Industry Suppliers Respond, Adapt to Pandemic
Hershey, General Mills and ExxonMobil are all giving back in innovative ways.
Apr 27, 2020 | 2 min read
ALEXANDRIA, Va.—Suppliers across the United States are shifting their resources to assist communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Companies like Hershey, General Motors, General Mills and ExxonMobil are all working to produce much needed supplies, products and foods to support their fellow Americans.
The Hershey Company is committing $1 million to produce face masks, it announced last week, among numerous other community response efforts it is undertaking in the wake of COVID-19. The funds will be used to acquire, install and staff a new manufacturing line dedicated to the operation, which will be capable of producing up to 45,000 masks per day. The new line, produced in collaboration with JR Automation and General Motors, is set to become operational in late May.
In response to COVID-19, General Mills also announced two new initiatives in partnership with Feeding America. General Mills facilities will manufacture and donate $5 million worth of product to Feeding America food banks. Whole grain cereals, frozen whole grain waffles and granola bars will be distributed within Feeding America’s network of 200 food banks.
Additionally, General Mills is creating an option for employees to work at food-related charities in the Twin Cities while retaining their regular pay. The program is intended for employees near the company’s Minneapolis headquarters at essential non-profit organizations that are fighting hunger during the pandemic.
ExxonMobil is also giving back by boosting production and reconfiguring manufacturing operations in Louisiana to make medical-grade hand sanitizer, the company announced in a recent press release. The final products will be donated to health-care workers and first responders across the country. The company’s goal is to produce 160,000 gallons or nearly five million bottles. ExxonMobil is also working to manufacture medical face shields and masks, alongside the Global Center for Medical Innovation.
NACS has compiled resources to help the convenience retail community navigate the COVID-19 crisis. For news updates and guidance, visit our coronavirus resources page.
Crisis management
