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North Carolina Pepsi Bottlers and the PepsiCo Foundation Deliver More than $50K in Disaster Aid to Storm Victims
PCNAB News...May 13, 2011...In the wake of the April tornadoes that devastated the nation's southeast region, Pepsi-Cola bottlers in North Carolina have stepped up to support their local communities.
Raleigh-based Pepsi Bottling Ventures (PBV), the Pepsi system's largest independent bottler, donated $25,000 to the effort with funds matched by the PepsiCo Foundation. Several other local franchise bottlers came through with a significant contribution, for a total aid package of $56,200 to area residents. In addition to financial assistance, Pepsi bottlers also delivered supplies of beverage products to storm victims, including desperately-needed bottled water.
"We are extremely proud of the way our Pepsi bottlers and the PepsiCo Foundation have stepped up for the people of this state," said Gov. [Bev] Perdue. "We've pledged to do all we can to help the victims get back on their feet as quickly as possible. The contribution from Pepsi is the latest example of how our local businesses give back to the communities in which they operate."
"Our bottlers are known for being very active in the community," said Darren Clark, director, Government Affairs, PepsiCo. "We have a very strong relationship with Governor Perdue. New Bern, N.C., is the birthplace of Pepsi-Cola. Governor Perdue is from New Bern and she’s a real friend to our business. Many of the hardest hit areas make up the bedrock of Pepsi-Cola history."
"It was important for us to be a part of this relief effort," said George Suddath, PBV's vice president of Corporate Affairs. "Our customers and the communities we serve were at ground zero of these storms. They're hurting right now and I'm thankful that we're able to bridge the gap between when the storms hit and the arrival of long-term aid. Any time the community has come to us, as well as the other independent bottlers, we make sure we’re there for them, whether it's with financial help or our services."
The North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund was established in 1999 following Hurricane Floyd, to accept monetary donations in support of storm victims. The fund is managed by the Governor's Office, in partnership with United Way of North Carolina. Donations are tax deductible and 100 percent of the donated funds will go to the survivors. For more information, visit the website at http://www.ncdisasterrelief.org/.
