Coke Consolidated’s Response Team is on the ground in Kentucky and volunteering to help teammates and community members impacted by recent storms and flooding.
“We want to help residents stay safe and recover any way we can, whether it’s providing clean drinking water, clearing trees and debris, or just letting people know we care. We are praying for these communities and we’re here to serve them during this challenging time,” said Ellison Glenn, Coke Consolidated’s Market Unit Vice President and General Manager in Kentucky.
The Response Team provides practical support to those affected by hardship and natural disaster. Coke Consolidated also is supporting impacted colleagues through its Teammate Support Fund, which was created for teammates facing financial hardship immediately after a natural disaster or an unforeseen personal hardship.
Coke Consolidated also donated more than 64,500 bottles of water to local non-profits, first responders and hospitals, as part of larger efforts from across the Coca-Cola system.
The Coca-Cola Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Coca-Cola Company, has awarded a $400,000 grant to help the American Red Cross provide food, shelter, essential supplies and critical emotional support to those left in need by the floods in Kentucky. Additionally, the company’s North America Operating Unit (NAOU) is contributing $75,000 to local nonprofit organizations on the front lines of the ongoing rescue and relief efforts.
In total, NAOU, Coke Consolidated and independent bottling partners Middlesboro Coca-Cola Bottling Works and C.C. Clark have donated more than 700,000 bottles of DASANI water and vitaminwater zero sugar, to provide much-needed hydration to flood victims forced to flee their homes and in areas lacking access to clean water.
Truckloads of beverages have been sent to first responders, hospitals and nonprofit partners including Good360 (which works with local state emergency agencies and other local organizations to source and deliver product donations that meet pressing needs) and World Central Kitchen (which mobilizes local chefs and volunteers to provide meals in response to crises), with more on the way.
Click here to read more about The Coca-Cola Company’s recovery efforts.
