International Paper Donates Boxes to The Global FoodBanking Network to Respond to COVID-19 in Mexico
MEMPHIS, Tenn., May 7, 2020 /3BL Media/– International Paper (NYSE: IP) is taking action to address hunger and meet critical community needs during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. The world’s leading producer of renewable, fiber-based packaging, pulp and paper has committed to donating hundreds of thousands of essential corrugated boxes to The Global FoodBanking Network (GFN) to address hunger in the most vulnerable communities around the world.
In Mexico, 200,000 boxes are being used to transport food throughout 22 communities supported by GFN member Banco de Alimentos de México (BAMX), the national food banking association in Mexico. BAMX is reporting an estimated 51-60% increase in demand for emergency food assistance.
Food banks around the world are seeing an overwhelming increase in demand for food aid, and GFN plays an important role in supporting local food banks that are on the front lines of providing hunger relief during this crisis.
“More than half of the food banks GFN serves are in Latin America, where necessary measures to contain the virus are having devastating effects on low-income families. Food banks are on the front lines of this global crisis,” said Lisa Moon, President and CEO, The Global FoodBanking Network. “GFN is providing technical and financial support in all countries where we have members to ensure all vulnerable communities are able access food during this time.”
“Our products are a critical part of the supply chain required to produce and deliver food, pharmaceuticals, hygiene products and emergency supplies for consumers around the world,” said Dr. Alissa Campbell Shaw, senior manager, Community Engagement, International Paper and executive director, The IP Foundation. “Our boxes are essential for the charities in our communities around the world. They enable these organizations to cast a wider safety net for those in need.”
Since 2018, International Paper has worked with The Global FoodBanking Network to expand child-focused programming to feed food insecure and undernourished children in Brazil, Mexico, Canada, Poland, Spain and Italy. In response to the pandemic, International Paper began working with GFN to determine where its corrugated boxes could be used to ensure the safe transport of healthy and nutritious food within the GFN network.
“When we learned of the increased need in Mexico, a country in which we operate 15 locations, we knew this was an opportunity to provide these communities with the essential products required to distribute food,” said Campbell Shaw. “I applaud all our employees in Mexico, especially those on the production lines at our Monterrey, Nuevo León and Ixtaczoquitlán, Veracruz, box plants who are working safely to produce this essential resource during this trying time.”
About International Paper
International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a leading global producer of renewable fiber-based packaging, pulp and paper products with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, Europe, North Africa and Russia. We produce corrugated packaging products that protect and promote goods and enable worldwide commerce; pulp for diapers, tissue, and other personal hygiene products that promote health and wellness; and papers that facilitate education and communication. We are headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., employ more than 50,000 colleagues and serve more than 25,000 customers in 150 countries. Net sales for 2019 were $22 billion. For more information about International Paper, our products and global citizenship efforts, please visit internationalpaper.com.
About The Global FoodBanking Network
The Global FoodBanking Network (GFN) is an international non-profit organization that nourishes the world’s hungry through uniting and advancing food banks in more than 40 countries. GFN focuses on combating hunger and preventing food waste by providing expertise, directing resources, sharing knowledge and developing connections that increase efficiency, ensure food safety and reach more people facing hunger. In 2018, 943 GFN member food banks rescued over 500 million kilograms of food and grocery product and redirected it to feed 9.6 million people through a network of more than 55,000 social service and community-based organizations. For more information please visit www.foodbanking.org.
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