Komatsu partners with Feeding America in Covid-19 response

Komatsu’s North American business units are partnering with Feeding America, the largest domestic hunger-relief organisation in the US, to donate up to US$250,000 to support its work as the Covid-19 pandemic pushes 17 million Americans into food insecurity.

“The hunger crisis is growing quickly in the face of Covid-19,” said Rod Schrader, chairman and CEO of Komatsu’s North American operations. “We are honoured to partner with Feeding America to support their work to rapidly scale to meet the rising needs of our communities.”

The situation is changing rapidly, but Feeding America predicts its network of local food banks will need an additional US$1.4 billion over the next six months to provide food assistance to people facing hunger – a 30% incremental increase to the nonprofit organisation’s operating costs.

The network of 200 food banks partner with more than 60,000 soup kitchens, food pantries, churches and other community organisations to deliver food, even in the midst of a global pandemic.

“Feeding America is grateful to Komatsu and its employees for their generous support of our neighbors who face hunger during these uncertain times,” said Lauren Biedron, vice president of corporate partnerships at Feeding America.

Komatsu America Corp., Komatsu Mining Corp., Modular Mining and Hensley Industries – all North American subsidiaries of Tokyo-based Komatsu Ltd. – are joining together in the effort to support Feeding America’s COVID-19 Response Fund. The business units are donating US$150,000 and will provide a 2-for-1 match of employee donations up to US$50,000.

The companies are dedicating an additional US$100,000 to local organizations in the communities in which they operate throughout North America.

Komatsu is number two on the latest Yellow Table, KHL’s annual ranking of the world’s construction equipment manufacturers by sales figures.