HERSHEY, Pa. -- The Hershey Co. has made a $100,000 donation to Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) and its participation in the Believe in Heroes campaign. The donation will help support WWP's numerous programs, which are addressing the urgent needs of this generation's injured service members.
To promote the Believe in Heroes campaign and raise awareness of Wounded Warrior Project, Hershey is tying its support of the campaign to Hershey's Semi-Sweet Baking Chips.
Consumers who pick up a bag of Hershey's Semi-Sweet Baking Chips they will see a "Help Us Honor Heroes" burst with a QR code that takes consumers to the WWP website where they can make a donation to support U.S. veterans. This will be enhanced by in-store merchandising and a coupon for a Hershey's baking product.
"One of the ways we're saying thank you to the military and veterans this year is through the Believe in Heroes campaign and Wounded Warriors Project," said Bobby Agarwal, director of the Snacks Food & Beverage Portfolio. "There is such a natural emotional connection between Hershey's baking chips, the love a homemade baked good can convey, and the feelings of appreciation for the men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country."
Recent estimates indicate that approximately 1,000,000 veterans will be entering civilian life and seeking work over the next four years. The urgent need for veteran employment combined with Hershey's aggressive growth and need for highly skilled employees has led Hershey to expand its veterans hiring initiatives. Through public-private partnerships and a focus on veteran recruiting, Hershey now has more than 500 veteran employees, and more than 300 members of its Veterans Business Resource Group, which supports transitioning veterans, educates Hershey's workforce on the skills and experiences of veterans, and builds a strong network for veterans within Hershey and the community.
Recently, Hershey expanded its commitment to hiring veterans, and has joined other leading U.S. companies in the 100,000 Jobs Mission. Together, these companies have committed to hiring 100,000 transitioning service members and military veterans by 2020.
"We're proud that our longstanding commitment to veterans extends back to World War I and II and continues today through our expanded veterans hiring initiatives," said Terry O'Day, senior vice president and chief supply chain officer. "With a growing population of veteran employees and programs in place to help them be successful in their new workplace, it is an exciting time for veterans to be part of Hershey."
During the wars, Hershey provided milk chocolate bars and "Field Ration D" bars to troops. Hershey continues to support U.S. service men and women serving both domestically and in overseas conflicts, including through the company's product donation program, in which Hershey sends products to men and women serving in the military. During the past 10 years, Hershey has sent care packages to the troops consisting of more than 4,500 cases of product, with a value of nearly $500,000.
Earlier this year, a team of 23 Hershey employees joined together with a group from the WWP to participate in a West Virginia Tough Mudder. Tough Mudder participants have raised millions of dollars for WWP.
This Veteran's Day, members of the Hershey's Veterans Business Resource Group will be volunteering at veterans and military organizations in four communities across the country. "It's an important time of the year to recognize those who have served and sacrificed for our country," said O'Day. "We also want to do our part in helping those organizations that do so much to support our veterans across the country."
The Hershey Co., based in Hershey, Pa., is the largest producer of quality chocolate in North America and a global leader in chocolate and sugar confectionery. With revenues of more than $6.6 billion, Hershey offers confectionery products under more than 80 brand names, including Hershey's, Reese's, Hershey's Kisses, Hershey's Bliss, Hershey's Special Dark, Kit Kat, Twizzlers, Jolly Rancher and Ice Breakers.
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