Allegan, Michigan – November 11, 2020 – Perrigo Company’s Michigan Finance team found a creative way to raise money and give back to an area nonprofit, as organizations face increased funding pressures and canceled fundraiser events due to COVID-19. About 100 Perrigo team members moved their annual volunteer initiative online, raising approximately $36,500 for Kids’ Food Basket’s (KFB) ‘Feeding our Future’ expansion campaign for Allegan and Ottawa counties, where Perrigo manufactures its quality and affordable over-the-counter self-care products.
Annually, Perrigo’s Finance team hosts a ‘Finance Impact Day’ at an area nonprofit, donating the team’s time and talents. This year, most of Perrigo’s office staff is working remotely due to the pandemic, and instead of an in-person event they partnered with KFB to create an online ‘Runraiser’ event. Perrigo team members set their fundraising goals and then harnessed their friends and family networks for financial support for the miles they walked, ran, or biked, to support area children who face food insecurity every day. Participants pursued their activities individually, with group webcasts kicking off and closing the event, to prevent any risk of exposure to COVID-19.
Perrigo’s Chief Financial Officer, Ray Silcock said, “Finance leadership and the Perrigo Foundation were proud to match the funds raised by the team. At Perrigo, giving back aligns with our self-care vision of maintaining health and wellness in our community, including our most vulnerable citizens—children. We are incredibly proud of the team and all those involved for generating donations of more than $36,000, a truly wonderful impact.”
The money raised will go towards Kids’ Food Basket’s ‘Feeding Our Future’ expansion campaign in Allegan and Ottawa counties where approximately 11,120 students live with food insecurity. Kids’ Food Basket continues to raise critical funds to expand programming and services in Ottawa and Allegan counties. Prior to COVID-19, Kids’ Food Basket was serving 1,100 food insecure children at seven schools throughout the two counties, only 10% of the total need in the area.
“It is because of partnerships like Perrigo that Kids’ Food Basket is able to help thousands of children and their families during the COVID-19 crisis. This generous gift and the kindness of Perrigo make such an incredible impact, especially right now as our food costs have risen by 66% since COVID-19 began,” said Bridget Clark Whitney, president and founding CEO, Kids’ Food Basket. “As a charitably-funded nonprofit organization, every healthy, critical meal is funded by the support of our strong West Michigan community.”
Perrigo’s 'Runraiser' took a total of six weeks to complete, and Kids Food Basket will continue to implement similar virtual events as they continue their fundraising efforts. For more information on how to get involved visit, please www.kidsfoodbasket.org.
About Perrigo
Perrigo Company plc (NYSE; TASE: PRGO) is a leading provider of Quality, Affordable Self-Care Products and over-the-counter (OTC) health and wellness solutions that enhance individual well-being by empowering consumers to proactively prevent or treat conditions that can be self-managed. Led by its consumer self-care strategy, Perrigo is the largest store brand OTC player in the U.S. in the categories in which it competes through more than 9,000 SKUs under customer ‘own brand’ labels. Additionally, Perrigo is a Top 5 OTC company by revenue in Europe, where it markets more than 200 branded OTC products throughout 28 countries. The Company also commercializes and manufactures generic prescription products in the U.S. visit Perrigo online at www.perrigo.com.
About Kids Food Basket (Pre COVID-19)
Kids’ Food Basket, best known for its flagship Sack Suppers program, provides a free, well-balanced nutritious evening meal distributed within classrooms at the end of each school day. Through the Sack Supper program, Kids’ Food Basket serves over 8,800 kids at 52 schools where 70% or more of the student population receive free or reduced-cost lunch in Kent, Muskegon, Ottawa, and Allegan counties. More than 300 volunteers are needed each day to help prepare, pack, and deliver Sack Suppers. To learn more about our programs or how you can make a difference, please visit www.kidsfoodbasket.org.
Contact
Lyndsey Chmiel, Senior Manager, Global Investor Relations & Corporate Communications, (269) 673-9324, E-mail: Lyndsey.Chmiel@perrigo.com