Nando’s PERi-PERi honors Nelson Mandela’s legacy by fighting food insecurity — one meal at a time

This Friday, July 18, Nando’s PERi-PERi — the South African restaurant brand known for its spicy flame-grilled chicken — is inviting guests across the U.S. to turn compassion into action by joining a nationwide food drive in honor of Nelson Mandela Day.

The reward? Good karma and complimentary flame-grilled chicken and chips (aka fries).

From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., all U.S. Nando’s locations, including the location in Dunwoody and the one that opened earlier this year at The Forum in Peachtree Corners, will offer a free ¼ chicken and PERi chips to guests who donate non-perishable food items.

About the cause

Nelson Mandela Day is a global celebration of the life, legacy and activism of South Africa’s beloved leader, Nelson Mandela. Each year on July 18 — Mandela’s birthday — individuals and organizations around the world are encouraged to devote 67 minutes to doing good, symbolizing the 67 years Mandela spent fighting for social justice, equality and human rights.

With deep South African roots and a mission to serve the neighborhoods that its restaurants call home, Nando’s is launching Nando’s Pantry Raid, a community-focused campaign to fight food insecurity in honor Mandela’s vision of unity and compassion.

By simply raiding your pantry for 67 seconds and bringing those non-perishable donations into Nando’s, guests can enjoy a flavorful meal while helping neighbors in need. All food donations collected will be distributed to local food banks and pantries to support families facing hunger.

In metro Atlanta, donations will go to PAWKids, a local nonprofit and community hub that supports Atlanta families with education, wellness and essential resources.

Nando’s Pantry Raid for Mandela Day details

• WHEN: Friday, July 18, 2025 | 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• WHAT: Get a free 1⁄4 chicken and PERi chips in exchange for a non-perishable food donation, which will go to PAWKids.
• WHERE: All Nando’s restaurants across the U.S.
• HOW: Bring in at least one non-perishable food item. Get rewarded with a hot, fresh meal — on Nando’s.

“All it takes is one small act of kindness,” said Sepanta Bagherpour, chief marketing officer at Nando’s PERi-PERi. “This Mandela Day, we encourage everyone to take just 67 seconds to do something good and leave with a full heart and a full plate.”

For more information visit nandosperiperi.com or follow @nandosusa on Instagram.

Like most Americans, the Hajduk family is grateful for the safety and service military personnel provide.

“Veterans causes and military support is something that’s very near and dear to me and [my wife] Cindy personally,” said Andrew Hajduk, owner of Vox-pop-uli, a Peachtree Corners marketing production company. “As parents, and business owners, my family is [tied to the] military.”

Both Hajduk’s father and his older son Daniel, who is also the company’s client development manager, are veterans. Daniel Hajduk served in the Navy. His younger son, Steven is currently serving in the Navy on board the USS Carl Vinson.

“I think that we’ve gotten away from pride in military service and things like that,” said Hajduk. “But now I think it’s coming back.”

With the remnants of the COVID pandemic finally disappearing, he said he’s noticing more companies bringing people back to work.

“Companies are working on their brand and finding their identity, and we really wanted to help them support their causes,” he said. “We live in a great country, and we don’t do nearly enough to recognize these men and women [in the military]. We just wanted to raise awareness for those kids that are out there serving.”

Red Shirt Friday

While Vox-pop-uli was doing business with Aaron’s, it realized the rent-to-own retailer was participating in a national program called “Red Shirt Friday.” It’s a day of recognition for the brave individuals who serve in the military, according to RedShirtFriday.com.

The acronym R.E.D., which stands for Remembering Everyone Deployed (or Remember Everyone Deployed), was created to remind people of the heroes overseas and show that those back home are thinking of them. 

“Now we do Red Shirt Friday, and there are lots of other companies out there that do it,” said Hajduk. “We’ve had people ask us over the years why we’re all wearing red — so we’ve explained it.”

Since the company adds custom designs to just about every type of product, some clients started asking for an American flag to be added to the backs, and sometimes the sleeves, of their custom apparel. That sparked an idea for Vox-pop-uli.

Initiative for local, national veteran support

With clients seeking ways to be a part of the movement, Vox-pop-uli launched a new program in November.

“We’re on a mission to raise $1 million in ten years for veteran support groups,” said Hajduk. “And we found in talking to people that there are a lot of local military support groups out there.”

Called The RED Collection, for every item purchased — from their selection of shirts, jackets, mugs and hats — Vox-pop-uli will donate $5 directly to support veterans. An American flag can also be added to the left sleeve of the garments.

Many smaller veterans groups in communities like Peachtree Corners don’t always have the resources or level of awareness that groups like Wounded Warriors, Tunnel to Towers, the Gary Sinise Foundation and other well-known national charities have.

“They’re all great causes, but we’ve got so many guys in our community that those groups don’t always reach,” said Hajduk.

Helping companies, helping causes

He mentioned a group in South Georgia that’s part of the Wake for Warriors organization. On weekends, volunteers throughout the country take disabled veterans that were wounded in service out onto local lakes for a day of fun and healing.

“They’ve got all the wakeboards and stuff like that equipped for these guys that have lost limbs and things … ,” he said. “We’re trying to help other causes like that.”

Companies are donating a portion of the sales for the “red shirt” products to the charities of their choice. And Vox-pop-uli is donating its profits from those items to military-based nonprofits as well.

“As we’ve done this, we have found there’s a huge calling or need that companies want to find their purpose,” he said.

Once the decision is made to get involved, Vox-pop-uli is there to help companies get started in the process.

Every good cause needs funding  

The idea is so easy for the company to execute that Vox isn’t limiting the help to just giving to military-based services.

“We’re working with people to get involved with their pet projects. No pun intended, but maybe it’s a local animal shelter,” said Hajduk.

He mentioned a company that has a foundation where half of the money goes to scholarships and half of the money goes to disaster relief.

“They’re a nationwide retailer with 330 stores. They have a ton of employees in Florida that last year got rocked with hurricanes,” he said. “They were able to give back to the associates in their member companies to get them back on their feet.”

In that case, the company is branding on the sleeve of the shirt so that it still has the company name on there.

“It’s still great workwear and stuff, but they’re also taking a portion of the sales, and we’re giving on it as well,” said Hajduk. “We had one client present a check to its board of directors of the foundation for $4,800.”

With that one client alone, Vox-pop-uli will probably exceed the goal of raising $1 million in ten years. Hajduk said he’d be happy to modify it.

The Peachtree Corners Business Association (PCBA) awarded a check for $500 to Light Up the Corners at their May 2025 Business After Hours event.

Light Up the Corners, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit, organizes the annual Glow Run and Twilight Trot — a nighttime, community celebration that’s equal parts race, fun run, party and fundraiser.

This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, August 16 at The Forum in Peachtree Corners. The 1K Twilight Trot will start at 8 p.m., and the four-mile Glow Run will begin at 8:30 p.m. After the runners have crossed the finish line, a fun, post-race party will follow.

All proceeds from the Light Up the Corners event go to benefit less fortunate children and families in the community by giving them the chance to participate in life-enhancing programs and activities at the Fowler YMCA. 

A history of charitable donations

PCBA’s donation to Light Up the Corners will help the organization meet its goal of assisting struggling families through their Why It Matters campaign. It’s the latest in a series of donations that PCBA has made over the years through their community outreach program.

“We are so proud that the PCBA has awarded 20 scholarships to outstanding future business leaders and donated in excess of $173,500 into our metro Atlanta community over the last 13 years,” said Lisa Proctor, PCBA board president.

Funds for PCBA’s community outreach program are raised throughout the year from PCBA membership, sponsorships and Tailgates and Touchdowns, an annual charity event they hold each August. Donations and scholarships are awarded at their Business After Hours events so that their members have the opportunity to learn more about the community organizations.

About Peachtree Corners Business Association

The Peachtree Corners Business Association is a business membership organization that focuses on innovative approaches, programs, shared resources, community outreach and opportunities for member businesses and professionals to connect, develop, grow and prosper.  

The PCBA is made up of businesses of all sizes and types that want to expand their reach and grow their business within Peachtree Corners and the greater metro Atlanta area. 

For more information call 678-969-3385, email membership@peachtreecornersba.com or visit peachtreecornersba.com.