Salisbury, Md. (Thursday, June 6, 2019) – United Way Worldwide (UWW) today announced that Perdue Farms is a new partner in its Global Corporate Leadership (GCL) Program.
“United Way Worldwide is honored to partner with Perdue Farms,” said Brian Gallagher, UWW President and CEO. “We share a dedication to building strong communities, places in which everyone can thrive. Perdue Farms associates are already doing so much to make their communities a better place. But together, we can do more to improve education, financial stability and health in the communities where Perdue Farms associates live and work.”
UWW and Perdue Farms also signed a Memo of Understanding, part of a long-term strategic approach to explore ways to drive community impact and bolster employee engagement through individual giving, leadership, and volunteer opportunities.
“At Perdue, we are proud to be part of the Global Corporate Leadership program as part of our company’s commitment to our communities,” said Randy Day, chief executive officer of Perdue Farms. “Our decades-long partnership with United Way provides a platform for our associates to engage in the communities where they live and work.”
Joining the GCL program reinforces Perdue’s more than 30-year partnership with United Way, which began in its hometown of Salisbury, Md., with the local United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore. Since then, Perdue and its associates have donated more than $9 million to United Way. The vast majority of those contributions are through associates’ support of their local United Way campaigns through personal pledges and fundraising as well as volunteer hours. Associates contributed more than $584,000 last year.
“The impact Perdue Farms makes in strengthening communities cannot be understated and this commitment is part of their culture. Associates are empowered to engage year-round beyond the campaign through volunteerism and initiatives which support their local neighbors,” said Pamela Gregory, president and CEO of United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore.
“Whether rolling up their sleeves to lend a hand with a local program, organizing fun campaign events, or serving on Boards and committees, associates invest thousands of hours to make a difference. We are very blessed by our long-standing local partnership and thrilled that Perdue is now a Global Corporate Leader,” she said.
Perdue Farms joins a select group of more than 100 global corporations who partner with United Way as part of their elite GCL program. Combined, these companies and their employees contribute nearly $1 billion and volunteer countless hours to help those in need.
About Perdue Farms
We’re a fourth-generation, family owned, U.S. food and agriculture company. Through our belief in responsible food and agriculture, we are empowering consumers, customers and farmers through trusted choices in products and services.
The PERDUE® brand is the number-one brand of fresh chicken in the U.S., we’re the largest producer of organic chicken in the U.S., and Perdue AgriBusiness is an international agricultural products and services company. As we approach our 100th anniversary in 2020, our path forward is about getting better, not just bigger. We never use drugs for growth promotion in raising poultry and livestock, and we are actively advancing our animal welfare programs. Our brands are leaders in no-antibiotics-ever chicken, turkey and pork, and in USDA-certified organic chicken. Learn more at www.perduefarms.com.
About United Way
United Way fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community. Supported by 2.8 million volunteers, 8.3 million donors worldwide and $4.6 billion raised every year, United Way is the world’s largest privately-funded nonprofit. We’re engaged in nearly 1,800 communities across more than 40 countries and territories worldwide to create sustainable solutions to the challenges facing our communities. United Way partners include global, national and local businesses, nonprofits, government, civic and faith-based organizations, along with educators, labor leaders, health providers, senior citizens, students and more. For more information about United Way, please visit UnitedWay.org. Follow us on Twitter: @UnitedWay and #LiveUnited.