3M and United Way Australia collaborate for COVID-19 response

17 August, 2020

3M joined forces with not-for-profit organisation United Way Worldwide to support relief projects across the Asia Pacific that are helping the most vulnerable people in society impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Australia is one of eight countries across the region receiving a share of a 3M grant totalling AU$1.3 million (US$950,000) that comes from an AU$29 million (US$20 million) commitment made by 3M at a corporate level to support COVID-19 relief projects, globally. The united response in Australia is focused on addressing both urgent needs and address needs in the recovery phase of COVID-19.

United Way Worldwide is a privately-funded not-for-profit organisation based in the US with a network spanning more than 40 countries and territories across six continents. It serves 61 million people across the globe, supported by 2.9 million volunteers and 8.3 million donors.

3M supports a national relief effort led by United Way Australia

Over the coming months, a AU$234,000 (US$167,000) grant from 3M will support United Way Australia’s work to provide emergency food and care packages and distribute meals and educational resources to the most vulnerable families across Australia. Working with local partners on the ground, United Way Australia are in contact with 300 people in Perth dealing with homelessness, providing 1300 food parcels in Ballarat, supporting over 300 families in the Portland vicinity in Victoria targeted to receive emergency packs, and 1,500 families with young children across Victoria, NSW and SA, as well as over 500 families in remote NT and Far North Queensland, receiving education activity packs.

“Responding to a global pandemic requires a collaborative, multilayered and tailored approach. United Way is uniquely qualified to quickly react to these types of crises leveraging its network of community partners to provide emergency relief in the most critical areas. On behalf of all our partners and the communities we serve, we express our sincerest thanks to 3M. Collaboration is critical at a time like this and we are proud to see the difference we can make when business, community and philanthropy work UNITED,” said Clayton Noble, CEO United Way Australia.

The national relief response is being led by United Way Australia along with United Way West Australia, United Way South Australia, United Way Glenelg and United Way Ballarat. Their teams are also working and supporting many partners doing grass roots work including Anglicare, Australian Children’s Foundation, Ballarat Community Health, the Benevolent Society, Berry Street, Glebe Treehouse, Goodstart Early Learning, the Hive, Katherine Isolated Children’s Service, Latrobe Health Service, Lighthouse Foundation, Mission Australia and Tamworth Regional Council.

United Way Worldwide International President, José Pedro Ferrão, commented: “This pandemic is a new challenge for us, but we have always possessed the community spirit needed to respond to a global crisis. For more than 130 years, United Way and our supporters have faced crises head-on, doing whatever is required to comfort and care for those in need.”

“Since the outbreak began, 3M has addressed the COVID-19 pandemic from all angles and across all stakeholders, and this includes supporting our community partners around the world,” said 3M Australia & New Zealand Managing Director, Chris LeBlanc. “It’s important that 3M holds true to its core values during this pandemic by supporting our communities and improving lives. Throughout this global crisis, we will continue to look for ways to help in the fight against COVID-19.”