Hershey Once Again Named One of Top 50 Most Civically Minded U.S. Companies

HERSHEY, Pa., Dec. 8, 2014 /3BL Media/ — The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) was recognized today as one of America’s most community-minded companies in The Civic 50, an annual recognition for companies that are committed to making a difference in the communities where they do business. Hershey was recognized as No. 3 in the Consumer Discretionary Sector, No. 2 overall for social impact, No. 4 overall for institutionalization and No. 6 overall in the business impact category. Hershey scored in the top 25 percent of companies in all five ranking categories.

“Being honored as one of the most community-minded companies in the U.S. is incredibly meaningful to Hershey. Our company was built on our founder’s belief that ‘business is a matter of human service’ and the remarkable employees at Hershey work to bring goodness to the world each and every day,” said Mike Wege, Chief Marketing and Growth Officer, The Hershey Company. “Making a difference is a Hershey core value and we are motivated when our business expertise and financial resources are able to make measurable, positive change. From developing programs that help cocoa farmers in West Africa to food-insecure families in our backyard and around the world, our employees bring a passionate commitment to all of our programs.”

This year, more than 1,700 Hershey employees across five countries, participated in “Good to Give Back Week,” Hershey’s global week of volunteerism. During Good to Give Back Week, employees had the opportunity to make a meaningful difference through social projects that have a track record of making positive, measurable impact in the community.  In its second year, the number of Hershey employees who participated in the program increased fivefold.

The week culminated in a record-setting event with Stop Hunger Now, a global non-profit focused on ending hunger through providing food and life-saving aid to people around the world. More than 600 Hershey employees worked together for three hours in dozens of assembly lines to create and pack 210,000 nutrient-filled meals that were delivered to children in need. Thirty thousand meals were sent to feed hungry children in El Salvador, and 180,000 meals were shipped to Liberia as part of the massive response to the Ebola crisis.

Hershey’s heritage of making a difference began with the company’s founding more than 120 years ago and is rooted in a tradition of ethical business practices, remarkable employees and giving back to its communities. Hershey integrates CSR into its business strategies through its focus on Shared Goodness, helping children and their communities around the world achieve a better life and bright future.

The Civic 50 recognition comes on the heels of Hershey’s inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America Index, CEO J.P. Bilbrey’s recognition as CR Magazine’s Responsible CEO of the Year and Hershey’s Cocoalink program winning the P3 Impact Award for the most effective socially responsible public/private partnership program.

“Corporate civic engagement is on the rise and it’s being led by the forward-thinking businesses included on The Civic 50 list,” said Neil Bush, Chairman of Points of Light. “The correlation their efforts showcase between community engagement and employee retention, productivity and overall bottom-line benefits continues to prove that businesses that do good, do well. We congratulate this year’s Civic 50 and we hope that they continue to inspire greater investments in improving communities through corporate civic engagement.”

To view a complete list of The Civic 50 companies for 2014, visit www.Civic50.org.

About The Hershey Company
The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY), headquartered in Hershey, Pa., is a global confectionery leader known for bringing goodness to the world through its chocolate, sweets, mints and other great-tasting snacks. Hershey has approximately 13,000 employees around the world who work every day to deliver delicious, quality products. The company, which has more than 80 brands around the world that drive over $7.1 billion in annual revenues, includes such iconic brand names as Hershey's, Reese's, Hershey's Kisses, Jolly Rancher and Ice Breakers. Hershey is focused on growing its presence in key international markets while continuing to build its competitive advantage in North America. Additionally, Hershey is poised to expand its portfolio into categories beyond confectionery, finding new ways to bring goodness to people everywhere.

At Hershey, goodness has always been about more than delicious products. For 120 years, Hershey has been committed to good business by operating fairly, ethically and sustainably to make a positive impact on society. This means contributing to a better life for its employees, consumers, communities, and, ultimately, creating a bright future for children in need.  This commitment is exemplified by Milton Hershey School, established in 1909 by the company's founder and administered by Hershey Trust Company. The children who attend the school receive education, housing, and medical care — thriving as direct beneficiaries of The Hershey Company's success.

About The Civic 50
The Civic 50 was created in 2012 to measure corporate civic engagement and recognize companies that incorporate socially responsible practices and community leadership into their culture.  A working group of leading researchers, industry thought leaders and corporate advisors provided strategic guidance on the program’s objectives, including defining indicators, developing methodology, and identifying partners and participants.

The survey evaluates companies based on several criteria including how extensively and strategically resources are applied to community engagement, how a community engagement program supports business interests and integrates into business functions. Other criteria include how a company supports community engagement through its institutional policies, systems, and incentives, and how a company measures the social and business impact of its community engagement program. True Impact, a company specializing in helping organizations maximize and measure their social and business value, administered the survey.

To view a complete list of The Civic 50 companies for 2014 and to learn more about the importance of civic engagement in corporate America, please visit www.Civic50.org. 

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