North Charleston, South Carolina – With the COVID-19 pandemic placing a big strain on non-profits in the tri-county (Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester) area, the Employees Community Fund of Boeing (ECF) South Carolina Chapter has fast-tracked the process to provide emergency funding to qualified organizations. The fund, a collection of donations from Boeing teammates, has elected to give $10,000 to the Lowcountry Food Bank.
“We are so grateful to the Boeing Employees Community Fund for their generous gift. The $10,000 will support our hunger-relief efforts throughout the Lowcountry in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Pat Walker, Lowcountry Food Bank President and CEO. “We can only continue to fill increased meal gaps for our neighbors with the support of our community partners.”
The Lowcountry Food Bank reported a 500% increase in people needing food assistance in March as the organization worked to safely help the community’s most vulnerable residents, including seniors and children.
“I am proud to work for a company that gives teammates the opportunity to impact the community in such a positive way,” said Kasie Dugan, Sr. IT Systems and Data Analyst, and president of BSC Chapter.
As part of the fast-tracked process, Boeing’s other community partners are now able to use 2019 ECF funds to ease financial burden from the COVID-19 crisis.
“Thank you for the support from all of the Boeing employees, and we are especially thankful that we can use these funds to truly help those who need it now,” said Cindy Hay Johnson, the Executive Director for Camp Happy Days, a Lowcountry non-profit that provides free programs for children diagnosed with cancer.
The Employees Community Fund was created in 1948 as a way to manage employee contributions for greater impact in the community. Since then, Boeing teammates have donated more than one billion dollars to local communities through ECF.
In South Carolina, teammates have given more than $1.7 million in grants to dozens of organizations in the tri-county area.
To find more information about the Employees Community Fund of Boeing, visit the website here: https://www.boeing.com/principles/community-engagement.page.