Inspiring and Building Better Lives and Communities During Challenging Times
Communities are still reeling from the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, a difficult economic environment and social justice. But Truist teammates set out to be a beacon of hope, supporting nonprofits as they faced increased demands on the critical services they provide and each other.
“I’m so proud of how our teammates answered the call to help others in need during our Fall Season of Giving,” said Tori Kaplan, head of corporate social responsibility at Truist.
Running, walking, and biking for charity
Teammates rallied to help people and communities hurting and eager for change. As part of its Truist Cares* initiative, the company partnered with Charity Miles. The effort turned the miles teammates walked, biked or ran into money for charity to support equity and combat food insecurity.
“I enjoyed seeing my miles turning into dollars, and I’m making a difference,” said Simeka Cheserek, commercial sales assistant. Teammates logged 1 million miles, which translated into $1 million each for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund Inc. and Feeding America. “I really connected with the two charities given the times we’re going through,” added Eric Speicher, financial risk management analyst.
The Lighthouse Project strengthens communities
The Lighthouse Project is a long-standing BB&T tradition that now allows Truist teammates to collaborate with local nonprofit organizations on projects to support community needs. Teammates mobilized virtually and socially distanced to complete more than 1,700 service projects in 2020, contributing nearly 35,000 hours of volunteer time and serving 1.7 million people.
Teammates participated in projects such as stocking food pantries; creating audio or video recordings of themselves reading books to share with a children’s shelter; providing much-needed supplies for schools, homeless and domestic violence shelters; and much more.
Donations to Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina in Charlotte, North Carolina, provided 84,583 meals while Cool Girls Inc. in Atlanta received items for their Drive-thru Holiday Shopping Day. “Over 90 Cool Girls participants received a pre-packed holiday box full of gifts and a toy of their choice,” said Ebony Brown, volunteer director at Cool Girls Inc. “We sincerely appreciate the generosity of Truist and could not have made the distribution day so special without you.”
United Way campaign, One Team Fund and matching gifts help make life easier for others
Teammates pledged to help make the uncertain times we’re living in easier for others through our United Way campaign. They engaged in activities to learn more about the extraordinary work United Way is doing to advance the common good in every community. More than $7 million in teammate donations will help United Way and other nonprofit organizations shelter, feed, heal, educate and nurture people from all walks of life.
And through the One Team Fund, teammates also contributed to helping their fellow teammates experiencing hardship with donations matched dollar for dollar by the Truist Foundation, which also matches contributions teammates make to nonprofits through the matching gifts program.
“Our purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities, coupled with our caring culture, meant our Fall Season of Giving would extend to many people and beyond 2020,” added Kaplan.
*Truist Cares is a cooperative effort between Truist Financial Corporation, Truist Foundation, Inc., and Truist Charitable Fund to provide communities, organizations and individuals disaster relief and assistance during the COVID-19 crisis.
