Diageo North America donates 10 million aluminium water cans to Convoy of Hope

One of the largest premium beverage companies, Diageo North America, is providing ten million 12-ounce aluminium water cans to the humanitarian charity Convoy of Hope to help local communities in the United States affected by natural and humanitarian catastrophes. The aluminium cans will be stored strategically for deployment to communities and humanitarian agencies during times of need.

Diageo's Lincolnway production complex in Plainfield, Illinois, which makes malt-based drinks and spirits-based ready-to-drink cocktails, fills the cans. Convoy of Hope will deliver the cans after they have been supplied to its Springfield, MO, distribution hub and other distribution partners nationwide.

"Diageo North America's supply and production functions are world-class and known for nimble, efficient, and innovative operations. During the pandemic, we quickly re-engineered to deliver much needed sanitiser. Today, our effort to produce ten million cans of drinking water builds on our tradition of innovation and directly supports communities in the U.S. that have been struck by disaster. We are proud of our ability to use our scale and the opportunity to partner with Convoy of Hope to build up essential resources for crisis response," said Marsha McIntosh, SVP of Supply Strategy Planning and Logistics for Diageo North America.

Convoy of Hope, a worldwide philanthropic entity headquartered in Springfield, MO, assists those experiencing poverty, hunger, and distress. Convoy of Hope offers disaster assistance on a global scale and extends its support to communities facing various challenges. This support includes children's feeding programmes, agricultural training, initiatives promoting women's empowerment, and community activities held in urban and rural areas.

Over the previous year, Convoy of Hope collaborated with many entities, such as churches, companies, civic groups, and government agencies, to assist areas impacted by natural disasters like tornadoes, floods, wildfires, and other similar events. Convoy of Hope helped respond to 36 catastrophes that occurred in the United States during the year 2022. Thus far in the current year, the group has assisted in the aftermath of 37 disasters in the United States.

"Diageo's donation of ten million cans will fill a critical need during Convoy's disaster relief efforts. We are honoured to receive this donation, which will help us meet the essential drinking water needs of families and communities in distress," said Ethan Forhetz, VP of Public Engagement at Convoy of Hope.

Diageo Community Activity and Relief Efforts (CARES) is in charge of the initiative, which allows employees to volunteer, raise money, and donate to local causes in the US and Canada. The hotel industry and its employees have received direct money for pandemic assistance via Diageo CARES, and the corporation has supported disaster relief initiatives and contributions around the United States for the last decade. Communities in the United States Virgin Islands (2017) and Kentucky (2021) were among those who received financial and volunteer aid in the wake of devastating tornadoes and other severe weather events.