PURCHASE, N.Y., — Today, PepsiCo, and its philanthropic arm, the PepsiCo Foundation, announced partnerships with World Central Kitchen and Save the Children to provide meals, potable water and disaster relief to those impacted by severe flooding in eastern Kentucky.
Mobilizing quickly with their partners and those within the community, PepsiCo and the PepsiCo Foundation will provide nearly 50,000 meals, among other urgently needed items, through a variety of pathways, including:
- A $150,000 donation in support of the World Central Kitchen toward efforts to deliver fresh, hot meals to those in need.
- 10,000 shelf stable Food for Good breakfast meals delivered in partnership with Amazon Disaster Relief to be distributed by Save the Children at emergency shelters in the area.
- An additional $150,000 in support of Save the Children’s relief efforts that include clean drinking water, hygiene kits, diapers, infant care supplies, and cribs for families.
- Donated nearly ninety thousand bottles of water to areas where water access connections have been impacted.
“The current crisis is impacting thousands, leaving many without adequate essential supplies or a safe place to stay, but our partners on-the-ground—World Central Kitchen and Save the Children—have swiftly responded,” said Jon Banner, PepsiCo Executive Vice President, Global Communications, and PepsiCo Foundation President. “PepsiCo has a long history in Kentucky and 1,400 of our employees call it home. Our roots are planted deep and we’re heartbroken to see so many families, including 27 of our own, displaced by this disaster.”
“World Central Kitchen is a team of food first responders who know that a hot meal is so much more than a plate of food—it’s hope, it’s dignity, it’s a sign that someone cares,” said Jason Collis, Vice President of Relief, World Central Kitchen. “We’re grateful to count on the PepsiCo Foundation, not only for monetary support, but for their eager belief in our mission and willingness to roll up their sleeves and help communities in Kentucky which were devastated by the flooding.”
“Save the Children began working in Kentucky communities 90 years ago and remains committed to supporting children impacted by the recent devastating flooding – now and well into the future,” said Betsy Zorio, vice president of U.S. Programs for Save the Children. “We are deeply grateful for PepsiCo’s support in getting the essential supplies and meals Kentucky kids and families need to begin to recover during this harrowing time.”
To help further support relief efforts, the PepsiCo Foundation will also match employee donations to organizations providing critical relief for impacted communities and has activated PEPhelp, an employee-to-employee program to that provides financial assistance to PepsiCo employees affected by natural disasters. PepsiCo and the PepsiCo Foundation also are providing employees with dinner donations, hotel stays, grocery gift cards, and time off for the necessary recovery.
The PepsiCo Foundation also has a longstanding history of community relief efforts and is a member of the American Red Cross’ Annual Disaster Giving Program, granting at least $500,000 annually to ensure the Red Cross can pre-position supplies, secure shelters, maintain vehicles, train volunteers and prepare for future disasters.
PepsiCo and the PepsiCo Foundation urges others to offer their support. Donations can be made online in support of flood relief to Save the Children, World Central Kitchen, and the American Red Cross.
