The Hattiesburg Public School District had a little extra surprise to hand out last week during its grab-and-go feeding drive-thru sites that have been implemented in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic: rolls of paper towels for each family.
The paper towels were the result of a large donation by Green Bay Converting, which recently partnered with the Area Development Partnership and United Way of Southeast Mississippi to fill a basic – but very in-demand – need by donating 27,000 rolls of paper towels to nonprofit organizations throughout the community.
Those organizations will supply the paper towels to their patrons while supplies last.
“Hattiesburg Public School District is so thankful that we can call on our friends at Green Bay Converting and United Way to help families in need of household items such as paper towels during this crisis,” said Ashley Jackson, communications and engagement coordinator for the school district. “We are excited to help our community as much as we can with the resources that we have available.”
As that amount of paper towels could not be transported using consumer vehicles, Green Bay Converting – which operates a large paper converting facility in the Hattiesburg-Forrest County Industrial Park – worked with Baldwin Transfer, which served as the freight carrier to truck the donated supplies.
“Green Bay Converting has been a part of the Hattiesburg business community for over seven years, so we are eager to help this great community,” plant manager Ben Catalano said in a statement. “We saw an opportunity to give back and worked with the ADP to arrange transportation for these products. We’re excited to do our part to provide valuable resources to Hattiesburg’s most vulnerable citizens as we all navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The paper towel donations are primarily being offered to United Way of Southeast Mississippi services areas, which include 19 partnering agencies in Forrest, Marion, Lamar and Perry counties. The organization also is extending the paper towel offer to surrounding tornado-affected areas throughout the Pine Belt, such as Jones and Covington counties.
Nonprofit areas, churches or schools in any of those locations that are actively serving their communities through pandemic and tornado relief are encouraged to contact United Way at (601) 545-714.
“Our communities are facing unique challenges in the face of this pandemic, and the need for us to stand together and help our neighbors is as important as it’s ever been,” said Tracie Fowler, president and CEO of United Way of Southeast Mississippi.
“We are grateful for the generosity of companies like Green Bay Converting and Baldwin Transfer for demonstrating kindness in action and contributing essential items that are especially scarce. We look forward to putting their donation to good use by distributing them to our most vulnerable residents through our own partnerships with local nonprofits in southeast Mississippi.”
ADP President Chad Newell said his organization, which is aimed at stimulating economic growth and enhancing the well-being and quality of life for area citizens, has shifted its focus to helping local communities with resources during the pandemic.
“It’s so awesome to live in a community where neighbors help neighbors and companies help nonprofits,” Newell said. “During COVID-19, we’ve all had to pivot in our respective businesses, and many of our citizens are in need. The ADP is pleased to connect corporate resources with nonprofits to provide much-needed support.”
