The specific initial commitments announced include $1 million to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation and $500,000 to the Los Angeles Police Foundation. The remaining commitment will be identified and disbursed as the relief efforts in Los Angeles continue.
“On behalf of the Los Angeles Police Department, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to The Wonderful Company for their extraordinary generosity in donating $500,000 to the Los Angeles Police Foundation,” said Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell. “This substantial contribution reflects their commitment to the safety and well-being of our community and is a morale boost for our officers who work tirelessly to protect the city we all love.”
“Los Angeles firefighters are deeply touched by the outpouring of support from across the community, including now this generous gift from The Wonderful Company,” said Liz Lin, president of the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation. “These urgently needed resources will improve dispatch capabilities, purchase additional specialty firefighting equipment, enhance our rapid response vehicles, and help make sure all our firefighters have the equipment they need, from hydration packs and fire shelters to PPE. We are so grateful for this support when it is needed most.”
The Wonderful Company, known for its healthy consumer food brands, has also been donating FIJI Water, Wonderful Pistachios and Wonderful Halos to fire stations, police precincts, first responder staging areas and air operations centers to help ensure emergency workers have ready access to nutrition and hydration.
Like many businesses in the area, the devastation has hit home for the company, which is providing extensive support to dozens of its Los Angeles employees who have lost their homes or been displaced by mandatory evacuations.
The company has also shared with employees that it will double employee giving to Los Angeles relief efforts. Through its Wonderful Giving Program, the company gives each of its 10,000 global employees up to $1,000 a year to donate to the charity of their choice, and the company also matches its employees’ individual private charitable donations.
Over the past 20 years, the program – centered on empowering employees to give within their communities, where they know best what support is needed – has given more than $72 million to local charities around the world.