In the last issue of Swire News, we highlighted efforts by the group's Greater China businesses to support communities worst affected by COVID-19. In this edition, we look at a few of the initiatives taken by other Swire operating companies around the world. With the need to follow specific national and sometimes state requirements and guidelines, every company's experience has been different. But even while facing their own challenges, Swire companies have continued to address the needs of less fortunate sectors of the wider community.
The China Navigation Company
United States Cold Storage
The USA has seen a rapid spread of the disease leading to a huge increase in unemployment and food insecurity. New Jersey-based United States Cold Storage ("USCS") has risen to these challenges by helping to maintain a safe and reliable food supply chain. The company has been providing essential distribution services to its food manufacturing customer base, as well as ensuring local communities have access to food. In March, USCS fully funded one month's operating expenses for a local food bank, enabling the charity to feed 90 families a week. By April, the company had developed a strategic plan to fund neighbourhood restaurants to prepare and deliver meals to needy families sheltering in place. By the end of June, USCS had provided over 2,000 meals through local businesses and had also teamed up with a restaurant to provide 130 meals to frontline healthcare staff at a local hospital, in order to show support and appreciation for their efforts. USCS has also partnered with a food manufacturer customer, facilitating deliveries of free meals to two local food banks in Florida and Dallas, as well as a daybreak centre in Illinois.
Finlays
The pandemic has also taken a savage toll in the UK, where Swire companies have found a range of ways to assist response efforts. International natural beverage supplier Finlays has been supporting the UK Government's nationwide care-package scheme, which provides essential supplies to individuals at high-risk, who have been isolating at home. Via its wholesale customer Brakes Foodservice, Finlays supplies tea for the packages, which have been a vital service for the elderly and vulnerable who have no other means of obtaining groceries.
Argent Energy
With many annual fundraising events cancelled because of the virus, UK charities are facing a funding crisis. Recognising this, staff at biodiesel producer, Argent Energy, took a creative approach to fundraising by undertaking gruelling 'lockdown' running and cycling challenges in their own gardens or neighbouring streets. Thanks to the generosity of their colleagues, matched by Argent, they have raised over £2,500 for NHS Charities Together, an association of charities that support Britain's National Health Service, its staff, volunteers and patients.