Campbell Soup Company has received the 2010 Corporate Engagement Award of Excellence from the Points of Light Institute for building strong and effective volunteer programs to improve the communities where it operates.
The Points of Light Institute recognized Campbell's extraordinary employee volunteer efforts in its hometown of Camden, one of the nation's poorest cities, and especially noted the company's work on hunger relief. Campbell partners with local food banks to sort and distribute food; Campbell chefs teach cooking classes and nutrition education in local schools; and Campbell employees volunteer at the Cathedral Kitchen, the city's largest feeding program.
Campbell's employee volunteer program is part of its "Nourishing Our Neighbors" community initiative, which is a key element of the company's overall corporate social responsibility program. Campbell's program encourages skills-based volunteering to make the most meaningful impact in local communities. For example, Campbell's information technology employees install computer networks at libraries. Campbell estimates that its U.S. employees volunteer more than 16,000 hours a year.
Campbell's President and CEO Douglas R. Conant said, "We deeply appreciate this award, as it recognizes the efforts and dedication of Campbell employees who freely give of their time and share their expertise to help others. Our company is absolutely committed to making a difference in the communities in which we operate and to nourishing peoples' lives everywhere, every day."
Since its inception in 1993, the Points of Light Corporate Engagement Award of Excellence has been recognized as one of the most prestigious awards programs honoring outstanding employee volunteer programs. Campbell met the award's criteria of excellence which includes incorporating service as part of its strategic goals, measuring and evaluating the results of the volunteer program and tackling serious social problems within its communities.
"As we continue to usher in a renewed surge of civic engagement, we are seeing an impressive number of organizations stepping up and answering the call to service," said Michelle Nunn, president and CEO of Points of Light Institute. "It is truly inspiring to see companies like Campbell leading the way, leveraging their unique assets and mobilizing their employees and retirees to make a meaningful difference in their communities."
Through its "Nourishing" corporate social responsibility program, Campbell has been widely recognized for making a positive impact in the workplace, in the marketplace and in the communities in which it operates. The company has been added to the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes, named to the 100 Best Corporate Citizens List by Corporate Responsibility magazine, ranked second in 2008 and 2009 for Best Corporate Reputation by Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship, Reputation Institute, named to the list of 2010 World's Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere magazine and named a Catalyst Award Winner in 2010. Campbell recently published its 2010 Corporate Social Responsibility report, which describes the company's strategies, policies and programs that will help drive the company toward four comprehensive goals by 2020. The report can be accessed in its entirety at www.campbellsoupcompany.com/csr.
The Points of Light Corporate Engagement Award support the mission of Points of Light Institute to inspire, equip and mobilize people to change the world through volunteer service. The award honors the company's overall employee and retiree volunteer efforts highlighting the strategic vision, organizational policies, practices and community service programs. It is given once a year at the National Conference on Volunteering and Service in the summer.
The award was presented in New York City on June 29 during the National Conference on Volunteering and Service, the world's largest gathering of volunteer and service leaders from the nonprofit, government and corporate sectors.
About Campbell Soup Company
Campbell Soup Company is a global manufacturer and marketer of high-quality foods and simple meals, including soup and sauces, baked snacks and healthy beverages. Founded in 1869, the company has a portfolio of market-leading brands, including Campbell's, Pepperidge Farm, Arnott's and V8. Through its corporate social responsibility program, the company strives to make a positive impact in the workplace, in the marketplace and in the communities in which it operates. Campbell is a member of the Standard & Poor's 500 and the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes.
About the Points of Light Institute
Points of Light Institute inspires, equips and mobilizes people to take action that changes the world. The institute has a global focus to redefine volunteerism and civic engagement for the 21st century, putting people at the center of community problem solving. It is organized to innovate, incubate and activate new ideas that help people act upon their power to make a difference. Points of Light Institute operates three dynamic business units that share our mission: HandsOn Network, MissionFish and the Civic Incubator.
