Honda Responds to COVID-19 With Support for Healthcare Providers and Local Community Organizations in North America
TORRANCE, Calif. – During this period of unprecedented challenge related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Honda is working to support its customers, associates, and business partners throughout North America, and, just as critically, to assist communities throughout the region where people are suffering the devastating effects of this health crisis.
Following is a summary of the actions Honda has taken, thus far, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic regarding its customers, associates and business operations:
Support of Healthcare Providers
•Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): 10 Honda facilities in North America combined to donate over 200,000 items to healthcare providers and first responders, including gloves, face shields, N95 protective masks, alcohol wipes, half-mask respirators and other types of protective gear.
•Honda associates at five different Honda facilities are using 3D printers to manufacture parts for face shields being donated to healthcare facilities and first responders.
•Honda has teamed up with Dynaflo Inc. to produce diaphragm compressors, a key component of portable ventilators that are used in hospitals and by first responders to help those stricken with the COVID-19 virus. The companies aim to produce 10,000 compressors per month once production reaches capacity.
•Honda delivered 10 Odyssey minivans to the City of Detroit that have been specially outfitted to transport people potentially infected with COVID-19, as well as healthcare workers. To protect the health of the driver from the potential for droplet infection during transportation, the Honda Odysseys have been retrofitted with a plastic barrier installed behind the front seating area, as well as modifications to the ventilation system to maintain an air pressure differential between the front and rear seating areas.
Community Support
Honda has initiated a significant and comprehensive new effort to harness the spirit of community in responding to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
•Honda has pledged one million USD to address the immediate needs of communities across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, providing the most vulnerable with access to food. The pledge is part of a range of efforts Honda is undertaking to support community and government actions aimed at helping people combat the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, Honda Canada Foundation, Honda’s charitable arm in Canada, announced today a $500,000 donation to support essential nutrition and healthcare needs in response to COVID-19.
•The donations to food bank and meal programs are being distributed to nonprofit organizations that address food insecurity across the region.
•Building on the commitment of Honda associates to community volunteerism, Honda has initiated a COVID-19 Special Matching Gift Program that enables associates to make monetary donations to food programs in their local communities, matching up to $1,000 for each individual associate. The matching fund is in addition to our one million USD pledge to address food insecurity.
•The Honda Center, a Honda-sponsored entertainment venue in Southern California, has been used as a social-distant distribution center by the Second Harvest Food Bank to distribute food to those in need in Orange County.
•“Virtual Volunteers”: Honda is empowering Honda associates in North America to help people in need in their local communities while maintaining social distancing. Some of the activities include making non-medical grade masks for neighbors and the community, neighbor wellness checks and use of social media and other efforts that can be completed from home.
•Honda has launched the #ThankaHealthCareHero social media campaign to encourage people to offer gratitude to doctors, nurses, paramedics, fire, police and other frontline professionals who place themselves at risk in support of the public’s health and safety.
Honda Manufacturing of Indiana
What activities are you involved in with regards to COVID-19?
Volunteered at the Greensburg Community Bread of Life food bank where I prepared meals that were delivered to local residents in need
Please let us know the background of the activity based on people's lives and situation in each region.
As a result of COVID-19, many people in the U.S. are struggling to provide meals for themselves and their families. Honda associates are helping to address this food insecurity by donating to and volunteering at local food banks.
Please share with us the activity story, as well as any difficulties that you faced during activities, and how you coped with the situation.
When the Greensburg Community Bread of Life food bank had a shortage of volunteers early in the COVID-19 crisis, the food bank reached out to HMIN for help. HMIN associate Evan Clark eagerly agreed to help prepare meals that were delivered to Decatur County, Indiana residents.
What kind of feelings did you experience during your activities?
“I wanted to help meet someone else’s needs and relieve some of their burdens."
Please share your positive message for the people in your community and all over the world.
"Giving back is one of the most sincere ways to show that we care. It not only gives people a reason to want Honda to exist, but gives them a reason to want us to thrive.”