Giving back is in our DNA and this week marks the start of our much-anticipated week of community service, Make a Difference Week. Ten years ago, at the urging of an overwhelming number of employees who volunteered for the original “Make a Difference Day,” our program expanded to a full week dedicated to building healthy communities.
Kicking off today, about 3,800 Campbell employees will volunteer approximately 4,000 hours of time to more than 20 organizations, including Food Bank of South Jersey, Habitat for Humanity and Ronald McDonald House. More than 70 projects will take place in 18 locations across the country. Each location will also participate in the national Backpack Program through Feeding America, in which employees will donate more than 10,000 backpacks full of fresh produce and shelf-stable dinner items to schools and food banks in need.
“Every year, we strive to make a long-standing impact that matters in our hometown communities,” said Amanda Bauman, Senior Manager, Community Affairs. “Make a Difference Week is the high point of year-round volunteering where our employees come together to share their time, talent and passion. Volunteering is another way we live our Purpose, Real food that matters for life’s moments.”
From harvesting crops at Specca Farms in Bordentown, N.J. and building a home with Habitat for Humanity in Maxton, N.C. to tree planting in the new Coopers Poynt Waterfront Park, Campbell employees will work alongside their colleagues in the communities where Campbell has operations. Our CEO Denise Morrison and the Campbell Executive Leadership team will cap off Make a Difference Week by participating in a cooking event and volunteer food-packing initiative alongside KIPP Whittier Elementary students at the Food Bank of South Jersey.
In recognition of the 4,000 service hours that will be volunteered during the week, the Campbell Soup Foundation will also distribute approximately $60,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations where Campbell employees volunteer.
See coverage of events as they happen by following @CampbellCSR and @CampbellSoupCo on Twitter.