At Mars, we believe business should be a force for good. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis we’ve asked ourselves what actions we could take to build the world we want tomorrow, even as we faced the global challenges brought on by the pandemic.

In April 2020, we made a commitment to support the people, pets and communities most affected by COVID-19. Today, we’re continuing to monitor the situation around the globe. To date, our cash and in-kind donations for COVID-19 relief total more than $42 million.

A few ways we’ve responded globally:

• $5 million donation to support CARE for critical supplies and expertise that will be deployed in the developing world, to women, children and refugee populations.  

• $2 million donation to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to aid in the transport and delivery of critical supplies for all United Nations agencies as they respond to the pandemic.  

• $1 million donation to Humane Society International (HSI) to help cats and dogs that have been abandoned, left behind or surrendered to shelters due to their owners falling ill or no longer having the financial means to care for them. 

• $2.3 million donation to CARE, Oxfam International and Business Fights Poverty to support access to healthcare, equipment, medications and services to families and children in need. As part of the total, Mars Wrigley Foundation dedicated $300,000 to Save the Children, who, in addition to healthcare support and patient transport, will provide broader support for families and children.

The remaining $31 million came from a combination of cash and in-kind donations from across the markets where Mars operates as well as donations from its Foundations including: The Mars Wrigley Foundation, the Banfield Foundation, the Pedigree Foundation and the Tasty Bite Foundation.  

The devastating effects of COVID-19 demanded fast responses globally; we took a targeted approach, assessing preexisting vulnerabilities, risks to health, human rights and incomes, and gender-based risk to determine our response.

In the world we want tomorrow, everyone is thriving. The COVID-19 crisis isn’t over yet, and we know our actions today in response to the pandemic create a better world for people and pets tomorrow. Learn more about how we’re Building Back Better from COVID-19 here.