Make a Biggie Difference For National Foster Care Month

Yes, you scan! Wendy's® fans are invited to 'Make a Biggie™ Difference' in partnership with Coca-Cola® and Keurig Dr Pepper® this May in honor of National Foster Care Month. Each simple scan of the QR code located on select Wendy's cups* automatically unlock a $5 donation** from Wendy’s to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption® to help the Foundation find forever families for children waiting in foster care, up to a $500,000 donation from the campaign. It really is that easy to support. A simple scan can make a biggie difference.

Wendy’s® continues its longstanding commitment to increase the number of adoptions of children waiting in North America’s foster care systems. Today, there are more than 108,000 children who live in foster homes in the U.S. and Canada, and Wendy’s is making it easier than ever to Make a Biggie Difference in finding children loving, forever homes. 

Wendy’s Supports Foster Care Adoption  

We are proud of our franchisees, employees, and customers, who have made a difference in the lives of children in foster care through our annual fundraising campaigns. Wendy’s and its customers have raised more than $343 million to support the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption® in the shared focus of finding forever homes for thousands of children waiting in North America’s foster care systems.  

In fact, in 2024 alone, we delivered record-breaking in-restaurant fundraising campaigns to support the Foundation. Through our 2024 Make a Biggie Difference, coin canister collection, Boo! Books, and Frosty Key Tag initiatives, we raised more than $23 million to benefit the Foundation, a record breaking year! 

Make a Biggie Difference this May  

“The unwavering support of Wendy’s, from restaurant teams to franchisees and customers, continues to transform the lives of children lingering in foster care,” said Rita Soronen, President & CEO of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. “Because of this innovative partnership, more young people can hold on to the hope of a permanent, loving family and the stability they deserve. Together, we are making a biggie difference — one child at a time.” 

Serving Children Who Have Been in Foster Care the Longest  

Through programs like Make a Biggie Difference, Wendy’s and our partners support the Foundation’s national awareness campaigns and life-changing programs, including Wendy’s Wonderful Kids®. Wendy’s Wonderful Kids adoption professionals are dedicated to finding permanent families for children in foster care who are most often overlooked. They implement an evidence-based, child-focused recruitment model to find the right family for every child and work with smaller caseloads of 12–15 children to ensure that each child receives the time, resources and support they deserve. Through Wendy’s Wonderful Kids program, more than 15,000 children now have permanent families across the United States and Canada. 

Wendy’s Wonderful Kids at Work  

Donations from Wendy’s efforts like Make a Biggie Difference supported the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and their Wendy’s Wonderful Kids team in finding loving homes for children like Kyleigh and Willie. Kyleigh was adopted at age 14 after spending two years in foster care. She was placed in care after her biological father passed away and her stepmother was unable to care for her. Watch the video to learn how the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids program helped create a space for Kyleigh to navigate her transition and empower Brittany to step into motherhood.

Willie was 11 when he was placed in foster care due to abuse and neglect. Willie first met Geoff and Stefanie through a mentorship program and quickly, his Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption recruiter, approached the family about adopting Willie. Today, Willie is thriving on the football team, playing golf with his dad and in Navy Jr. ROTC.  Watch to learn how the Foundation and Wendy’s Wonderful Kids helps youths like Willie build brighter futures.