Cayleigh Bland
Jackson State University
Frisco, TX
"This generosity will not only provide me the resources to complete my education but also allow me to continue working towards building and encouraging my community. Thank you so much for this incredible gift that will allow me to see out the dreams I have had since a child of completing education in engineering."
Jed Tan
NC State University
Cary, NC
"I am incredibly grateful to be receiving this scholarship as this opportunity will enable me to not only pursue my studies in business administration, but have the financial stability to explore creative endeavors related to my field of study."
Aran Glynn
Babson College
Bronx, NY
"Thank you so much for your decision in choosing me as one of the scholarship recipients! I know that with your help I can create even bigger goals, not just for myself but for the other minority + LGBTQ+ students who grew up like me and needed the extra help and support."
Kianna Armstrong
Univ. of Southnern California
Solon, OH
"Denny's was always the place for our family to rest, gather and be together. As a military family who moved every 3 years, comfort and consistency became valuable. Denny's was always a consistent and comfortable space to rest, and have lunch and a milkshake between long car trips."
Betsy Ruiz Santiago
Univ of Hawaii at Hilo
Kealekekua, HI
"One of the things could be having a United Day. It would be held over the day and include one free item off the menu for the kids with disabilities. Denny’s could have families with disabled family members come in and have a conversation with different families to acknowledge that they are not alone with their disability."
John Tom Geraci
Merimack College
Newton, MA
"While many other large businesses have at least some charitable involvement, Denny’s goes the extra mile by explicitly weaving its commitment to the communities it serves right into its mission statement and prominently featuring it on its website and within its restaurants. "
Hadley Kronick
Wellesley College
Baton Rogue, LA
"Denny's is an organization that services people all throughout the U.S. Since they are known on a wide scale, they are capable of making a change bringing communities together. They can do this by holding events where different types of ethnicities and people from communities nearby can participate, especially the youth. "
Ashlynn Fortenberry
USC Upstate
Inman, SC
"Another way to bring communities together is supporting the youth of the community. Offering and or sponsoring programs that can benefit youth like donating money or food to schools or showing up to school events like career fairs to promote Denny’s and to give out coupons to make them intrigued to come in the first place. "
Grace Black
USC Upstate
Florence, SC
"Denny’s can bring communities together by hosting family weekends at the restaurant. This will allow people in the community to come out, enjoy a meal with their families, and meet new people. During these family weekends, there should be good music and games to be played in the restaurants as the customers wait on their food to be served."
Jervaris Rice
USC Upstate
Spartanburg, SC
"Denny’s can also start building trust by connecting with community, health, education, youth, and religious leaders, social and environmental groups, and local role models. Obtaining the approval of both official and informal leaders may facilitate talks with much bigger groups within the community. This inclusion and participation of the greater community is critical."
Nyree McCollum
Western Illinois University
River Forest, IL
"Denny's can help bring communities together by continuing to be involved in all the communities. Reaching out to all communities by being involved on a more personal level. Like having designated volunteers in different communities and would be considered a spokesperson for that area. "
Jaelyn Williams
Texas Southern University
Houston, TX
"Denny’s can bring the communities together by hosting a mental health night at their locations. At the mental health night, employees and the community will benefit greatly from this event. Denny's could invite local therapists, psychologists, and mental health professionals to come out."
Miguel Jimenz
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL
"If Denny partners or sponsors LGBTQ, Black Lives Matter, Hispanic/Latino, Asian organizations this can bring awareness to communities. When we build awareness, we are also creating a community. To raise awareness in efforts to bring the community together it simply starts by sponsoring a run. "
Karen Gonzalez
University of AZ
El Centro, CA
"Denny’s can bring communities together by doing what it does best and that's getting families together and providing great inexpensive meals. Denny’s can bring communities not only together but closer to one another."
Daniel Candia
Pasadena City of College
El Monte, CA
"With Denny's, I believe there are countless possibilities to be offered to bring back the sense of community that was stripped away during the lockdown. One simple solution would be to donate excess food that would otherwise be thrown out at the end of the night.."
John San Nicolas
The Univeristy of NM
Albuquerque, NM
"It did take me some time to understand the power of the community I now serve. A society that can share honest feedback and allows you to shine. Being able to contribute makes a difference, helps us see what we cannot see, and share different life perspectives while working together."
Autumn Hasty
North Carolina Central
Atlanta, GA
"Giving back to hospitals as well could be a good way to build community. When Denny’s gives back to hospitals this can be put into getting better equipment, better waiting rooms and etc. Some hospitals lack new technology as well so this would be a huge help. Hospital food usually isn’t the best but Denny's food could help that and make the patients feel good when it is time to eat their meals. "
Jamie Carter
Tennessee State Univ
Miami Gardens, FL
"I believe Denny's could bring the community together through education. Education is a critical component in the establishment of a community. When people are unable to communicate, it can be challenging to develop solid trust and rapport. Education assists in removing barriers and fostering comprehension among different cultures, races, religions, and so on. It can also help people find jobs or make more money because they have the skills that employers require."
Shawn St. Romain
Prairie View Univ
Angleton, TX
"I believe that Denny’s could host a voter registration drive, but to bring people out to the voter registration drive they could have the Houston food bank come and give away food. Free food always brings a crowd, which would be a good way of helping those that need the food. Another idea would be to host different organizations within the community at their local stores. Those different organizations could be LULAC, the local NAACP, and LGBTQ, to name a few. "
