Rapper/Actor Mark Wahlberg has partnered with Taco Bell in support of the Taco Bell Foundation For Teens, a “multi-year initiative to raise awareness of the United States’ high-school graduation crisis and fund real-world experiences that are proven to help teens graduate.”
In a video posted to the foundation’s website, Wahlberg says that just $1 can make a difference in a teen’s life, and that makes sense. A dollar can buy a taco, and teens love tacos. Everyone does. I’m not sure exactly the mechanics of it, but I imagine an effective strategy for the foundation would be to have high-school graduates hand out tacos to at-risk teens and be like, “Hey, I bought you this taco, but I could only afford this taco because I graduated high school, so, you know, heads up. You want to keep eating good, you’re gonna need to hit the books.”
In all seriousness, I had no idea this country was enduring a dropout epidemic, and I worked in a high school for two years. And education is, ahh, what’s that word… good.
And what better way to reach at-risk youth than Taco Bell? Plenty, actually: Any other fast-food restaurant would be a good start, since kids discerning enough to eat at Taco Bell probably already recognize the value of education.
Still, if anyone needs proof, check this out. I’m about to break you off a few ideas:
Magma Gordita Crunch: Warm, pillowy flatbread layered with melted three-cheese blend and stuffed with crunchy red taco shell filled with seasoned ground beef, crisp shredded lettuce, real cheddar cheese and topped off with cheesy molten hot lava sauce.
Bacon Cheeseburger Burrito: A warm, soft flour tortilla loaded seasoned ground beef, warm nacho cheese sauce, crispy flavorful bacon, tangy red sauce and crunchy red strips.
TexiMelt: A warm, soft, flour tortilla wrapped around seasoned ground beef, three melted cheeses — cheddar, pepper jack and mozzarella — and creamy pepper jack sauce, then melted to perfection.
You know how I got those ideas? I JUST MADE THEM UP! You know how I have the capacity for that type of creativity? Education, baby. I’m a damn master of the arts, and because of that I can think up new Taco Bell menu items off the top of my head. Stay in school, kids and maybe one day you’ll ascend to America’s ultimate occupation: Taco Bell Executive Chef.
To donate to the Taco Bell Foundation For Teens, click here or donate at participating Taco Bell restaurants through June 15. No word on why some Taco Bell restaurants wouldn’t participate, or why they’ll stop taking donations on June 16.
Tedquarters 
I donated a dollar on two separate visits with different results: the first time I donated, I received a coupon for a free taco. The second time I donated, I did not receive a coupon.
I’m still pretty excited about that first coupon, tho.
Whoa. If you donate a dollar and get a coupon for an 89-cent taco back in return, you’re really only giving up like a nickel, after tax. And presumably the charity gets that full dollar. Pretty much a win-win-win; you get a taco and the satisfaction of knowing you’re eating it for a good cause, the foundation gets a dollar, and Taco Bell always wins.