Corporate Social Responsibility
The Kroger Co. Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation Launches Emergency COVID-19 Response Fund
The Kroger Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation announced the establishment of its Emergency COVID-19 Response Fund to help families disproportionately impacted by the Coronavirus outbreak. Thanks to this new fund, both Kroger and the previously stated foundation hope to give $10 million in local, state, and national grants to pandemic response efforts. "We recognize the need in our communities is urgent and increasing every day," said Keith Dailey, Kroger's group vice president of corporate affairs in a news release. "Kroger's Zero Hunger | Zero Waste social impact plan is our commitment to help create communities free of hunger and waste—and never has this mission been more important. In response to the overwhelming outreach from our partners and customers who want to support our mission, we're providing new ways to meaningfully give back in stores and online during this unprecedented time."
Toshiba Celebrates Sustainability with Recycling & Reforesting Efforts
Toshiba has announced it is recycling nearly 187 U.S. tons of e-waste, which is from spent toner consumables, and replanting of 37,083 trees in 2019. Toshiba said that for every 8,333 sheets of paper customers print, a new tree is planted. This e-waste will be turned into reusable material through a zero-thermal recovery process. "Preserving and protecting our environment is a primary focus of ours at Toshiba," stated Toshiba America Business Solutions President and Chief Executive Officer Scott Maccabe in a press release. "Though we are pleased with our current recycling and reforestation results, we want to continually improve while operating more sustainably within every community our employees and customers live and work."
Partnerships
Tim Hortons U.S. Partners with Uber Eats for First-Ever Delivery Option
Tim Hortons U.S. has announced it is partnering with Uber Eats. Customers are now able to have Tim Hortons items like their coffee, Iced Capp beverages, and baked goods delivered to their home. With the announcement, Tim Hortons has also announced that, for a limited time, with any order of $5 or more, a free 10-pack of Timbits will be included with the purchase. That limited time started April 17 and runs through April 30. To take advantage of this option, customers need to download the Uber Eats app, choose the closest participating Tim Hortons location and then choose the items they want to be delivered.
Raising Cane's Launches 'Cane's in the Moment' initiative
Chicken finger-focused restaurant chain Raising Cane’s has announced it is launching the Cane’s in the Moment virtual entertainment series initiative, which hopes to celebrate serendipitous moments that bring joy and happiness to customers. This initiative will feature a different artist or group every Wednesday and Friday through April 29, and each concert Raising Cane’s will host a fundraiser for healthcare workers and disaster relief organizations. “As we all adjust to the current realities of life, it’s easy to get bogged down and focus on everything you aren’t doing,” Raising Cane’s Founder, Owner & Co-CEO Todd Graves said in the article linked above. “So we wanted to do what we could to spread some joy and entertainment while also showing gratitude for the brave men and women that are serving on the front lines. We invite everyone to join the ‘Cane’s In The Moment’ initiative as we try to shine a light during these dark times.”
Grocery
For Grocery Workers, the Need for Mental Health Care May Outlast COVID-19
For grocery workers across the country, their jobs have become more stressful, but also, so has the commute and customer interaction. Companies have said, in the above CNBC article, that a greater need for mental health services is anticipated for those essential workers.
“Working these jobs is stressful under normal circumstances,” said Vaile Wright, director of clinical research and quality for the American Psychological Association, in the above CNBC article. “Then, you add the current situation, which is they are knowingly putting themselves at risk of exposure and have been deemed an essential worker, but I imagine don’t feel like they’re being paid as an essential worker. So you have this almost disconnect, too, where you’re being asked to do this extraordinary thing.”