As the world is going through Corona Virus pandemic, companies and marketers are making hard efforts to help the society to overcome the crises. Generally, brands spend 15,000 crores annually as a part of their Corporate Social Responsibility Fund. A few days ago, brands were also directed by the Government of India to spend their CSR Funds to fight against the pandemic.
Brands acclaimed the order by the central government and extended their hands in different ways. For instance, the leading smartphone company, Samsung, came forward to provide cooked food packets to the local police. Similarly, the global coffee giant, Starbucks is also spending $10 million (USD).
Let’s take a glance at what different companies are doing to pay back the society from their CSR funds.
Samsung
The leading smartphone brand, Samsung, is supporting local police in providing cooked food packets to local communities from their CSR funds.Over the last few weeks, Samsung India teams have engaged with various governments, local authorities, and healthcare professionals to prepare a broad and meaningful strategy in the fight against COVID-19.
The Muthoot Group
In a public statement, George Alexander Muthoot, Managing Director said “The Muthoot Group has always believed in being at the forefront in implementing such noble efforts. In these unprecedented and most difficult times, we all must rise to the occasion and do our every bit to help countless those who need our love and support.” The company took responsibility to provide food, grains and other essential goods to 15,000 families.
ARM
ARM Worldwide, a Gurgaon based digital marketing & communication consultancy launched a dedicated Whatsapp helpline for doctors and hospitals who need hygiene supply and high-quality masks. ARM Worldwide took the initiative in collaboration with a global technology leader, Huami Amazfit. Together, they came up with a campaign named, #WorkForDoctors with an aim to doctors who’re tirelessly working to revive the country from the pandemic.
Urban Company
Urban Company, who was earlier known as Urban Clap, joined hands with a charitable trust named Srinidhi Foundation. As a part of their CSR initiative, UC committed INR 1.5 crores to set up a relief fund for their employees and gig workers. They’re also ensuring an adequate supply of appropriate personal protective equipment like thermometers, disposable gloves, surgical masks, and disinfectants across our offices.
Starbucks
Tata Starbucks has recently launched a social media new campaign – #ReconnectWithStarbucks which is the brand’s initiative to encourage people to connect with themselves as they stay home. The coffee brand also announced the Starbucks Global Partner Emergency Relief Program as part of its $10 million (USD) commitment to support partners (employees) around the world impacted by COVID-19.
Tata Motors
As revealed in a press statement, Tata Motors has organized for food supplies to migrants and stranded communities, urban slums, transit camps and villagers, drivers, co-drivers, mechanics, contractual and temporary workers, security personnel, across geographies in the country. So far, the company has provided over 25,000 Food packets (cooked meals) and over 5000 Grocery kits (ration) and is continuing its efforts to ensure the health of the underprivileged communities. Tata Motors also partnered with Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. to distribute food packets and personal protective kits to truck drivers visiting companies “Saarthi Aaram Kendra (SAK)” located in Narsapura (near Bangalore) and Bawal (near Gurgaon) locations.
Swiggy
To support the welfare of its partners and their families during these difficult times, Swiggy has introduced various initiatives to assist our Hunger Saviors in every way possible. “From medical coverage to Income Protection Insurance, the Swiggy Hunger Savior Covid Relief Fund covers many essential benefits. As of date, we have already raised upwards of Rs. 4 cr towards the fund; we aim to raise a total of Rs. 10 cr,” explained the Swiggy spokesperson. Further, spending their CSR fund, Swiggy raised Hope Not Hunger Fund as an attempt to make a difference in this tough time. Using its strong network of food partners, Swiggy is also supporting several state governments to deliver healthy food to relief camps.
MakeMyTrip
Although MakeMyTrip’s business is the most impacted during the lockdown, the online travel company decided to stand with the nation in the testing times. The company is also encouraging employee contributions and crowdsourcing funds to reach out to the drivers in the value chain of its entity- redbus. “Living out our cultural value of ‘ being caring’ we have joined hands with Gurgaon Nagrik Ekta Manch(GNEM), a community-based organisation that supports and addresses social issues of people in Gurgaon and nearby areas. Together, we have pledged to deliver over 1 lakh meals to underprivileged households of daily wage earners during this period of nationwide lockdown,” told the MMT spokesperson.
Suzuki Motorcycle
Presently, Suzuki Motorcycle has started distributing more than 500 food packets which can go up to 1000 packets, cooked in most hygienic conditions, to needy people of Hasanpur, Darbaripur and Kherki Dhaula villages in Gurugram district of Haryana. The initiative aims to help the contractual workers, labourers, locals and families of these villages during the coronavirus. As the whole nation has come together to fight against Covid-19, Koichiro Hirao, Managing Director, Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt Ltd. feels it is our social responsibility to support and help each other in such difficult times.
Kansai Nerolac
Kansai Nerolac has also been undertaking relief measures such as the distribution of masks to traffic police staff and police station staff, hospitals, medical and other emergency staff such as social workers, financial assistance for buying COVID-19 related hospital equipment, a donation to the district authorities for corona related relief fund, etc. To do their bit for the society KNPL has contributed a sum of INR 4 Crores towards the Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM-CARES Fund).
