Atlas Copco USA supports Can'd Aid in its COVID-19 relief efforts
May 21, 2020
Atlas Copco USA’s employee-driven Water for All program has again teamed up with charitable organization Can'd Aid to support the distribution of fresh drinking water to the most in-need Americans. This time, the project supported Food Bank of the Rockies in its mission to make food security a reality for every Colorado family.
Atlas Copco has partnered with Can'd Aid to provide clean drinking water to those in need.
This is the fourth time that Atlas Copco has partnered with Can'd Aid to provide clean drinking water to an area with an immediate need for it. The essential drinking water was produced by Oskar Blues Brewery, which adapted its standard beer-production process to produce cans of fresh drinking water — a truly remarkable and community-spirited effort. Oskar Blues has done this several times at a number of its regional locations to help those in need, usually in response to large hurricanes or other natural disasters.
“As communities struggle to handle aspects of the novel coronavirus, it’s humbling to be one of several partners coming together to provide needed water to the overlooked,” said Diana Ralston, Executive Director of Can’d Aid. “We could not facilitate water donations to those in need during this crisis without the continued support and financial backing from Atlas Copco.”
The sanitized water cans support everyone from local families and institutions to first responders. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, many more people have been forced to rely on emergency food networks like Food Bank of the Rockies for the first time. As a result, the need for the nonprofit’s essential services has increased significantly.
2020 marks the 10-year anniversary of the Water for All organization in the U.S. The program originally started in Sweden in 1984. Through the dedicated and passionate work of volunteering employees at Atlas Copco, Water for All funds projects all around the world, providing access to clean drinking water, sanitation and hygiene. For every dollar an employee donates, the company adds another two dollars, making a double match.
Many projects are supported to bring access to clean drinking water to parts of the world where people and communities have never been afforded that luxury. The committee also provides funding to support water-focused programs during times of local and regional crises — such as the COVID-19 outbreak.
Over the last decade, Atlas Copco USA’s Water for All program has donated over $1.8 million across 17 countries and helped thousands of people gain access to clean drinking water. This includes a $50,000 donation to Guatemala for World Water Day in March.
“None of this would be possible without the dedication and focus of our U.S.-based employees who support and fund the program,” said Paul Humphreys, VP of Communications for Atlas Copco North America. “To know that we have made a difference to people on the national, regional and global levels is truly humbling, and our ability to support projects quickly in times of crisis is something that underpins the program.”