needed for digital literacy.
According to a national survey conducted by Morning Consult and Frito-Lay, nearly half of Hispanic households include at least one member who is not digitally literate, defined as the ability to find, evaluate and communicate information online. Additionally, about half of all Hispanics nationally say increased digital literacy and technology access would make life easier, and first-generation Hispanics in particular believe it would lead to better job opportunities.
More than 70 percent of those surveyed reported that the need for online technology has increased in the past two years and even more for first-generation Hispanics. According to the survey, three in four first-generation Hispanic adults say they are likely to participate in a free digital literacy education program.
“Frito-Lay is committed to supporting our Hispanic communities to lead better lives, and part of that is showing up where our communities need us most,” said Aminta Price, regional VP of sales, Frito-Lay West division, and Hispanic employee resource group national chair. “Every family should have the resources and opportunity to not only complete basic tasks in today’s digital world, but to use technology to help achieve success.”
The new program with LNESC represents an investment of nearly $250,000 and will benefit 240 families wanting to learn how to use laptops, video conferencing and online tools. It will also offer at-risk students from Dallas, Los Angeles, Houston, San Antonio, Topeka, District of Columbia, Atlanta and Vancouver, an opportunity to participate in a 12-hour program. Beneficiaries will gain more experience in using technology and learn how to leverage new skills and resources to help students be more successful in school.
“As the coordinator for the PUENTES program, I am excited to bring this much needed service to support families. It is vital to provide workshops on digital literacy to low-income, immigrant, Spanish-speaking communities because they are often left behind to learn skills that are essential to thrive in today’s society,” said Andrea Zamora, interim director at LNESC Oxnard.
“We work to bridge the gap on this divide and uplift families to incorporate online resources to not only support themselves but also their student’s educational journey. We are extremely grateful to partner with Frito-Lay whose values of helping the communities they call home align so strongly with our own.”
For more information about Frito-Lay, visit fritolay.com.
