Tag: 3BL

At Chemours, we strive to make chemistry as responsible as it is essential. Our products play a critical role in our daily lives, the global economy, and a better future for our world. From keeping food cold to improving the reliability of medical equipment to enabling semiconductors in our smart devices, our fluoropolymer and fluorinated gas products are the best solution for hundreds of important applications in our daily lives.

Chemours products also support emerging sustainable technologies that enable decarbonization, electrification, and digital transformation. Our Nafion™ membranes are key to producing clean hydrogen, while Opteon™ low global warming potential solutions protect the food chain, enable heat pumps in electric vehicles, cool technology infrastructure, and drive energy efficiency.

However, providing solutions that enable a green economy and support reaching global climate goals is not enough. In a constantly changing world that presents both new challenges and opportunities, we strive to meet the increasing demands and expectations of the global and local communities we serve—responsibly. Because, that’s essential.

We are committed to doing what is right, not just what is required, and that includes manufacturing our essential chemistry in a responsible manner that minimizes environmental impact. This deep commitment is why we’re delighted to be recognized on the 2023 list of 100 Best Corporate Citizens.

This annual ranking recognizes environmental, social, and governance (ESG) transparency and performance among the 1,000 largest U.S. public companies based on 184 ESG factors in seven pillars: climate change, employee relations, environment, governance, human rights, stakeholders and society, and ESG performance.

Chemours’ focus on responsible manufacturing and decreasing environmental impact is embedded in every business process and function at Chemours—from managing emissions at our sites to nurturing a culture obsessed with safety to developing new, sustainable product offerings.

We’re also investing in the technology to reduce our carbon footprint as we pursue a path to net-zero operational greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. At the same time, we’re working to be good stewards of our natural resources through water stewardship, waste reduction, and biodiversity enhancement.

At Chemours, sustainability is embedded across our organization and underpins our vision to create a better world through the power of our chemistry. We strive for continuous improvement and openly share how we are doing with our stakeholders. Through our ESG issue assessment, we track a range of issues crucial to our ongoing sustainability journey and keep stakeholders abreast of those most important to them.

We are setting the standard for how a chemistry company can operate, and we will continue to work in partnership with our communities, suppliers, customers, industry, and academia to advance our responsibility commitment along our value chain and sustainable development at scale.

To learn more about Chemours progress against its ambitious sustainability goals, visit: https://www.chemours.com/en/sustainability.

About the 100 Best Corporate Citizens Ranking 
The 100 Best Corporate Citizens debuted in 1999 in Business Ethics Magazine and appeared annually in Corporate Responsibility Magazine for many years. 3BL has managed the ranking since 2018.

Using a methodology developed by 3BL, each company in the Russell 1000 Index is ranked according to its transparency and performance on 184 environmental, social, and governance factors. Companies are researched by ISS ESG, the responsible investment research arm of Institutional Shareholder Services, based on publicly available sources of corporate data and information rather than questionnaires or company submissions.

There is no fee for companies to be included in 100 Best Corporate Citizens, and companies have the option to verify data collected for the ranking at no cost. Data and information used in the 2023 edition of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens ranking was collected between July 2022 to July 2023. For access to the complete 100 Best Corporate Citizens of 2023 ranking and methodology visit: https://100best.3blmedia.com/.

Tetra Pak 2022 Sustainability Report

Tetra Pak® Custom Printing

In 2022, we debuted an industry-first innovation that will bring new opportunities for brands to use food and beverage cartons to connect and engage with consumers. Tetra Pak® Custom Printing uses digital printing technology to deliver smaller batches of carton packaging, along with increased flexibility to print multiple designs compared to traditional carton printing. This means marketers can be more agile, creative and targeted with their on-pack messaging, giving brands new ways to communicate with customers about the foods they eat.

We showed off these capabilities at PACK EXPO in September 2022 with custom printed cartons just for that industry event. Each of our four carton designs featured a different piece of Tetra Pak® equipment and messaging geared toward the PACK EXPO audience.

Securing Milk Availability in Schools

Tetra Pak is invested in making sure students have access to safe, nutritious milk through school meal programs. While most schools continue to use traditional chilled milk, market factors are causing some to lose access to their local chilled milk provider.

Some school districts use shelf-stable milk to ensure availability, alleviate logistics challenges and reduce milk that may spoil over a holiday break or during other unexpected closures. The Dallas Independent School District (Dallas ISD) participated in a shelf-stable milk pilot in early 2022 and saw a projected cost savings, fewer weekly deliveries of milk and increased milk consumption. These were similar findings to other school districts that previously conducted shelf-stable milk pilots.

Following the Dallas ISD pilot, Tetra Pak was invited to speak to the Urban School Food Alliance on shelf-stable milk for schools. The Urban School Food Alliance is a nonprofit organization created by school food service professionals to address the unique needs of the nation’s largest school districts. Tetra Pak continues to work with school districts to find ways to ensure milk availability.

Optimizing Cheesemaking With Technology and Knowledge

Using our state-of-the-art cheesemaking equipment, data and deep knowledge of cheese technology, we’re working with customers to optimize their cheesemaking process. Tetra Pak customers choose a cheesemaking parameter that is important to them, such as a higher yield or quality, and then Tetra Pak’s cheese technology and data science teams use customer data, automation expertise and artificial intelligence to achieve the desired outcome.

This means our customers can get a higher yield or higher quality product from the same amount of milk, energy and labor, thus making cheesemaking more sustainable and minimizing food loss.

Educating Consumers on Shelf-Stable Milk

In continuation of our efforts to educate consumers on how shelf-stable milk is processed and packaged, Tetra Pak sponsored content titled, “Milk that doesn’t have to be refrigerated? How does that work?” The article was placed in more than 900 publications across the market and educated consumers about the convenience, quality and sustainability benefits of shelf-stable milk.

Read the full Tetra Pak 2022 Sustainability Report.

Pepco | The Source

October is National Fire Prevention Month and Pepco is marking the month by donating 650 smoke alarms and 350 carbon monoxide alarms to the DC Fire and EMS Department. This donation is part of our Emergency Services Partnership Program (ESSP), which helps fund and provide smoke alarm donations, electrical safety training, emergency management conferences and safety and educational programs that benefit first responders and the general public. This is the first year we are providing carbon monoxide detectors as part of this effort.

Since our first donation in 2004, we have donated 19,000 life-saving smoke alarms to the DC Fire and EMS Department and nearly 60,000 alarms have been donated to jurisdictions across our service area in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties in Maryland.

Statistics from DC Fire and EMS show most fire fatalities occur in homes where no smoke alarms were present or did not operate properly. Of the sixteen District fire fatalities in 2022 and 2023, six took place where there were no working smoke alarms. During that same time period, the Department installed more than 2,000 smoke alarms, and there were 90 incidents where smoke alarms alerted residents to get to safety.

Any District homeowner who is unable to afford a smoke detector can have one installed by contacting the DC Fire and EMS Fire Prevention Division at 202-727-1614 or by e-mail at fems.fireprevention@dc.gov.

The program demonstrates the positive value of public and private partnerships which enables us to provide more resources to the communities and residents that need them most. We are incredibly proud to be able to provide these smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to local residents and to continue this important partnership with DC Fire and EMS.

V Teamer and breast cancer survivor Jill Stair shares her journey to recovery.

On today’s edition of Up To Speed, meet V Teamer Jill Stair, a Senior Analyst in Verizon Global Services who first joined the company in 1991.

In March of 2013, Jill found a change in her breast during a routine self-examination. She scheduled a visit to her doctor, who initially didn’t think there was much to worry about – until Jill underwent a diagnostic mammogram.

The diagnostic revealed that Jill had stage one breast cancer, but her doctor assured her it could be treated surgically and would be fine after reconstruction.

It was during the surgery that Jill’s situation took an unexpected turn.

“During the surgery it’s always procedure for the surgeon to remove a lymph node and make sure that there’s no cancer,” said Jill. “But there was cancer … Thirteen of the sixteen lymph nodes were cancerous.”

Surgery, recovery, chemo, radiation

Things moved quickly from there. Jill’s cancer was re-categorized from stage 1 to stage 3C. Her course of treatment changed, and in quick succession, she underwent surgery, recovery, chemo and radiation. Jill’s chemotherapy was difficult, forcing her to deal with harsh side effects like intense nausea.

“My chemo had a nickname … “the red devil” said Jill. “It’s very powerful; it goes through and basically kills everything in your body … to kill all the cancer.”

Jill never guessed how grateful she’d be for her Verizon insurance coverage until this difficult process.

“I was able to go through the surgeries, the chemo, the radiation and it was amazing. I’d walk in and go into this miserable chemo and I’m paying $35.00,” Jill recalled. “There were people in that room with me that were paying $50,000.”

Jill says she chooses to focus on the blessings she experienced during those tough times. “My Verizon family absolutely took care of me.”

Tell us what you think of Up To Speed.

V Team, go to Inside Verizon Intranet to join the conversation

Parker Hannifin Corporation (NYSE: PH), the global leader in motion and control technologies, today released its fiscal year 2023 Sustainability Report. Under the theme “Guided by Purpose,” the report highlights the success of Parker’s most recent actions to protect the environment, advance clean technologies, create safe industrial workplaces and strengthen its communities.

The report also demonstrates Parker’s broad range of products and systems that are specifically designed to help our customers minimize their reliance on natural resources, increase efficiencies and reduce carbon emissions.

“Parker’s legacy of corporate responsibility and sustainability-focused operations is reflected in our actions. We continue to enable our customers to innovate and, make progress on their environmental commitments,” said Jenny Parmentier, Chief Executive Officer. “I am proud to share the progress we have made in our Sustainability Report on behalf of all of our global team members, who continue to do the work every day to make our world cleaner, smarter and safer.”

Key achievements detailed in the FY23 Sustainability Report include:

Keeping Team Members Safe: Parker prioritizes a shared commitment to safety excellence across its sites, which resulted in a 45% reduction in Recordable Incident Rate and a 33% reduction in Lost Time Incident Rate over the last five years. Collectively, Parker’s safety performance ranks in the top quartile among peer industrial companies.Reducing Carbon Impacts: Parker completed many on-site carbon reduction projects this fiscal year, including solar panel installations, lighting retrofits, HVAC system upgrades and other projects to lower its environmental footprint. These actions support Parker’s goals to reduce carbon from its operational footprint by 50% by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2040.Developing Clean Technologies: In FY23, more than 40% of Parker’s research and development was dedicated to expanding its interconnected clean technology portfolio, with a focus on electrification and the emergence of alternative fuels such as hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuels.Positively Impacting Communities: Together, Parker and the Parker Foundation contributed more than $9 million to charities that help strengthen communities around the world. The majority of these contributions supported causes that align with the Foundation’s three areas of focus: STEM Education, Community Needs and Sustainability.

Additional information is available in Parker’s fiscal year 2023 Sustainability Report. Learn more at www.parker.com/sustainability.

Media Contact
Aidan Gormley
Director, Global Communications and Branding

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Frank Gaspari, CEO of FlexPrint, is stewarding FlexPrint’s presenting sponsorship of Whole Planet Foundation’s Party With A Purpose on October 25, 2023. This annual benefit and auction celebrates the Foundation’s global impact on poverty and creates an opportunity for donors and volunteers to come together and create more income-generating opportunities for the world’s microentrepreneurs working hard to escape poverty.

Q: Why is FlexPrint supporting Whole Planet Foundation at the top sponsorship level?

A: At FlexPrint, we’re not just focused on our business, but on the larger impact we can have in the world. This is why our partnership with Whole Planet Foundation, at the top sponsorship level, means so much to us. The foundation’s mission – to provide microloans, especially to women entrepreneurs, and help them achieve their dreams – is something we truly believe in. Everyone deserves a chance to succeed, and with the Whole Planet Foundation, we’re helping to create those opportunities. By backing them, we’re investing in people’s ambitions and the promise of a brighter future.

Q: What was the inspiration for your personal path to amplify the mission of non-profits?

A: As the CEO of Flex Technology Group, my journey wasn’t a solitary one. Throughout the stages of starting and growing my businesses, I was fortunate to be surrounded by individuals who offered invaluable advice, support, and sometimes, just a helping hand when I needed it most. This personal history is why our partnership with Whole Planet Foundation resonates so deeply with me. Their commitment to providing microloans, especially to budding women entrepreneurs, is akin to those gestures of support I received in my early days. I understand the profound impact of having someone believe in your vision and potential, and I feel a strong sense of duty to extend that same support to others. By sponsoring Whole Planet Foundation at the top level, FlexPrint isn’t just donating; we’re repaying a debt of gratitude, providing others with the same chance and hope that was once given to me.

Q: What are FlexPrint’s core values and how do they come to life?

A: At FlexPrint, our core values are the compass guiding every decision we make and every action we undertake.

1. Integrity: We believe in doing the right thing, even when no one’s looking. This is evident in the transparent and honest relationships we maintain with our clients and partners.

2. Innovation: We continually strive to stay ahead of the curve, pushing boundaries and seeking better solutions for our clients. Our cutting-edge products and services are testament to this relentless pursuit of innovation.

3. Customer Centricity: Our clients are at the heart of everything we do. We don’t just offer services; we tailor solutions that best fit our clients’ needs, ensuring they always come first.

4. Collaboration: Teamwork is in our DNA. We know that the best results come from working together, both internally and with our clients and partners.

5. Community Impact: We understand the role businesses play in bettering the world. Our top-tier sponsorship of the Whole Planet Foundation is just one of the many ways we give back and make a difference.

Each day, these values come to life in the way we interact with our clients, approach challenges, and contribute to the community. They’re not just words on paper; they’re the essence of FlexPrint’s identity.

Q: What’s the greatest business lesson you’ve learned from supporting non-profits like Whole Planet Foundation?

A: In our journey at FlexPrint, supporting non-profits like Whole Planet Foundation has provided a profound business lesson: success is not just measured by profit margins or market share, but by the positive impact we can make on the world. Engaging with Whole Planet Foundation, which aids individuals in realizing their entrepreneurial aspirations, reminded me of the help I personally received during my early days. It underscored the importance of community, collaboration, and the ripple effect that even a small gesture can create. In business, fostering genuine relationships and investing in the greater good isn’t just a moral imperative; it strengthens our brand, reinforces trust with our clients, and instills a deeper sense of purpose among our team. True success, we’ve come to realize, lies in blending our corporate objectives with a broader vision of uplifting society.

Q: To what do you attribute FlexPrint’s success to date and what are the brands goals for the next 3-5 years?

A: FlexPrint’s success to date can be largely attributed to our unwavering commitment to core values like innovation, customer centricity, and integrity. Our team’s relentless drive to offer cutting-edge solutions, while fostering genuine relationships with clients, has positioned us at the forefront of our industry. Looking ahead, our goals for the next 3-5 years are multifaceted. We aim to expand our market reach, delving into newer segments and geographies, while maintaining the high standards of service our clients have come to expect. Equally important, we’ll be deepening our commitment to social responsibility, building on our partnerships with organizations like Whole Planet Foundation, and implementing more sustainable business practices. At the heart of our future endeavors is a clear vision: to combine business growth with a positive, lasting impact on the communities we serve.

Q: What about Whole Planet Foundation resonates with FlexPrint?

A: Whole Planet Foundation’s mission to empower individuals, especially budding entrepreneurs, aligns seamlessly with FlexPrint’s core ethos. We recognize the transformative power of offering a helping hand, having been beneficiaries of guidance and support during our foundational years. The foundation’s focus on granting microloans, particularly to women, mirrors our belief in creating opportunities and fostering innovation. Just as Whole Planet Foundation is committed to nurturing dreams, FlexPrint is dedicated to enabling success, making our partnership more than just sponsorship – it’s a shared vision for a brighter, more inclusive future.

Q: What advice do you have for entrepreneurs like yourself who also want to make an impact? 

A: Entrepreneurs starting their journey with a desire to make an impact should understand that true success lies in blending passion with purpose. While financial gains are important, it’s the legacy we leave behind that speaks volumes. Start by defining what ‘impact’ means to you, whether it’s supporting local communities, championing environmental causes, or fostering innovation. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals, as collaboration magnifies impact. Remember, every small effort counts. You don’t have to wait until you’re a large enterprise to start making a difference. Begin with what you have and let your desire to create positive change be your guiding light. And above all, stay true to your values, as they are the foundation upon which lasting impacts are built.

Whole Planet Foundation is grateful for the support of so many advocates who made our 2023 Party With A Purpose Annual Benefit and Auction a success! In-person attendees, volunteers, sponsors, supplier donors, corporate donors, in-kind donors, WPF Community Engagement Committee Members and event partners helped raise more than $100,000 and counting.

Live Auction donors include a Wrexham jersey signed by Blakely Lively and Ryan Reynolds donated by Betty Buzz, D’Angelico Premier Mini DC Guitar donated by Saint James Organic Brewed Tea, A Day on the Lake Package including YETI cooler and tumblers and 10′ Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board donated by HumanCo, Kimo Sabe Mezcal Grand Añejo Reserve uniquely one-of-a-kind Huichol artisan beaded bottle that is an original work of visionary art, Schwinn 26” Cruiser Bike and supplements donated by Mary Ruth’s Organics, and two Mt. Kilimanjaro Guided Climbs with Safari donated by Urth Expedition.

Silent auction donors include Anchor Packaging, Ayeya, Ben & Jerry’s, Beverly Biehl of the Intuitive Interior, C2O, Claire Sommers Buck Jewelry, Comvita, GoodPop, Franzetti Jewelers, Health-Ade, Hella Cocktail Co., HumanCo, Claire Kelly, KeVita, Kristin Meekhof Consulting, Pact, Papyrus-Recycled Greetings, San Trade Limited, Sanzo, the San Antonio Spurs, Scott White, Steaz, Stephanie Manciagli, Sun Noodle, Topo Chico, Zoe So, and Whole Foods Market.

Virtual auction item donors include Ayeya, De Lune, DIFF Charitable Eyewear, Dosa by Dosa, Eclipse Foods, Ethika, GoodSam Foods, Gulf Relay and Kameron Hammond, JR Simich, Kidfresh, Kuli Kuli Foods, La Colombe Coffee Roasters, Laoban Dumplings, Lil’ Gourmets, Pizza Girl, Pressed, Rambler Sparkling Water, Shoes For Crews, Tari Zaka of Aspiring Artists of the Earth and YouTheory.

Menu providers include Applegate, Betty Buzz, Brazi Bites, Chloe’s, Comvita, C2O, FOODMatch, Good Food For Good, Hella Cocktail Co., KeVita, Lupii, Nixie, Nutpods, Oishii, Petit Pot, Primal Kitchen, Sanzo, Shire’s Naturals, Smartwater, Steaz, Suja Life, Teapigs and Youtheory.

Goody bag contributors include Aloha, Andalou Naturals, Brazi Bites, Bobo’s, Cafe Spice, Cedar’s Foods, Chloe’s, Chosen Foods, DIFF Charitable Eyewear, Eat The Change, Flow Alkaline Spring Water, FOODMatch, Gaia Herbs, Goodles, HighKey, Himalaya, HIPPEAS, Human Co, Jessica’s Natural Foods, Kidfresh, Kosterina, La Colombe Coffee Roasters, Little Secrets, Lupii, Manitoba Harvest, MaryRuth’s Organics, Mikuna, Mineragua, Nature’s Bakery, No Cow, Nutpods, OLIPOP, Olyra Foods, Outstanding Foods, Pact, Papyrus-Recycled Greetings, Rhythm Superfoods, Rosted, Sacred Serve, Saffron Road, Shoes For Crews, Steaz Suja Life, Sunwink, The Republic of Tea, Tortiyahs!, Trilogy, World Centric and Youtheory.

Special thanks to

Event item donors Alliance Marketing, D’Angelico, and Lucid RoutesWhole Planet Foundation field team members Claire Kelly, Stephanie Manciagli, and Zoe So for sourcing global items from countries where they live and work abroadThe Whole Planet Foundation Community Engagement Committee for inviting new advocates to support the Whole Planet Foundation missionEvent partners Ayeya, Auctioneer JaMarr John Johnson, Austin’s Elite Staffing, DIFF Charitable Eyewear, DJ Ang, Jetter Photography, KF Morrison Media, Jasberry, Jeremiah Johnson, Oro Dance Company, Starr of Texas, Studio AZUL, and Scott MacMillan of BRACWhole Foods Market team members Sharon Espinoza, Samantha Halsey, Michael Selman, Reid Harmon, Chris Brydges, and Aneka Patel for helping us pivot from outdoors to indoors given the Texas stormsWhole Planet Foundation team members Sandy Mariscal, Haley Calzadilla, Tiara Moore-Jones, Crystal Beasley, Jessica Villanueva, Victor Quiroz, Stephanie Manciagli and Daniel Zoltani for their dedication to celebrating our annual impact on poverty alleviation and furthering Whole Planet Foundation’s mission.

Please join the virtual auction, accessible to anyone in the U.S. now through Sunday evening at 11:59 pm CST, October 29. Register for free for the virtual auction and help empower more entrepreneurs with access to income-generating opportunities.

To learn more about partnership opportunities or the Community Engagement Committee, email Joy.Stoddard@wholefoods.com to get involved. Thank you!

Whole Planet Foundation is grateful for the support of so many advocates who made our 2023 Party With A Purpose Annual Benefit and Auction a success! In-person attendees, volunteers, sponsors, supplier donors, corporate donors, in-kind donors, WPF Community Engagement Committee Members and event partners helped raise more than $100,000 and counting.

Live Auction donors include a Wrexham jersey signed by Blakely Lively and Ryan Reynolds donated by Betty Buzz, D’Angelico Premier Mini DC Guitar donated by Saint James Organic Brewed Tea, A Day on the Lake Package including YETI cooler and tumblers and 10′ Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board donated by HumanCo, Kimo Sabe Mezcal Grand Añejo Reserve uniquely one-of-a-kind Huichol artisan beaded bottle that is an original work of visionary art, Schwinn 26” Cruiser Bike and supplements donated by Mary Ruth’s Organics, and two Mt. Kilimanjaro Guided Climbs with Safari donated by Urth Expedition.

Silent auction donors include Anchor Packaging, Ayeya, Ben & Jerry’s, Beverly Biehl of the Intuitive Interior, C2O, Claire Sommers Buck Jewelry, Comvita, GoodPop, Franzetti Jewelers, Health-Ade, Hella Cocktail Co., HumanCo, Claire Kelly, KeVita, Kristin Meekhof Consulting, Pact, Papyrus-Recycled Greetings, San Trade Limited, Sanzo, the San Antonio Spurs, Scott White, Steaz, Stephanie Manciagli, Sun Noodle, Topo Chico, Zoe So, and Whole Foods Market.

Virtual auction item donors include Ayeya, De Lune, DIFF Charitable Eyewear, Dosa by Dosa, Eclipse Foods, Ethika, GoodSam Foods, Gulf Relay and Kameron Hammond, JR Simich, Kidfresh, Kuli Kuli Foods, La Colombe Coffee Roasters, Laoban Dumplings, Lil’ Gourmets, Pizza Girl, Pressed, Rambler Sparkling Water, Shoes For Crews, Tari Zaka of Aspiring Artists of the Earth and YouTheory.

Menu providers include Applegate, Betty Buzz, Brazi Bites, Chloe’s, Comvita, C2O, FOODMatch, Good Food For Good, Hella Cocktail Co., KeVita, Lupii, Nixie, Nutpods, Oishii, Petit Pot, Primal Kitchen, Sanzo, Shire’s Naturals, Smartwater, Steaz, Suja Life, Teapigs and Youtheory.

Goody bag contributors include Aloha, Andalou Naturals, Brazi Bites, Bobo’s, Cafe Spice, Cedar’s Foods, Chloe’s, Chosen Foods, DIFF Charitable Eyewear, Eat The Change, Flow Alkaline Spring Water, FOODMatch, Gaia Herbs, Goodles, HighKey, Himalaya, HIPPEAS, Human Co, Jessica’s Natural Foods, Kidfresh, Kosterina, La Colombe Coffee Roasters, Little Secrets, Lupii, Manitoba Harvest, MaryRuth’s Organics, Mikuna, Mineragua, Nature’s Bakery, No Cow, Nutpods, OLIPOP, Olyra Foods, Outstanding Foods, Pact, Papyrus-Recycled Greetings, Rhythm Superfoods, Rosted, Sacred Serve, Saffron Road, Shoes For Crews, Steaz Suja Life, Sunwink, The Republic of Tea, Tortiyahs!, Trilogy, World Centric and Youtheory.

Special thanks to

Event item donors Alliance Marketing, D’Angelico, and Lucid RoutesWhole Planet Foundation field team members Claire Kelly, Stephanie Manciagli, and Zoe So for sourcing global items from countries where they live and work abroadThe Whole Planet Foundation Community Engagement Committee for inviting new advocates to support the Whole Planet Foundation missionEvent partners Ayeya, Auctioneer JaMarr John Johnson, Austin’s Elite Staffing, DIFF Charitable Eyewear, DJ Ang, Jetter Photography, KF Morrison Media, Jasberry, Jeremiah Johnson, Oro Dance Company, Starr of Texas, Studio AZUL, and Scott MacMillan of BRACWhole Foods Market team members Sharon Espinoza, Samantha Halsey, Michael Selman, Reid Harmon, Chris Brydges, and Aneka Patel for helping us pivot from outdoors to indoors given the Texas stormsWhole Planet Foundation team members Sandy Mariscal, Haley Calzadilla, Tiara Moore-Jones, Crystal Beasley, Jessica Villanueva, Victor Quiroz, Stephanie Manciagli and Daniel Zoltani for their dedication to celebrating our annual impact on poverty alleviation and furthering Whole Planet Foundation’s mission.

Please join the virtual auction, accessible to anyone in the U.S. now through Sunday evening at 11:59 pm CST, October 29. Register for free for the virtual auction and help empower more entrepreneurs with access to income-generating opportunities.

To learn more about partnership opportunities or the Community Engagement Committee, email Joy.Stoddard@wholefoods.com to get involved. Thank you!

Originally published by Verizon on October 13, 2023

NEW YORK /3BL/ – In response to the humanitarian crisis that is unfolding in the Middle East affecting civilian communities in Israel and the Palestinian territories, Verizon Foundation has committed to a $2 million donation to organizations supporting relief efforts, including American Friends of Magen David Adom and Save the Children. In addition, the company will match employee donations of up to $1,000.

Verizon is also helping its customers in the United States connect with their loved ones overseas who have been impacted by the tragic events in the Middle East as well as the devastating earthquake in Afghanistan. Effective retroactively from October 7 through October 31, Verizon will waive international long-distance charges for calls and texts from its postpaid consumer, business wireless and residential landline customers, to Afghanistan, Israel and the Palestinian territories. All calls will be rated at $0.00 per minute. In addition, Verizon will waive international roaming and data charges for customers traveling in these regions. The same fees will be waived for calls to and from Afghanistan from October 7 through October 20.

For prepaid customers with International Long Distance calling using Straight Talk, Tracfone, Total by Verizon, Simple Mobile, Safelink, Walmart Family Mobile, Verizon Prepaid, Net10, GoSmart, and Page Plus, Verizon will waive international long-distance charges on calls to Israel and the Palestinian territories from October 14 through October 31, and Afghanistan from October 14 through October 20. Afghanistan, Israel and the Palestinian territories have also been added to the international calling destinations included with Visible+.

LOUISVILLE, Ky., October 27, 2023 /3BL/ – Today, Truist Foundation announced a $500,000 grant to Community Ventures Corporation Inc. (Community Ventures), a community development financial institution (CDFI) dedicated to delivering affordable lending solutions and technical assistance to entrepreneurs and small business owners who don’t have access to traditional financing. Community Ventures will use the funds to support Equity Boost, its new loan program that aims to drive affordable capital and strengthen small businesses.

The Equity Boost program supports Kentucky entrepreneurs by providing loans of up to $200,000, technical support, education, and networking opportunities to small businesses. The funding provided by Truist Foundation will allow Community Ventures to aid small businesses in Lexington, Louisville and Bowling Green.

“While small businesses are the backbone of our communities, CDFIs are a lifeline that fuels and sustains them,” said Lynette Bell, president of Truist Foundation. “Through its dedication to providing access to capital and financial services, Community Ventures is uplifting small businesses, creating jobs, promoting entrepreneurship and ultimately building stronger, more resilient communities across Kentucky, and Truist Foundation is proud to support their effort.”

Today, Truist Financial Chairman and CEO Bill Rogers and Tri-States Regional President Calvin Barker joined Jeff O’Brien, Executive Director with Louisville Metro Government’s Cabinet for Economic Development, and Community Ventures President and CEO Kevin Smith to formally announce the grant and discuss its impact.

“If we are going to take equity seriously, wealth building must be a priority,” said Smith. “I’m grateful to Truist Foundation for contributing $500,000 to our Equity Boost Program and to entrepreneurs like Elixir Kombucha, Luxe and Ashe Candle Co., and Shady’s Auto Repair, who have entrusted us with their business dreams.”

Since its founding in 1982, Community Ventures has helped more than 8,600 entrepreneurs start or expand their businesses, saved 1,800 households from foreclosure, provided 400,000 small businesses with continuing education opportunities, and created 15,200 jobs.

“Small businesses are the foundation of our economy. Owning and operating a small business is difficult, but through financial and technical assistance, we can help ease the burden on small businesses and help them build– contributing to our local economy and to the uniqueness of our city,” added O’Brien. “Louisville Metro Government’s Economic Development team is proud to work with partners, including Community Ventures Corp., to support small business and to offer its own low-interest METCO small business loans.”

# # #

About Truist Foundation

Truist Foundation is committed to Truist Financial Corporation’s (NYSE: TFC) purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities. The Foundation, an endowed private foundation established in 2020 whose operating budget is independent of Truist Financial Corporation, makes strategic investments in a wide variety of nonprofit organizations centered around two focus areas: building career pathways to economic mobility and strengthening small businesses to ensure all communities have an equal opportunity to thrive. Embodying these focus areas are the Foundation’s leading initiatives – the Inspire Awards and Where It Starts. Learn more at Truist.com/Foundation.

About Community Ventures Corporation Inc. 

Founded in 1982 as a community-based, non-profit organization, Community Ventures strengthens communities and improves the overall quality of life for Kentuckians by supporting job creation, small business ownership, and home ownership. CV is headquartered in Lexington with branch locations in Bowling Green, Campbellsville, Louisville, Mayfield, Millersburg, and Owensboro. For 21 consecutive years, CV has been named Microlender of the Year by the Kentucky Small Business Administration.