The Hershey Company Recognized as One of America’s Top 50 Community-Minded Companies
Hershey Recognized by Bloomberg, National Conference on Citizenship
and Points of Light
HERSHEY, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 19, 2012--
The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) was recognized as one of America’s most
community-minded companies in The Civic 50 survey – the first
comprehensive ranking of S&P 500 corporations that best use their time,
talent, and resources to improve the quality of life in the communities
where they do business. This award comes shortly after Hershey was named
to the Dow Jones Sustainability North American Index and moved up 172
spots in Newsweek’s Green Rankings.
The survey was conducted by the National Conference on Citizenship
(NCoC) and Points of Light, experts on civic engagement, in partnership
with Bloomberg LP. The full Civic 50 ranking is posted at www.businessweek.com/interactive_reports/civic_50_2012.html.
“We are very proud to be included in The Civic 50 and be
recognized for our commitment to ‘doing well by doing good,’” said James
George, Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility, The Hershey
Company. “Hershey’s long history of philanthropy began with our founder
Milton Hershey, who preferred to take a hands-on approach to solving
community challenges, and we will continue to do the same as we expand
our work in the cocoa communities of West Africa and the communities
where our employees call home.”
At the heart of Hershey’s community efforts is the well-being of
children, especially those at risk. Hershey has a number of programs and
partnerships enabling the company to have a positive impact on society
and local communities around the world:
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Cocoa community support: In 2012, Hershey announced a $10
million commitment in West Africa over the next five years to
accelerate community programs and in October, Hershey announced that
it will source 100% certified cocoa for its global chocolate portfolio
by 2020.
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United Way giving: Hershey’s annual United Way Campaign raised
a record-breaking $2 million in 2011 thanks to generous employee
donations and Hershey’s corporate match. The United Way Campaign
contributed to the $9 million of monetary and product donations
Hershey made in 2011. Hershey also works directly with United Way
Worldwide on a number of grants for community initiatives such as an
after-school program for children of migrant workers in Shanghai.
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Employee volunteerism: In 2011, Hershey employees donated
10,000 volunteer hours, many through Hershey’s “Dollars for Doers”
program, which supports dedicated employee volunteers with a donation
to their charity of choice.
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Youth activity: In 2012, Hershey’s Track & Field Games
(HT&FG) celebrated 35 years of encouraging kids ages 9-14 to be active
through running, jumping and throwing events at over 1,000 free local,
state and provincial track meets. HT&FG is the longest-running youth
activity program of its kind in North America with more than 10
million youth participating since its inception.
Companies included in The Civic 50 were evaluated on seven
specific metrics: leadership, measurement and strategy, design, employee
civic health, community partnerships, cause alignment and transparency.
Winning companies employed increasingly sophisticated tools to measure
the impact of community engagement and alignment of these programs with
their business’ core competencies. More than two-thirds of the top 50
companies say they “frequently” or “always” use the professional skills
of their workforce to address social issues and real community
challenges. Sixty-six percent of the top 50 say they have
“mission-level” alignment with their community partners, meaning they
work with them on the highest strategic level, not just on individual
programs or events.
“NCoC is proud to be part of The Civic 50 launch,” said Ilir
Zherka, Executive Director of NCoC. “The Civic 50 demonstrates
that the best companies in America are deeply committed to strengthening
their respective communities. Leaders of these companies are aligning
the expertise of their companies and people with the needs of their
communities, and then measuring the impact of their programs. NCoC hopes The
Civic 50 will spur companies throughout our country to do the same.”
“As a company committed to community engagement and improvement,
Bloomberg is proud to have partnered with the National Conference on
Citizenship and Points of Light on this important ranking,” said Norman
Pearlstine, Chairman, Bloomberg Businessweek and Chief Content
Officer, Bloomberg LP. “The Civic 50 is a pioneering addition to
the Bloomberg Rankings inventory. It features a comprehensive,
transparent methodology to identify companies that have taken a
leadership role in developing and implementing civic engagement
programs. We believe it will raise awareness of the importance of a
civic consciousness through the U.S. corporate world.”
“Today, in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, we can see clearly how much
corporate America pitches in – with expertise, talent, time and money –
to help communities meet critical needs,” said Jackie Norris, executive
director of the Points of Light Corporate Institute. “In times of
disaster and in relative calm, The Civic 50’s work is
transformative, innovative and critically important.”
To learn more about The Hershey Company’s Corporate Social
Responsibility efforts please visit: http://www.thehersheycompany.com/social-responsibility.aspx
About The Hershey Company
The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is the largest producer of quality
chocolate in North America and a global leader in chocolate and sugar
confectionery. Headquartered in Hershey, Pa., The Hershey Company has
operations throughout the world and approximately 14,000 employees. With
revenues of more than $6 billion, Hershey offers confectionery products
under more than 80 brand names, including such iconic brands as Hershey's,
Reese's, Hershey's Kisses, Hershey's Bliss,
Hershey's Special Dark, Kit Kat, Twizzlers, Jolly
Rancher and Ice Breakers. Hershey also offers premium and
artisan chocolate products under such brands as Scharffen Berger
and Dagoba through the Artisan Confections Company, a wholly
owned subsidiary. The company is focused on growing its presence in key
international markets such as China and Mexico while continuing to build
its competitive advantage in the United States and Canada.
For more than 100 years, The Hershey Company has been a leader in making
a positive difference in the communities where its employees live, work
and do business. Corporate Social Responsibility is an integral part of
the company’s global business strategy, which includes goals and
priorities focused on fair and ethical business dealings, environmental
stewardship, fostering a desirable workplace for employees, and
positively impacting society and local communities. Milton Hershey
School, established in 1909 by the company's founder and administered by
Hershey Trust Company, provides a quality education, housing, and
medical care at no cost to children in social and financial need.
Students of Milton Hershey School are direct beneficiaries of The
Hershey Company's success.
Source: The Hershey Company
The Hershey Company
Jeff Beckman, 717-534-8090
jbeckman@hersheys.com