Over 42 million people in the U.S. are projected to be food insecure in 2021, including 13 million children, due, in part, to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mizuho continues to respond to the hunger relief needs of our communities, including those disproportionately affected by COVID-19. Motivated by the impact of its donations in 2020 to food programs across the U.S., Mizuho held its first Mizuho Hunger Relief Week, May 10-16, bringing together teammates remotely to gather donations of food, funds, and support.
Mizuho Hunger Relief Week included a $25,000 Challenge Grant benefitting Feeding America – the nation’s leading hunger relief organization, employees making donations to food programs in their neighborhoods – three of which were chosen at random to receive a Mizuho grant, and an at-home care package assembly project.
Results
$56,000 donated to Feeding America, as staff more than met Mizuho’s match challenge, donating over $31,000 in one week.
More than 100 Mizuho U.S. employees and their family members took part in a food packing project at home, assembling 115 boxes of food donated to the Food Bank of New York City, Greater Chicago Food Depository and Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
Three local nonprofit food programs supported by Mizuho employees were chosen at random to receive grants:
$5,000 – Houston Food Bank
$2,500 – The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County, Inc.
$1,000 – Long Island Cares, Inc.