International Paper Donates Essential Paper and Packaging to Respond COVID-19 Needs in Memphis

MEMPHIS, Tenn., April 3, 2020 /3BL Media/– International Paper (NYSE: IP) is taking action to address critical needs in its Memphis community during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. The world’s leading producer of renewable, fiber-based packaging, pulp and paper has committed to donating boxes and paper to local organizations that are addressing immediate hunger, hygiene and educational needs.

“People depend on our products. Corrugated boxes are essential to the production and delivery of food, hygiene products and emergency supplies, and our paper is indispensable in education,” said Dr. Alissa Campbell Shaw, senior manager, Community Engagement, International Paper and executive director, The IP Foundation. “We’re in a special position to help our community organizations cast a wider safety net for those in need.”

The company’s local support is just one part of a broader strategy to get essential products into communities around the world where its more than 50,000 employees live and work.

Corrugated Boxes

International Paper boxes are necessary for the distribution and storage of food, pharmaceuticals and hygiene products, and the company is donating thousands of them to help local nonprofits respond to the needs of people across the region. Feeding America network member Mid-South Food Bank has accepted a donation of 50,000 boxes so it can provide 14-day food supply kits to low-income children and other vulnerable populations during the pandemic. 

Other nonprofits responding to community needs arising from the pandemic are receiving smaller quantities of boxes. Examples of nonprofits using International Paper corrugated products to distribute food and supplies to people in need during the pandemic include:

• DeSoto County Dream Center in Horn Lake and Hunger2Hope in Southaven are providing weekend and evening meals to more than 2,000 student families in the DeSoto County School District.
• Memphis Dream Center, operated by Life Church in Memphis, is providing drive-through food distribution at their Highland and Austin Peay locations.

“Our Olive Branch, Miss. Box Plant is working harder than ever to produce boxes for the increased demand we’re seeing,” said Dynisha Woods, global citizenship coordinator, International Paper. “We applaud this team for continuing to work safely while producing these essential products that our customers and communities depend on now more than ever.”

Paper

International Paper is mobilizing another of its core products, paper, towards the printing of educational support materials that are critical for students during the COVID-19 break. Printed materials provide much needed educational support to students during the unexpected break, and paper will continue to be an essential resource when classes resume.

In addition to its annual donation of paper to Shelby County Schools (SCS), the company is donating 141 pallets of paper so that the school district can allocate their resources to address the most critical educational needs. The paper will help SCS print student educational packets, which they distribute to more than 60 food pick-up sites across the city.

The YMCA has also received a donation of paper to help them support SCS during the pandemic.

“Memphis is our hometown,” said Woods. “We’re doing what we do best to ensure our community can continue to educate our kids during these uncertain times.”

The International Paper Community Engagement team continues to monitor how the pandemic affects community partners. “We’re proactively responding when we see a need for corrugated boxes or paper,” said Campbell Shaw. “We’re committed to addressing education, hunger, health and wellness and disaster relief, and this pandemic is touching all four of these causes.”

About International Paper

International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a leading global producer of renewable fiber-based packaging, pulp and paper products with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, Europe, North Africa and Russia. We produce corrugated packaging products that protect and promote goods and enable worldwide commerce; pulp for diapers, tissue, and other personal hygiene products that promote health and wellness; and papers that facilitate education and communication. We are headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., employ more than 50,000 colleagues and serve more than 25,000 customers in 150 countries. Net sales for 2019 were $22 billion. For more information about International Paper, our products and global citizenship efforts, please visit internationalpaper.com.