Essentia Water, Bothell, Wash., announced that it contributed more than $1 million to key initiatives in 2020, through its Believe+ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Platform. This represents its largest contribution to date, including monetary and product donations to organizations on the frontlines of COVID-19 relief and social justice and empowerment efforts throughout the United States. The privately held company cited its internal Strategic Pillars as the guiding principles for its commitment to social responsibility.
Working in partnership with its national distribution network, Essentia supplied more than 750,000 bottles of water last year to more than 200 hospitals, first responders and meal service providers aiding their local communities during the height of the pandemic, the company says. The company also donated more than $200,000 along with product to its long-standing national partner organizations, After-School All-Stars and the American Red Cross. Essentia also forged new alliances through its largest single donation of a combined $300,000 to support the Black community in the wake of the social injustice crisis. Recipients included the National Urban League, Black Voters Matter and UNCF (the United Negro College Fund).
“These unprecedented times called for us to give back to our communities more than ever, and we made it a top priority,” said Scott Miller, chief executive officer at Essentia Water, in a statement. “While I’m proud of our actions in 2020 during a very challenging year, we know there’s no finish line whether we are talking about Diversity and Inclusion or giving back to our communities in need. As an organization, we must challenge ourselves to make a difference each day.”
Essentia already has begun its next wave of COVID-19 relief for 2021 through product and monetary donations. Some 23 truckloads, nearly 400,000 bottles of Essentia water will be distributed to in-need hospitals and first responders across the country with a similar, second wave effort planned for April.
At Essentia’s home base of Seattle, the company is continuing to lend its humanitarian support through events like local Seattle-Based Chef and Two-Time James Beard Award Winner Edouardo Jordan’s Soul of Seattle www.theseattlesoul.com. The event’s mission is to highlight and celebrate Black chefs/restauranteurs and support the black community of Seattle and is in collaboration with Northwest Harvest (WA State’s leading hunger relief agency). Essentia also is sponsoring After-School All-Stars’ Puget Sound programs (free after-school enrichment programs) and UNCF (United Negro College Fund) Seattle.
“We are dedicated to expanding our commitment in the focus areas of humanitarian support and environmental sustainability, where our actions and participation can have meaningful impact to help improve the world in which we live,” said Kazumi Mechling, senior vice president of corporate communications and strategic alliances at Essentia Water.
Mechling said Essentia plans on a future announcement reinforcing its dedication to environmental innovation.
