For the eighth year in a row, Faurecia North America employees are kicking off their annual “Faurecia Unites with Employees for Local Service (FUELS) Community Food Drive.” Since 2010, the campaign has raised 5.45 million meals for local communities where Faurecia operates, and employees are gearing up to start the 2017 FUELS drive on Sept. 1.
More than 20,000 Faurecia employees, from 46 manufacturing plants and R&D centers across Canada, Mexico and the United States, have committed to donating food and money to local food bank partners. In 2017, Faurecia North America aims exceed the results from last year, with collections throughout the month of September.
“Corporate social responsibility is an important part of Faurecia’s mission worldwide, and FUELS is a channel through which we can make good on this mission in North America,” said Kevin Lammers, president of Faurecia USA Holdings Inc. “Through FUELS, employees are encouraged to work together to give back to their communities, and as a result, we can continue strengthening and building upon the valuable partnerships – with people, places and organizations – that have been integral to our success. We all benefit.”
Each year, Faurecia facilities team up with food banks – 26 of them in Faurecia’s communities throughout the region – to understand the specific needs of local residents and ensure maximum impact. In addition to food and monetary donations, many employees donate time during scheduled volunteer days at the partner food banks.
To meet food donation goals, Faurecia sites host a variety of fundraisers and competitions to inspire employees to give back in creative ways. In the past, sites have held chili cook-off competitions, golf outings, car washes, dunk tanks, picnics, obstacle courses and kickball tournaments. In 2016, employees donated more than 1.1 million meals through their various initiatives.
The FUELS Community Food Drive is one example of Faurecia’s service and volunteer initiatives; its ongoing efforts include commitments to promoting STEM education and careers, providing shelter and ending hunger, as well as participating in other charitable partnerships.