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Marathon Petroleum Corporation’s Mexico City office has helped provide new homes for local families in need with TECHO, a Latin American nonprofit focused on housing poverty.Funding and employee volunteers from Marathon allowed for constructing homes for three families who had been living in makeshift dwellings in the southern part of the city.The project was completed in a single weekend with assistance from the families and TECHO volunteers.

Three families in Mexico City who had been living in crude structures with dirt floors and no running water recently saw their circumstances transformed over a single weekend. TECHO, a Latin American nonprofit, organized construction of new homes for the families with funding via Marathon Petroleum Corporation’s (MPC) Mexico City office, which also provided employee volunteers to help do the work.

“It was an incredibly rewarding experience! Though it left us with sore muscles, we were filled with joy knowing we made a significant impact on three families in desperate need,” MPC Latin America Finance Director Antinea Reyes said. “These families previously lived in makeshift shelters made of discarded materials with no flooring and were exposed to harsh weather conditions. They now have decent homes.”

TECHO assists people in Latin America and the Caribbean who are facing housing challenges because of poverty and natural disasters. The organization provides homes that are made from prefabricated wooden panels, which allows them to be assembled in a short period of time.

The weekend project in Mexico City involved 27 MPC employee volunteers, TECHO volunteers and members of the families who would receive the homes. Their tasks included digging holes for wooden piles that support the floors as well as putting together the walls and rooftops of the houses. Each home was outfitted with a water catchment system that has 290 gallons of storage capacity.

“It was an incredibly rewarding experience! Though it left us with sore muscles, we were filled with joy knowing we made a significant impact on three families in desperate need.”

“It was a gratifying activity that helps us value what we have, from our jobs at MPC to our homes,” said MPC Mexico Government and Public Affairs Director Paulo Esteban Alcaraz. “I am very proud of MPC as a company for contributing to this effort and allowing us to be part of it.”

MPC’s Mexico City office supports the company’s ARCO® retail brand in the country along with additional efforts that involve importing and marketing fuels more broadly. The office’s finance department organized and led MPC’s volunteer effort, which marked the first time that employees from the Mexico City office have assisted TECHO.

“We look forward to carrying on this community involvement in the future and having even more employees become part of this,” Alcaraz said. “The integration with the rest of the team is very valuable. Getting to know colleagues even better really helps further connect us as one team.”

RESTON, Va., December 12, 2024 /3BL/ – Leidos (NYSE: LDOS) announced a $750,000 donation to Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia. The gift will benefit students and faculty across multiple disciplines, including the School of Science, the School of Engineering, the School of Liberal Arts and Education, as well as various technological advancements at the university.

“We are proud to join with Hampton University to invest in the future of education and technology,” said Leidos CEO Tom Bell. “This gift reflects the strength of our relationship with the school and our ongoing commitment to fostering innovation, developing talent, and ensuring students have the tools and experiences they need to thrive in an increasingly technology-driven world.”

“We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of Leidos,” said Hampton University President Darrell K. Williams. “This donation will directly impact our students by providing them with vital scholarship opportunities, hands-on learning experiences, and access to advanced technology. We look forward to deepening our collaboration with Leidos, which will enrich both our academic programs and the broader community.”

The multi-year Leidos contribution will fund student scholarships, provide students with learning opportunities at Leidos facilities, and enhance Hampton University’s technology infrastructure to foster a more dynamic and interactive educational environment. The donation will also support establishing the Leidos Innovation Studio at Hampton University, further strengthening the collaboration between academia and industry. The new Leidos Innovation Studio workspace will enable students to intern with Leidos and work on real-world projects, providing valuable exposure to industry practices and professionals.

The contribution to Hampton University is another example of Leidos’ steadfast commitment to supporting STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education and historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and other minority serving institutions, including a donation announced earlier this month to Drake State Community & Technical College in Huntsville, Alabama.

About Leidos

Leidos is a Fortune 500® innovation company rapidly addressing the world’s most vexing challenges in national security and health. The company’s global workforce of 48,000 collaborates to create smarter technology solutions for customers in heavily regulated industries. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $15.4 billion for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2023. For more information, visit www.leidos.com.

About Hampton University

Hampton University, nestled along the scenic shores of Hampton, Virginia, is a dynamic historically Black institution with a storied legacy of academic excellence, pioneering research, and dedicated community service. Here, students discover an empowering environment that fuels their ambitions, nurtures their potential, and inspires them to rise, lead, and excel.

Founded in 1868, Hampton combines a robust liberal arts education with a strong emphasis on scientific and professional disciplines, offering a wide range of distinctive programs, including leading-edge degrees in STEM, business, arts, and health sciences. The University is at the forefront of research in areas such as atmospheric science, cancer treatment, and cybersecurity, driving innovation that impacts the world. Additionally, the newly launched School of Religion stands out as the first HBCU to offer a doctoral degree in theology, religious studies, and ministry. Contributing $530 million annually to both the regional and the Commonwealth of Virginia’s economy, Hampton plays a vital role in regional development while championing diversity, inclusion, and opportunity.

Recognized by Money Magazine as one of the “Best Colleges in America” and honored by Coastal Virginia as the “Best Private College,” Hampton University is a close-knit community of learners and educators representing 44 states and 32 territories and nations. Committed to nurturing intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and global citizenship, Hampton prepares its students to lead and thrive in an evolving world. For more information, visit www.hamptonu.edu.

NEW YORK, December 19, 2024 /3BL/ – A first-of-its-kind study on relapse among children treated for severe acute malnutrition (SAM) was published today in The Lancet Global Health one of the world’s most respected and long-standing peer-reviewed medical journals.

The groundbreaking study – originally released by Action Against Hunger in December 2023 by Action Against Hunger prior to being peer-reviewed – shows that a significant percentage of children successfully treated for severe acute malnutrition are vulnerable to relapse, providing valuable new insights that could save lives by improving the long-term impact of threadbare aid budgets. Globally, 47 million children are acutely malnourished, but before this study, little was known about their prognosis after treatment is completed.

Funded by USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, the study was co-authored by individuals from Action Against Hunger, the CDC, the London School of Tropical Medicine, and Washington University of St. Louis. Researchers tracked the outcomes of children treated for severe acute malnutrition (SAM), a life-threatening form of hunger, across three different countries: Mali, Somalia and South Sudan. The children’s progress was monitored for six months after treatment and compared to their otherwise healthy peers.

“Recent decades have seen major strides in our ability to effectively treat children suffering from SAM. Yet, major questions remained about what happens after children leave our treatment centers,” said Heather Stobaugh, PhD., Associate Director of Research at Action Against Hunger and the principal investigator of this study. “Now, we have more information to develop solutions that will help us develop post-care interventions and support to prevent the need for retreating children repeatedly, which ultimately leads to the use of limited resources most efficiently.”

Key Study Findings Include:

Need for Longer-Term Services – Children who recover from SAM are up to five times as likely than their non-previously malnourished peers to need future treatment for SAM. Prior to this study, it was assumed that children who recovered from malnutrition were as healthy as their peers, yet these new findings suggest the risk for poor outcomes is much higher once a child has experienced SAM. This potentially opens the door for follow-up services that could reduce the health impacts and costs associated with relapse.

Children Who Respond Better Are More Likely to Sustain Recovery – Children who respond better to treatment for malnutrition are more likely to sustain their recovery, even if they live in households dealing with food insecurity. Study authors hypothesize that those same extenuating biological or social factors that hindered their response to treatment likely continue to be problematic after treatment.

Boys More Vulnerable Than Girls – Researchers found that boys, as opposed to girls, are more likely to relapse to malnutrition. This coincides with other new findings showing boys are generally more susceptible to acute malnutrition than girls.

Community and Context Matters – Broader community and context matter more to sustaining recovery from malnutrition than factors associated with the specific individuals. This insight helps organizations like Action Against Hunger to better understand in which contexts children will be more vulnerable after initial recovery. Also, it could lead to solutions that focus on providing households greater access to community-wide services, such as healthcare, cash transfers, or other support services.

Urban versus Rural Context – Relapse rates are higher in rural areas (30-64%), where populations likely have limited access to healthcare, cash, or other assistance programs. Conversely, in urban Mogadishu, Somalia, researchers observed relatively lower relapse rates (23%), even among internally displaced populations. Study authors hypothesize that access to services such as health care, cash, remittances and food distributions play a significant role in determining the longer-term well-being of children after they recover from the life-threatening form of malnutrition: severe acute malnutrition.

Action Against Hunger is also actively researching innovative treatments for SAM. One promising area of focus is the gut microbiome. The bacteria in the gut break down food to supply essential nutrients that fuel the body. An imbalance in the healthy bacteria can have negative impacts on the digestive, immune, and nervous systems. The gut is also significantly negatively impacted by malnourishment. This discovery offers exciting possibilities: by comparing the microbiome of malnourished children with those of healthy children, researchers aim to identify ways to transform the microbiomes of SAM-affected children to be more resilient to potentially sustain recovery from malnutrition.

“There is still a lot we do not know, and as a next step, we hope to secure funding for future research that tests new approaches to provide children after initial recovery to ensure they sustain recovery and go on to thrive in childhood,” Stobaugh said. “We need evidence-based ways to make aid budgets stretch farther and act as efficiently as possible.”

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About Action Against Hunger 
Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 21 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across 59 countries, our 8,900 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.

We are thrilled to highlight our 17 female partners from our offices in Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Beijing who have successfully completed a six-month leadership development program titled “Moving Up”.

The program involved a series of workshops, one to one coaching with external experts, one to one mentoring and People Leader 360 Sessions with managers. Senior female leaders across APAC were invited for peer coaching to share their experiences with the group.

Our partners were able to relate the learning with their day-to-day work, equip themselves with the knowledge and tips to address challenges and biases and carry forward a repository of tools and resources to help them with their continuous professional development. Most importantly, the participants formed a network to share and learn from each other.

“At Northern Trust we continue to focus on developing our talent enabling them to thrive and realize their true potential.” Angelo Calvitto – Executive Vice President Asia Pacific.

Albertsons Companies associates held a winter coat drive across our Plano, Pleasanton and Arlington offices. The drive was a great success and our team collected 100 adult and kids coats to donate our partners at Rotary International and The Storehouse Community Center, where they’ll be distributed to individuals and families in need in our local communities. With colder temperatures approaching, these donations will provide much-needed warmth and support during the winter months.

Albertsons Cos. is grateful to everyone who donated, and to our volunteers for making this drive possible.

See original post on LinkedIn and read more about Albertsons Companies and our Recipe for Change on our website.

The past year, 2024, has been a defining moment for addressing critical global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, water conservation, plastic packaging and deforestation. As these issues grow increasingly interconnected, so too do the solutions. Companies, organizations, and governments worldwide recognize the need for a unified approach to achieve ambitious environmental targets and fulfill sustainability commitments.

Long before terms like climate action, regenerative agriculture, and circularity became mainstream, coalitions, nonprofits, and like-minded stakeholder groups were laying the groundwork. These early efforts not only raised awareness but also established frameworks for action. Today, these organizations are pivotal in guiding companies toward decarbonization, improving watershed health, reducing plastic waste, and implementing regenerative practices.

At the forefront of this movement is the Beverage Industry Environmental Roundtable (BIER). For the past 17 years, BIER has embodied the power of collaboration, setting the standard for industry-wide initiatives and fostering a culture of collective impact. Through data-driven insights, innovative methodologies, and best practice sharing, BIER has remained committed to advancing environmental sustainability solutions tailored to the beverage sector.

2024: A Year of Connection, Action, and Impact

This year, BIER continued to lead by example, driving progress on several fronts:

Industry-Specific Insights 
With the release of key publications such as the 2023 Water, Energy, and Emissions Efficiency Benchmarking Study and The True Cost of Water 3.0, BIER provided actionable data to empower its members. These resources not only enhance operational efficiency but also underline the importance of valuing water and energy in decision-making.Innovative Tools and Guidance 
The 2024 Water Circularity Playbook has been a game-changer, offering strategies to embed circular water use practices into beverage production.In-Person Collaboration 
BIER’s May Meeting at Pernod Ricard and September Fall Meeting at AB InBev were instrumental in fostering dialogue on topics such as Task Force on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure (CSRD) implementation, Forest, Land and Agriculture (FLAG) targets, and emerging regulations like European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). These discussions solidified shared commitments to sustainability roadmaps, watershed health, and regulatory alignment.Specialized Initiatives 
The BIER Coolition continued to address the environmental impact of commercial refrigeration, driving innovation in energy efficiency and circularity.Expanded Membership 
Welcoming members like Asahi Group Holdings and Monster Energy strengthened BIER’s collective expertise and reach.Leadership Transition 
We celebrated the appointment of Erica Pann as BIER’s new Executive Director, guiding BIER into its next chapter.

Continued Progress: Charco Bendito Watershed Collaboration

One of the most inspiring examples of BIER’s collaborative efforts is the Charco Bendito Watershed Collaboration. This multi-stakeholder initiative in the Municipality of Tlajomulco de Zúñiga, Jalisco, Mexico, continues to deliver meaningful progress in addressing shared water challenges. Throughout 2024, BIER members have built on the success of this project by:

Enhancing water quality and availability for local communities and ecosystems.Driving collective action among stakeholders to safeguard the Lerma Santiago watershed.Scaling insights from Charco Bendito to explore new watershed collaboration opportunities, including efforts in India, demonstrating the replicability of this impactful model.

Charco Bendito stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, proving that when industries, local communities, and environmental organizations come together, they can create lasting, positive change.

Collaboration at the Core of Progress

Collaboration is the cornerstone of BIER’s success. By bringing together diverse voices from across the beverage industry, BIER fosters a spirit of shared learning and innovation. As we look ahead to 2025, BIER remains steadfast in its mission to drive meaningful action. Together, we will continue to tackle interconnected challenges with the urgency they demand, advancing environmental sustainability in the beverage industry. Thank you to all BIER members, partners, and stakeholders who have made this progress possible.

December 19, 2024 /3BL/ – Bath & Body Works announces its inclusion on the Wall Street Journal’s ranking of Best Managed Companies. This is the second consecutive year that the brand has been included on the list.

The Management Top 250 ranking of America’s best-run companies is developed by the Drucker Institute and measures corporate management effectiveness. It examines performance in five key areas including customer satisfaction, employee engagement and development, innovation, social responsibility and financial strength.

“This is a great achievement for our brand and we’re proud to be represented on this list for the second year in a row,” says Gina Boswell, Chief Executive Officer at Bath & Body Works. “We have a best-in-class team at Bath & Body Works, this recognition demonstrates our commitment to ensuring our associates are engaged and empowered to drive sustainable long-term growth.”

To learn more about Bath & Body Works, visit bbwinc.com.

ABOUT BATH & BODY WORKS

Home of America’s Favorite Fragrances®, Bath & Body Works is a global leader in personal care and home fragrance, including top-selling collections for fine fragrance mist, body lotion and body cream, 3-wick candles, home fragrance diffusers and liquid hand soap. Powered by agility and innovation, the company’s predominantly U.S.-based supply chain enables the company to deliver quality, on-trend luxuries at affordable prices. Bath & Body Works serves and delights customers however and wherever they want to shop, from welcoming, in-store experiences at more than 1,880 company-operated Bath & Body Works locations in the U.S. and Canada and more than 500 international franchised locations to an online storefront at BathandBodyWorks.com.

Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act (SB 253)  

California’s Senate Bill 253 (SB 253), approved in 2023 and amended by SB 219, aims to increase transparency and accountability surrounding corporate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, criteria pollutants, and toxic air contaminants. The bill requires companies that meet certain revenue criteria to publicly report and verify their direct and indirect GHG emissions data. This legislative initiative, in conjunction with SB 261, aligns with California’s greater climate goals which seek to foster increased clarity surrounding climate initiatives and motivate businesses to take stronger action towards their sustainability and emissions goals.  

Who Must Comply?  

These requirements are applicable to any private or public entity that does business1 in California and has a revenue that exceeds $1 billion USD. Historically, public companies have been held to a certain standard of financial reporting; however, SB 253 expands these standards to include environmental disclosures for both public and private businesses. The listed criteria are designed to target large entities that are expected to have a more significant environmental impact than businesses that do not meet the revenue criteria. It is estimated that SB 253 will be applicable to more than 5,000 companies that are currently doing business within California.  

When Does Compliance Begin? 

Starting in 2026, on or before a date still to be determined by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), covered entities are required to publicly report their previous fiscal year Scope 1 and 2 emissions (e.g., 2025 data) on an annual basis. Beginning in 2027, the annual disclosure requirement expands to include Scope 3 emissions.

It is important to note that the Enforcement Notice released by CARB on December 5, 2024, recognizes the lead time necessary to collect and calculate such information for the first time. As a result, CARB is exercising enforcement discretion for the first cycle (2026), provided the entity demonstrates good faith efforts to comply.  

What Requirements Must be Met?  

The focus of SB 253 is for large entities to collect, verify, and disclose their GHG emissions in a consistent, verifiable manner.  

1. Scope 1, 2, and 3 GHG Emissions: 

Covered entities must calculate all direct and indirect GHG emissions in compliance with a globally accepted reporting standard, such as the GHG Protocol, and in an annual timeframe moving forward.  

For Scope 1 and 2 emissions, this data must be calculated and reported starting in 2026 with prior fiscal year (2025) data. Scope 3 must be disclosed in 2027 with prior fiscal year (2026) emissions data.  

2. Third-Party Assurance:  

To demonstrate data accuracy and provide confidence in the results, SB 253 mandates third-party assurance. The timing and level of assurance required is designed to increase, reflecting maturity of the covered entities’ emissions programs.  

Scope 1 and 2 emissions must receive limited assurance by a third party beginning in 2026 (2025 data) and reasonable assurance beginning in 2030 (2029 data).  Scope 3 emissions must receive limited assurance beginning in 2030 (2029 data); however, CARB is reviewing current and expected Scope 3 trends.

3. Public Disclosure: 

Once emissions have been calculated and received assurance, the results must be publicly disclosed. While the CARB is still discussing how and where to publish, we recommend publication on the reporting entity’s website. More information is expected to be published by CARB in July 2025. 

If compliance with the above items is not met, the bill has authorized the California Attorney General to leverage fines of up to $500,000 for failure to report emissions data. 

Why Does This Matter?  

With growing demand for transparency and accountability of a company’s climate-related impacts, it is important for organizations to present information that is accurate, verifiable, and consistent. The implications for failing to respond not only present financial penalties but can also influence stakeholders’ decision-making strategies and have lasting negative reputational impacts. By assessing such information, companies are able to better understand their impacts and leverage the data to inform their own sustainability strategy, demonstrating leadership and maturity of their programs.  

Ready to get Started?  

Discover how Antea Group can assist you with creating thorough and assurance-ready GHG inventories and provide support throughout the audit process itself.

Learn more about our Greenhouse Gas and Climate Change Advisory Services.  

Originally published by WSFL-TV

Childhood cancer is a life-altering diagnosis, not just for young patients but for their entire families. For over a decade, the Northwestern Mutual Foundation has been dedicated to funding research, supporting families, and creating “golden moments” to brighten their challenging journeys. Now, the foundation is making higher education more accessible through its Childhood Cancer Scholarship Program, a vital initiative to alleviate financial strain on affected families.

Continue reading here. 

More than 70 feeding programs received financial support as part of $500,000 monthlong campaignSurprise funding will help smaller agencies with senior mobile food programs, weekend backpack efforts, food pantries

GREENVILLE, S.C., December 19, 2024 /3BL/ – Duke Energy is wrapping up a monthlong initiative to support organizations that address food deserts, insecurities and inequities across South Carolina by announcing more than $300,000 in surprise microgrants and contributions to community organizations across the state.

The announcement concludes a monthlong campaign by Duke Energy and the Duke Energy Foundation to support organizations in South Carolina that address food insecurities and inequities across the state. In total, the initiative provided over $500,000 to feeding programs through Giving Tuesday supporting organizations including Mill Village Farms, Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, FoodShare South Carolina, Harvest Hope Food Bank and AIM, among many others.

“If you grew up in South Carolina, you likely know that a ‘surcee’ is a small, unexpected gift,” said Tim Pearson, Duke Energy’s South Carolina president. “Giving Tuesday is the perfect opportunity to give a little something extra and highlight the great work these organizations do throughout the year to help keep our friends and neighbors from going hungry.”

The microgrants and contributions were not solicited by the receiving organizations. The ‘surcee’ funding opportunities recognize the important gaps these typically smaller agencies fill in the neighborhoods they serve.

A complete list of recipients can be found here.

Duke Energy employees also provided their time volunteering with these and other organizations throughout the month to assist in packing and distributing food boxes, preparing backpacks for weekend food programs for students and providing sweat equity to senior mobile food programs and other feeding initiatives in their neighborhoods.

Every bit of support to local food banks or soup kitchens is helpful any time of year but particularly during the holiday season. To find a community feeding partner near you, search online at SC211.org or text “FOOD” to 211211.

“We also know customers struggling to put food on the table are making decisions about what bills to pay at home, including their electricity bill,” Pearson said. “That’s why it’s important for us to also share information that can assist families to manage their energy bills when times are tough.” To learn more about these programs, visit duke-energy.com/SeasonalSavings.

Quotes

“Food insecurity is a growing issue in our area as the price of groceries continues to rise,” said Shelley Price, executive director of GRASP in Chester County. “The generous grant funding from Duke Energy not only provides much needed food for our pantry, but also serves as a lifeline for those who are doing all they can to make ends meet. As the holiday season approaches, let’s remember that while we are shopping and planning family gatherings, many of our neighbors are struggling just to put food on the table.” 
 “Duke Energy’s partnership with this ministry is making such a difference in the lives of our recipients – providing a hot meal and a visit by a volunteer,” said Laura Boles, president and CEO of Mobile Meals. “The funds will ensure that we can carry out that mission, improving the lives of so many deserving neighbors across Spartanburg County.” 
 “On behalf of the 22.7% of the food insecure children in Florence County, a big thank you to the Duke Energy Foundation for the recent donation,” said Diane Welch, founder and president of Help 4 Kids. “Families in Florence County are dealing every week with increasing food cost, and the bags their children receive each Friday is helpful in reducing some of the stress of food insecurity.” 
 “This generous grant from the Duke Energy Foundation will help us make bulk purchases of a wide variety of healthy groceries that will provide extra food for low-income individuals, seniors and families who don’t always have the money to pay their bills and afford food too,” said Mike Harlin, board chair of Golden Corner Food Pantry in Oconee County.

Duke Energy Foundation 
The Duke Energy Foundation provides more than $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. The company’s electric utilities serve 8.4 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 54,800 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky.

Duke Energy is executing an ambitious clean energy transition, keeping reliability, affordability and accessibility at the forefront as the company works toward net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including expanded energy storage, renewables, natural gas and nuclear.

More information is available at duke-energy.com and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition.

Contact: Ryan Mosier 
24-Hour: 800.559.3853

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