ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Unilever is donating food supplies and personal care products valued at over $2 million to food banks through its partnership with Feeding America®. The nonprofit is accepting donations as government workers and contractors directly affected by the shutdown are turning to their local food banks to help put food on their tables. Unilever is also making this donation in anticipation of impacts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The donations from Unilever include food items and personal care products that Feeding America has identified as in-need at impacted food banks. Unilever brands will donate items with an estimated retail value of $2.1 million.
To make sure Unilever’s products reach the impacted areas, Unilever logistics provider Landstar Global Logistics is donating its shipping services.
“No one should go hungry or be without basic hygiene essentials because of the government shutdown,” said Amanda Sourry, president of Unilever North America. “When our partners at Feeding America told us of the increased demand in impacted areas, we jumped at the opportunity to help, as did our partners at Landstar. The people impacted have dedicated themselves to civil service, and it’s our turn to help serve them by ensuring their needs are met during the shutdown.”
In response to the increased demand created by the government shutdown, Feeding America established a Shutdown Response Fund. These resources are dedicated to supporting the network of food banks that are on the front lines of feeding families who now need assistance due to the loss of income caused by the shutdown. Resources are distributed by Feeding America based on where impacted federal workers live and how many SNAP recipients are being served per location.
“Every day, the Feeding America network of 200 member food banks are on the ground helping children and families who need it most. During the shutdown, food banks have seen an increased need from hardworking men and women who struggle to put food on their tables,” said Andy Wilson, chief development officer at Feeding America. “We are truly grateful to Unilever for helping people when they need it most.”
This donation is in addition to Unilever’s regular ongoing support of Feeding America, which includes financial support, product donations, and employee volunteerism. Unilever has a 40-year history of partnering with Feeding America to provide food and supplies to millions of people facing hunger in communities across the United States.
About Unilever North America
Unilever is one of the world’s leading suppliers of Beauty & Personal Care, Home Care, and Foods & Refreshment products with sales in over 190 countries and reaching 2.5 billion consumers a day. In the United States and Canada, the portfolio includes brand icons such as: Axe, Ben & Jerry’s, Breyers, Degree, Dollar Shave Club, Dove, Hellmann’s, Klondike, Knorr, Lever 2000, Lipton, Love Beauty and Planet, Magnum, Nexxus, Noxzema, Pond’s, Popsicle, Pure Leaf, Q-tips, Seventh Generation, Simple, Sir Kensington’s, St. Ives, Suave, Talenti Gelato & Sorbetto, TAZO, TIGI, TRESemmé and Vaseline. All of the preceding brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of the Unilever Group of Companies. Unilever employs approximately 9,000 people across North America – generating more than $10 billion in sales in 2017.
The USLP creates value by driving growth and trust, eliminating costs and reducing risks. Globally, the company’s sustainable living brands grew 46% faster than the rest of the business and delivered more than 70% of the company’s growth in 2017.
For more information on Unilever U.S. and its brands visit: www.unileverusa.com
For more information on Unilever Canada and its brands visit: www.unilever.ca
