Pepsi brings its Stronger Together message to Super Bowl LV

As Tampa prepares for Super Bowl LV, Pepsi Stronger Together gives back to the community.

While the world watches Super Bowl LV, Pepsi wants to impact the local community long after the victory cheers fade into memory. Through the Pepsi Stronger Together initiative, the Tampa community will receive assistance to help them flourish beyond the game.

According to Derek Lewis, President, South Division, PepsiCo Beverages North America, “When we launched Pepsi Stronger Together, we aimed to give back to communities around the country while inspiring people in those communities to take action.” As seen with many of the brand’s programming in the past year, the focus has been on the community. While new products often get the buzz, it is the people and businesses behind those items that make a connection.

Lewis said, “We have seen an incredible response in cities from Miami to Memphis, Louisville to Washington, D.C. – from a charitable food drive, a community basketball court refurbishment, to mentorship programs with local universities – and we are thrilled to be able to give back to the Tampa Bay community during a time of such cultural importance, the Super Bowl.”

Starting now, Pepsi is bringing that Stronger Together concept to the Tampa area. From working with community leaders to fostering environmental projects, the hope is to bring excitement and attention to the local are beyond the plays during the game.

One large component of this program focuses on the Tampa restaurant community. With help from the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF), bay-area restaurants will be part of a $100,000 grant. During the Shaquille O’Neal “Shaq Bowl” restaurant challenge, various Tampa area restaurants will receive $10,000 grants.

During a normal Super Bowl celebration, the local restaurant community often sees a boost. As many people have come to appreciate this year, the restaurant industry has been extremely hard hit. From limited service capacity to changing their business model, restaurants have struggled.

Rob Gifford, president, NRAEF, said “(Restaurants and their employees) have faced tremendous challenges due to the pandemic and were hoping the Super Bowl would be a way to make up for lost business. With Pepsi, one of the Foundation’s largest donors, we are working together to help them get back on their feet.”

While people are often the face of these initiatives, Pepsi understands that the environment impacts every aspect of people’s lives. In conjunction with NFL Green Week, Pepsi Stronger Together will support “Force Blue hosting Dive55, a beach and ocean clean-up day in Anna Maria, Florida.” The event will help to clean Spanish Rocks Reed.

“Force Blue is proud to be able to work with the NFL, Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee and Pepsi leading up to Super Bowl LV to bring attention to, and take action for, one of the biggest problems our oceans face today – the rapidly declining health of our coral reefs and coastal habitats,” said Jim Ritterhoff, Force Blue’s Executive Director and Co-Founder.

These programs show that the Super Bowl is more than just amazing plays on the field and a memorable halftime show. The impact that the event can have on the local community is far reaching. This year, Pepsi is committed make that positive impact on the Tampa Bay area.

What are you doing to help your local community? Do you know of an organization that needs to highlighted?