Southwire Expands Giving Efforts in Response to COVID-19

Southwire recently announced it has expanded its Giving Back efforts throughout 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Southwire has always sought to give back and improve the quality of life in the communities in which we live and work,” said Rich Stinson, Southwire’s president and CEO, in the company's press release. “Our commitment to expand our giving efforts to help support COVID-19 relief builds upon our company’s principle of supporting those in need with our time, talent and financial resources, and we are pleased to join others who share this vision as we all continue to respond to this global challenge.”

Southwire's $1-million donation will be divided into three phases, focusing on hunger, education and hope for the holidays. The donations will be divided out throughout the year.

Phase one will begin in early summer and provide families with meals. As of April 30, more than 30 million Americans have filed for unemployment, while 55 million students are out of school, many of whom rely on school meals. Southwire is donating $500,000 to Feeding America, the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization, and other similar international organizations within their Giving Back communities. For every dollar donated, Feeding America can provide 10 meals to those in need.

Phase two will be in late summer, with Southwire's annual Back to School event and continued commitment to education. Southwire has held Back to School events for the past 16 years, but this year will mark the company's biggest contribution, totally $250,000, which will provide more than 25,000 bags of free school supplies to families and children in local communities who need them most. 

The final phase focuses on hope for the holidays and will take place throughout November and December through Project GIFT, which stands for Giving Inspiration for Tomorrow. Project GIFT, Southwire's non-profit organization, began 15 years ago. It has grown from 10 employee volunteers to more than 1,200 with a footprint of 23 Giving Back communities around the world. Based on the CDC recommendations for social distancing at the time of giving, and if there is an option to do so safely, Southwire’s Project GIFT volunteers will have the opportunity to participate in these initiatives.

“Project GIFT is an amazing outlet for employees in the Southwire family who have giving hearts and want to be able to share their talents and resources with others in our communities,” said Jodie Overmyer, Project GIFT coordinator from Bremen, Ind. “Giving Back looks a little different right now, but it is important that our efforts do not stop. With everything going on in these uncertain times, this donation will directly help those in need.”

To learn more about the company's giving efforts, read the original release.