Jared Fogle attends the premiere of Disney’s “Muppets Most Wanted” at the El Capitan Theatre on March 11, 2014 in Hollywood. (Getty)
The Jared Foundation is a charity founded by Subway spokesman Jared Fogle to combat, and raise awareness about, childhood obesity.
Fogle, who lost more than 200 pounds on a diet centered around Subway’s sandwiches, had his Indiana home raided Tuesday morning as part of a FBI child pornography investigation. Fogle has not been arrested and is cooperating with the investigation. His relationship with Subway has been suspended by the company.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Fogle Started the Charity in 2004
Fogle rings the closing bell at NASDAQ MarketSite on September 23, 2013 in New York City. (Getty)
Fogle founded the charity in 2004 because of his lifelong experiences with obesity.
According to the foundation’s website, “As a leader in the fight to help children learn life-long healthy diet and exercise habits, the Jared Foundation provides programs for children ages 6 to 14 years and support tools for parents, educators, and health care professionals to encourage and sustain lifestyle changes.”
Fogle says on the website, “Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic. I believe there is a solution; educating kids about the importance of proper nutrition and physical activity. I am proud to have my name on this foundation. Its vision and mine is to eliminate childhood obesity.”
2. The Charity Has 3 Approaches to Fighting Childhood Obesity
Fogle walking the runway at the Project Subway show during Nolcha Fashion Week New York Spring/Summer 2014. (Getty)
According to the charity’s website, the foundation has three ways it approaches the issue of childhood obesity:
– Developing easy-to-use tools that encourage kids to exercise and eat healthy
– Supporting parents, schools and community organizations with educational programs and materials
– Forming strategic partnerships with influential organizations that will advance our mission through the development and application of programs that address Childhood Obesity
The charity has an “exclusive club” called Club 245, named for the amount of weight Fogle lost, which members gain access to buy donating $245.
3. The Charity’s Executive Director Was Arrested in April on Child Porn Charges
Fogle, left, with Russell Taylor in an April photo taken before Taylor’s arrest. (Facebook)
The foundation’s former executive director, 43-year-old Russell Taylor, was arrested in April on child pornography charges.
Taylor, a married father from Indianapolis, Indiana, was charged by state and federal authorities with possession of child pornography, production of child pornography, child exploitation and voyeurism. He had worked for the charity since 2008.
4. Fogle Did Not Earn Any Compensation While Working for the Charity
Fogle at a movie premiere. (Getty)
Fogle did not earn any compensation from the charity, according to its 2013 990-EZ tax form.
As executive director, Russell Taylor earned about $40,000. The other employees, including family members of Fogle, also did not earn any compensation.
The foundation took in about $127,000 in 2013.
5. ‘Jared’s Joggers’ Is the Charity’s Main Fundraising Program
Fogle at a Dove Men+Care event in 2013. (Getty)
The foundation’s main charity fundraising program is called “Jared’s Joggers,” according to its website.
“Since completing the ING NYC Marathon in 2010, Jared is on a mission to inspire children and adults to run for a greater purpose. That purpose is to raise money for in-school physical education programs. The Jared Foundation believes that, along with proper nutrition, teaching kids physical fitness at an early age will lead to healthier, happier lives,” the website explains.