As global demand for our essential products has increased amidst the backdrop of a global pandemic, we know that the health and safety of our people must be our top priority.

Kimberly-Clark has taken extra precautions globally at our office, mill and distribution center operations, which were developed in line with guidance from global health authorities.

“We are especially mindful of safety at our manufacturing facilities during this time of heightened demand,” said Lisa Morden, Vice President of Global Safety and Sustainability, Kimberly-Clark. “By taking these steps, we can help keep our people and their families safe and healthy.”

Some of the enhanced safety measures include encouraging employees to stay home when they feel unwell, regular cleaning of work areas, shift rotations, distancing reminders where people gather, implementing temperature scans at entry points, and where applicable, enhancing paid leave policies.

By prioritizing the health and safety of our employees, we can keep working to provide the products the world is counting on to ensure hygiene and health.

Kimberly-Clark is doing its part to make life a little less stressful during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

As the manufacturer of some of the world’s most beloved tissue brands, including Cottonelle®, Scott®, Kleenex®, Andrex®, Neve® and Baby Soft®, we have accelerated production to meet the surge in demand around the world.

“We want to assure consumers that we are doing our best to ensure a steady supply of product,” affirmed Arist Mastorides, President of Kimberly-Clark North America Family Care. “Our teams are working really hard, and in close partnership with retailers, so that we can close the gap.”

In addition, our Cottonelle® and Andrex® brands are engaging consumers around the world in a new campaign of kindness and generosity as it encourages people to share toilet paper instead of stockpiling it.

"Instead of stockpiling, let's stock up on generosity. We believe our consumers have no shortage of kindness, so we trust they will #ShareASquare and help us on this mission," added Mastorides.

From the medical field to the production lines, workers were put in a tight spot when schools closed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. And for families with two working parents in essential jobs, many needed to locate quality childcare, and fast.

Boys & Girls Clubs across the country came to the rescue, keeping Clubs open to specifically look after the children of healthcare workers, first responders and other critical personnel.

Kimberly-Clark’s Scott® Brand stepped up, too, donating $500,000 to help Boys & Girls Clubs of America offer this service in nearly 300 Clubs nationwide, serving up to 28,000 children of frontline workers daily.

“Essential workers continue to show courage and resilience,” said Arist Mastorides, Family Care President of Kimberly-Clark North America. “There is no better way to show the gratitude Kimberly-Clark and Scott Brand have for today's heroes than to provide the support they need to best care for their families during this challenging time.”

The Clubs provide fun activities, help with homework and emotional support for children whose parents may be under exceptional stress.

“Boys & Girls Clubs of America is committed to doing whatever it takes to support America's youth and their families as they navigate through the COVID-19 crisis," said Julie Teer, Chief Development & Public Affairs Officer, Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "We are so thankful to the Scott Brand and Kimberly-Clark for standing together with us."

Scott® Brand is encouraging social media users to thank essential workers on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram by using the hashtag #ThankAHero, and nominating others to do the same.

Parents and caregivers of NICU babies are facing escalating mental health challenges due to virus infection fears, additional financial concerns, limitations on when they can visit their baby in the NICU, and being socially isolated from their support system of family and friends.

Which is why Hand to Hold, a nonprofit organization for NICU families, recently the launched virtual support groups for NICU families to address this challenge. Kimberly-Clark’s Huggies® brand is serving as the national sponsor of the new program, modeled on Hand to Hold’s in-person and in-hospital support groups.

“Our first ever virtual support group last week welcomed parents from across the country, and for most, it was the first time they’d been able to interact with other NICU families or any type of peer support,” said Kelli Kelley, NICU parent and founder/CEO of Hand to Hold. “It was encouraging to see that our online groups could provide NICU families with a virtual ‘hand to hold’ and emotional support during the COVID-19 crisis.”

The virtual services are available free of charge to all families and caregivers of NICU babies and available via live Zoom conference calls, led by certified peer support specialists.

The program provides a safe, caring space for parents to share personal experiences and feelings, discuss coping strategies, and find comfort and support during the COVID-19 crisis and the recovery that follows.

Hand to Hold will offer multiple groups each week in English and Spanish, and parents can register for groups on the organization’s website, where dates and times are listed. Families and caregivers can also access podcasts, including new episodes to address the emotional and mental health challenges associated with COVID-19.

“We are honored to partner with Hand to Hold as they provide this lifeline of virtual care for parents and nurses, especially as their access to support may be limited during the current health crisis,” said Rebecca Dunphey, President of Baby and Childcare, Kimberly-Clark North America, “We have Huggies hospital partners and NICUs top of mind right now, and ensuring they have Huggies products and services, like these virtual support groups, available to help care for their tiniest patients is a priority and privilege.”

About 25 percent of U.S women don’t have the means to buy period supplies, a statistic that prompted U by Kotex® to become the founding partner of the nonprofit Alliance for Period Supplies in 2018.

As this need rises dramatically during the coronavirus pandemic, Kimberly-Clark’s U by Kotex® brand donated 1 million menstrual pads and panty liners to the Alliance for Period Supplies. This donation is in addition to its annual commitment.

“As we continue to fight against period poverty, we understand the impact of the COVID-19 health crisis means more women will struggle to afford needed supplies,” said Deniz Gurler, Senior Brand Manager for U by Kotex. “We are increasing our donations to ensure women everywhere have period products as they take care of their families and themselves.”

Hoarding, job losses and shelter-in-place orders have forced more individuals to turn to nonprofits for essential goods, explained Samantha Bell, Program Director at the Alliance for Period Supplies.

For example, one affiliate distributed 35,000 period products two weeks ago, an inventory that previously lasted three months, she added.

“We are thrilled that U by Kotex®, our amazing founding sponsor, is stepping up to help during this crisis,” Bell said. “Their support of our programs means everything.” U by Kotex has donated more than 24 million period products to the Alliance for Period Supplies over the past two years and the charity will distribute this latest donation to areas of greatest need nationwide via its partner agencies.

To learn more or give, visit www.allianceforperiodsupplies.org

One in three U.S. families couldn’t afford to buy enough diapers for their children before the coronavirus pandemic hit. Now, more parents than ever are seeking support from diaper banks around the country.

To help families who are struggling, Kimberly-Clark’s Huggies® brand is donating 5 million diapers to the National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN) and $1 million to the United Way Worldwide COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund for programs in the U.S. Huggies has contributed 250 million diapers to NDBN since 2011.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is disproportionally impacting children and families who lack access to clean diapers and other basic necessities,” said Joanne Goldblum, CEO of NDBN. “As in past disasters and emergency situations, NDBN is grateful to our founding sponsor Huggies and Kimberly-Clark for their support and help to mobilize the delivery of diapers and other essentials that babies and families need to thrive.”

Huggies $1 million gift to the United Way Worldwide COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund will support financial and social services for the most vulnerable U.S. populations.

“Our commitment to the National Diaper Bank Network and United Way will help ensure that families and communities get the products they urgently need to help babies thrive,” affirmed Rebecca Dunphey, Baby and Childcare President of Kimberly-Clark North America.

Huggies also announced a partnership with non-profit organization, Hand to Hold, to provide online peer support groups to NICU parents and nurses. The new program will help ensure NICU caregivers have vital connection and resources to cope with the new stresses related to COVID-19, in addition to caring for a premature or medically fragile baby.