IP and Feeding America Help People Facing Hunger, Recovering from Disasters

This week, Feeding America®, Chicago, Ill., USA, the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization, announced a new agreement with International Paper, Memphis, Tenn., to help feed America's hungry and to support its national disaster relief efforts.

 

 

As part of their commitment of helping people in need, International Paper, a global producer of renewable fiber-based packaging, pulp, and paper products has designed disaster relief boxes to help Feeding America pre-stage in several communities to be prepared for the aftermath of a disaster; saving crucial time and resources. To date, IP has donated 60,000 custom designed boxes as well as $250,000 to aid Feeding America in its disaster response efforts following Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Jose, and Maria and the ongoing California fire crisis. International Paper will also donate an additional $1 million over two years to help end hunger in America. 

"While you may not see it, hunger is everywhere around us—down the street, at work, on the playground, at the senior center. An unexpected storm or hurricane can disrupt everyday life, but for a family already facing food insecurity, it can be disastrous. We are grateful for International Paper's commitment to ending hunger and to our disaster preparedness efforts that help to provide food and hope when people need it most," said Andy Wilson, chief development officer of Feeding America.

The Feeding America nationwide network of 200 food banks reaches every county in the U.S. This national reach allows the organization to respond quickly in the event of a severe natural occurrence. From pre-disaster preparation, to deploying trucks and logistical solutions during a disaster, to providing ongoing community support throughout the road to recovery, Feeding America employs a strategy supportive of all disaster response stages. 

"We mobilize our people, products, and resources to address critical needs in the communities where our employees live and work," said Tom Cleves, International Paper VP of global citizenship. "Teaming up with Feeding America allows us to make an even greater impact in our commitment to serving as a force of good and reducing food insecurity."

IP is a Feeding America Leadership Partner and a 2017/2018 Official Disaster Relief Box Provider. 

To learn more about Feeding America and its disaster relief efforts, please visit the Feeding America web site. 

 

Feeding America is the largest hunger-relief organization in the U.S. Through a network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs, it provides meals to more than 46 million people each year. Feeding America also supports programs that prevent food waste and improve food security among the people it serves; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Individuals, charities, businesses. and government all have a role in ending hunger. 

International Paper is a global producer of renewable fiber-based packaging, pulp, and paper products with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, Europe, North Africa, India, and Russia. The company produces corrugated packaging products that protect and promote goods, and enable worldwide commerce; pulp for diapers, tissue and other personal hygiene products that promote health and wellness, and papers that facilitate education and communication. IP employs approximately 52,000 colleagues located in more than 24 countries. Net sales for 2017 were $22 billion.