Numerous South Carolina businesses are showing impressive leadership in helping communities, families and workers navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. We are proud to share their stories.
If you would like to recognize a business for going above and beyond to assist their employees or overall community, please send their story to info@columbiachamber.com.
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Bank of America
"Bank of America will donate $100 million to help communities hurt by the coronavirus. The money will go to both local and national organizations, the bank said, to help increase medical capacity, address food insecurity, and boost access to learning in the wake of school closures." The company will also give all branch workers a $200 bonus every two weeks. And while reducing branch hours, workers will still be paid for their regular, full schedule.
Dominion Energy
Dominion Energy has suspended all service disconnections, as individuals, families, businesses and communities pull together to meet their collective needs. Dominion is also reconnecting residential customers whose services were turned off for non-payment. They are also committing $1 million to coronavirus relief efforts, with resources going towards the American Red Cross and local organizations.
Lowe's Home Improvement
Lowe's has also pledged $10 million in products to be donated to medical professionals on the front lines. Lowe's is working with health-care supply distributors to deliver essential items, including respirators and protective gear to hospitals nationwide. Additional contributions include:
- $3 million to the Lowe's Employee Relief Fund
- $3 million to support local small businesses, particularly skilled-trade professionals
- $1.5 million to the COVID-19 Response Fund and nonprofits in the Charlotte region
- $500,000 to the American Red Cross
- Additional dollars to be used for emerging needs
Publix
Senior citizens aged 65 and older will be permitted to shop Publix stores and access in-store pharmacies an hour before the standard open time for the rest of their customers on Tuesdays and Wednesdays beginning Tuesday, March 24 until further notice. It's philanthropy arm, Publix Charities, is donating $1 million to Feeding America member food banks across the Southeast to serve vulnerable populations during this time.
Regions Bank
The Regions Foundation is donating $2.5 million to organizations that support small businesses, the bank announced. The bank has also implemented new forbearance measures to assist clients during the pandemic.
Truist
"The Charlotte-based bank will donate $1 million each to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Johns Hopkins Medicine through its charitable fund to aid recovery efforts and increase access to medical supplies. Truist Foundation will also give $3 million to local United Way organizations. Remaining funds will go toward grants for community partners to promote technology and recovery efforts."
Additionally, all Truist employees making under $100,000 a year will get a $1,200 pre-tax bonus and receive 10 extra days of paid leave to help deal with school closings and other disruptions. Some workers will also get a reimbursement for childcare costs, and all of the bank's 59,000 employees will get an increase in emergency child and elder care benefits.
Walmart
From March 24 through April 28, Walmart's 5,000-plus U.S. stores will host an hour-long senior shopping event every Tuesday for customers 60 and older, which will start one hour before stores open. Walmart has also announced plans to provide a special cash bonus of between $150 – $300 for hourly associates for their hard work and dedication to serving customers in a time of an unprecedented national health crisis.
Wells Fargo
"Wells Fargo will donate $175 million to help communities deal with the COVID-19 pandemic… The contributions will focus on housing stability, small business and financial health. …. The bank also announced a slate of services for customers facing economic hardship from pandemic. Like many other institutions, it's offering fee waivers and payment deferrals for customers, and the bank is suspending evictions and auto repossessions."