Nando’s offering free chicken and a chance to help underserved students

Nando’s PERi-PERi will honor its South African roots on Thursday by celebrating International Mandela Day with free chicken for customers who bring back-to-school supplies for underserved area youth.

The giveaway runs from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 18. Guests who bring any new back-to-school item will receive a free PERi-PERi chicken leg or breast at the spice level of their choosing. Nando's will then fill backpacks with the donated supplies and deliver them to underserved schools in the area.

No purchase is necessary. The offer is one per guest while supplies last.

International Nelson Mandela Day honors the birthday of South African leader Nelson Mandela, who fought for equality and an end to apartheid. The Mandela Day Initiative was created to inspire others to take action every July 18 in doable, yet impactful ways.

The first Nando's PERi-PERi opened in 1987 in Johannesburg, South Africa. They now have locations in 24 countries.

Suburban Nando's PERi-PERi locations include 523 Oakbrook Center in Oak Brook, 4999 Old Orchard Center in Skokie, and 6 W. Jefferson Ave. in Naperville.