Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. announced a multi-year partnership with the Red Cross, the largest humanitarian network in the world, aimed at providing support to families and communities in need across the United States and Canada.
Over the next three years, KDP will provide $1.5M in financial support to the American Red Cross and Canadian Red Cross. In addition, the company will offer in-kind product donations and empower its employees and customers to support positive local impact through efforts such as volunteerism, blood drives in the United States, mobile food banks and emergency relief efforts.
KDP SVP and chief sustainability officer, Monique Oxender, commented in the announcement: "Emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, North America is facing exacerbated crises – more frequent and intense disasters, ongoing challenges in maintaining a strong blood supply in the U.S. and food insecurity in Canada. Through our unique position as a North American beverage company, our new partnership with the Red Cross will help build resilience in communities in which many of our employees live and work while also providing emergency support."
In the U.S., KDP will be a member of the American Red Cross Disaster Responder Program, helping ensure the organization is prepared to meet the needs of people affected by disasters big and small across the U.S. KDP will also support the organization's Biomedical Services, co-hosting blood drives at its Company and customer locations and creating community volunteer opportunities while raising awareness for life-saving blood donation. Additionally, hot and cold beverages from KDP's vast portfolio of brands will be distributed at American Red Cross blood donation sites and in staff lounges.
"At the American Red Cross, we count on Disaster Responder members like Keurig Dr Pepper because they understand the importance of being prepared before a disaster strikes so we can respond immediately," Anne McKeough, chief development officer at the American Red Cross, added in the announcement. "We're extremely grateful for Keurig Dr Pepper's donation, which will help ensure we can continue to build our capacity and resources ahead of time, keep up with the pace of frequent disasters and assist people in their darkest hours."
In Canada, KDP will become the first beverage company to sponsor the Canadian Red Cross's Community Health and Wellness programs. In addition to donating products for the Canadian Red Cross's food delivery programs, KDP's financial support will contribute to new and existing programs that provide Canadian communities with greater access to essential health and social resources, such as medical equipment loans, wellness checks, transportation and food services, to individuals and families in need. KDP Canada will also support the annual fundraising gala in Montreal in 2023 and 2024.
