The COVID-19 crisis demands we work together, find the calm where we can, and most importantly, take care of each other. Our approach has been, and will continue to be, prioritizing the safety and wellbeing of our Associates, doing our part to prevent the spread of the virus and caring for our communities—both people and pets. The Five Principles guide and inspire our actions in these uncertain times to help us create the world we want tomorrow.
Together with our companies around the world and our charitable foundations, Mars is proud to make an initial cash and in-kind donation of $20 million to support the communities where we operate and the most vulnerable in our supply chain. This aid includes donations to local health care facilities and medical professionals.
U.S. Teams Donate Ventilators and Personal Care Supplies
Mars Associates in the United States are finding unique and nimble solutions to support the medical communities where we live and operate.
In just three weeks, the Mars Fishcare team in Chalfont, Pennsylvania, changed production lines to produce nearly 300 gallons of hand sanitizer. The entire lot was then donated to first responders at the Bucks County Emergency Management Agency as well as the Central Bucks Emergency Medical Services.
Across our Banfield, BluePearl and VCA veterinary hospitals and clinics in the U.S., Mars Veterinary Health North America centralized its available supply and donated 13 ventilators and 1,200 N95 masks to help our human health care professionals on the frontlines of COVID-19.
Additionally, our team in Hackettstown, New Jersey, organized an effort to donate personal care items to the Hackettstown Medical Center.
Mars France Associates Deliver PPE to Frontline Medical Workers
Mars France Associates have also rallied together in the fight against COVID-19—donating 27,000 protective materials to health care workers and 150,000 euros ($175,599) to a French Hospital Foundation.
Brazil Team Donates Medical Supplies
Associates donated 1 million Brazilian real ($176,195) of supplies and medical equipment.
Mars Indonesia Joins Forces to Fight Against COVID-19
Mars Indonesia has responded to our commitment to help our local community by providing $33,000 worth of personal hygiene and medical supplies supported by Mars Wrigley, Mars Cocoa Enterprise and Mars China.
Our Mars Sustainable Solutions team on Badi Island coordinated with island leaders to donate soap, disinfectant, refillable jerry cans and plastic buckets for local residents. In our cocoa bean sourcing area in the Luwu and North Luwu Regency we provided PPE, including facemasks and protective coats, to border guards and officers working to monitor and prevent the spread of the virus.
And in Makassar, where our cocoa factory is located, we donated 1,000 latex gloves, a microchemical coverall suit, a goggle medical mask, safety boots, gloves and an N95 mask to medical personnel and frontline health workers at Hasanuddin University Hospital, which is an initial screening hospital for COVID-19 patients in South Sulawesi.
One Mars Iberia Makes an Impact Across the Region
Since so many hospitals are in need of protective equipment and medical supplies, the team provided 78,654 euros ($85,240) to support the Red Cross.
Additionally, our Royal Canin team acquired and distributed 5,000 pieces of PPE and lent 10 volumetric respirators for hospitals in Spain. The team also sourced equipment for medical staff in Portugal.
Additionally, four AniCura veterinary clinics across Spain lent their ventilators to local hospitals in Madrid and Barcelona, cities hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Associates at the Arévalo Petcare factory raised over 2,900 euros ($3,142) in a crowdfunding effort to create screens for medical masks. The team met its goal in less than three weeks and by using a 3D printer, were able to produce and deliver over 1000 masks and 150 gowns for local health centers, retirement care facilities and hospitals.
Another group of Mars Associates are working from home to produce and distribute over 250 gowns to local hospitals near Barcelona. And yet another Associate is working with his wife and son in their home near Barcelona, to make protective clothing from trash bags and masks using a 3D printer.
Mars Associates are known for rallying together in times of challenge. Now is one of those times. We are inspired by their actions and collaboration to accomplish the extraordinary.
