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The Hershey Company has announced that it will allocate $ 1 million / £ 803,000 to acquire, install and staff a new facial mask manufacturing line. The new line, which can produce up to 45,000 masks per day, will go into operation at the end of May.

"Supporting our communities in difficult times is part of our heritage and an important value that our current employees share," said Michele Buck, President and CEO. "From the construction projects that created local jobs during the Great Depression to the production of military rations during World War II, we are very proud to make a difference where we can."

Leverage his internal engineering skills and relationships with the device manufacturer JR Automation and General MotorsThe company that makes similar masks is quickly addressing the nationwide shortage of protective equipment.

"Disposable masks will be an integral part of protecting the health and safety of our employees, their families, and our community as we evolve over the coming weeks and months," said Jason Reiman, chief supply chain officer. "Changing the way we work and adding these features is a testament to the adaptability of our team and our desire to make a difference."

Moving businesses to critical needs is the final step in the company's ongoing efforts to support communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, Hershey has donated millions in cash and products to support community security networks and a variety of health organizations while promoting employee safety and wellbeing.

To support basic needs in the communities in which it operates, the company has donated money to various partners, including United Way Worldwide, Feed America and the Center for Disaster PhilanthropyAs well as numerous food banks in the United States worldwide, Hershey has joined other major chocolate companies that have donated hundreds of millions to help international aid organizations provide COVID-19 education and protection in cocoa growing areas.

Hershey has also expanded its donation programs to support hospitals and healthcare facilities in the United States. It has delivered tens of thousands of pounds of goodies to more than 50 facilities in over a dozen states to elevate the mood of health workers and encourage them to have little "moments of kindness" during their days.

The company works more closely with the specialists at the home Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center by donating N95 masks and surgical gloves as well as hand disinfection stations. Hershey also donates storage space and supply chain expertise to operate a 22,000 square meter distribution center on the Hershey Company campus and to support Penn State Health's supply flow to its provider network.

In addition to its local health efforts, Hershey continues to work closely with the Milton Hershey School, provide product donations, collect staff to send messages of support to students, and continue to provide virtual guest speakers for the school's award-winning Hershey Honors business program.

Ensuring the health and safety of Hershey's employees is a key focus of the company's COVID response. Since the beginning of the current crisis, the company has offered various options so that employees can continue to work with increased security and economic security.

Improved security and protection measures, changed and flexible work plans, options for working from home, salary incentives and improved aid programs have been implemented to help employees cope with this challenging time.

"Hershey's remarkable people are top priorities in this extraordinary time," said Chris Scalia, chief human resources officer. "Not only do they enable us to maintain our business as a critical part of the food supply for our communities, they also demonstrate our commitment to excellence, security and our belief that together we are stronger."