Sonoco Donates $50,000 to Hurricane Matthew Relief

HARTSVILLE, S.C., Oct. 11, 2016 -- Sonoco (NYSE:SON), one of the largest diversified global packaging companies, has donated $50,000 to the American Red Cross to aid in Hurricane Matthew relief efforts in the Southeast.

Sonoco has been headquartered in Hartsville, S.C., since its inception in 1899, and about 2,000 of its employees currently call South Carolina home. Sonoco’s Hartsville headquarters and manufacturing operations were impacted by the storm, as were locations in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina, and many of its employees, their families and their friends are facing hardships after the historic hurricane. 

“We have all been touched by Hurricane Matthew over the past several days,” said Jack Sanders, president and CEO of Sonoco. “Like during the historic floods just one year ago, as we rebuild, I have no doubt that the resiliency and faith of our citizens will continue to shine through this crisis.”

“Thanks to generous donors, like Sonoco, all Red Cross disaster assistance is free,” said Louise Welch Williams, regional chief executive officer of the American Red Cross, Palmetto SC Region. “From shelters, food and emotional support, to working with families to help them with their long-term recovery, the Red Cross provides comfort and support after a disaster through the generosity of businesses and individuals.”

Sonoco asks other companies and individuals throughout the region to support hurricane recovery efforts by donating and volunteering with the American Red Cross and other agencies. To donate to the relief efforts, visit www.redcross.org/SC.  

About Sonoco
Founded in 1899, Sonoco is a global provider of a variety of consumer packaging, industrial products, protective packaging, and displays and packaging supply chain services. With annualized net sales of approximately $5 billion, the Company has 20,800 employees working in more than 330 operations in 35 countries, serving some of the world’s best known brands in some 85 nations. For more information on the Company, visit our website at www.sonoco.com.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/SC or follow us on Twitter @RedCrossSC.

Contact: Roger Schrum
+843-339-6018
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