Cox customers represent a true cross-section of our community and the company believes in using its resources and voice to help lift those in need. To demonstrate this commitment, Cox has contributed nearly $11 million in cash and in-kind COVID-19 contributions to date in Phoenix and Southern Arizona.
Even though the majority of the company’s 3,000 Arizona employees continue to work from home during this time, they are still finding ways to help in the community and help bring assistance to customers.
Yesterday, the James M. Cox Foundation, named after the company’s founder, announced a local gift of $25,000 to St. Mary’s Food Bank in Phoenix that will provide 175,000 meals. A small group of Cox and Cox Automotive employees gathered (practicing appropriate social distancing), to assist the St. Mary’s team in preparing food boxes for distribution on Wednesday, May 6 at Gila River Arena in Glendale where more than 500 families are expected to be served.
St. Mary’s Food Bank is committed to feeding hungry individuals and families in our community, providing more than 250,000 meals a day across nine of Arizona’s 15 counties. St. Mary’s also provides food supplies to more than 700 local community pantries all over the state.
“Especially during these difficult times when St. Mary’s is stretched to its limits, we are so appreciative to partners like Cox Communications who step up to help us feed as many Arizona families in need as possible,” Food Bank President and CEO Tom Kertis said. “This generous gift and volunteer assistance provides food and hope to many during this crisis and we thank them for the support.”
“Cox is deeply committed to the communities we serve and it is our hope that through this contribution to St. Mary’s, we will help sustain and provide comfort to those whose lives have been upended by COVID-19,” said John Wolfe, Southwest Region Manager and Senior Vice President for Cox. “We know that St. Mary’s is providing needs beyond anyone’s anticipation and keeping so many Arizona families afloat at this unprecedented time.”
During this challenging time, Cox has also been focused on supporting customers effected by COVID-19. Through June 30, Cox is keeping open to the general public the company’s 2,500+ WiFi hotspots, waiving late fees and not terminating internet and telephone service to any residential or small business customers because of an inability to pay due to disruptions caused by COVID-19. While education for our community’s children has shifted from schools to the home, Cox is helping to ensure digital equity for families of school-aged children enrolled in low-income assistance programs. The company has recently extended free internet access until July 15 through its Connect2Compete program for those who qualify and sign up by May 15.
Additionally, at a time when personal protection equipment (PPE) for health care workers is in such high demand, Cox stepped up with a donation of 10,000 protective shoe covers, normally worn by its field techs, to Banner Health to help protect frontline healthcare heroes against possible exposure to COVID-19
And to help protect our region’s homeless, Cox employees saw that St. Vincent de Paul was trying to feed and clothe those living on the streets despite an exponential increase in need while volunteers were being asked to stay at home due to COVID-19. To help, Cox recently donated fresh bulk food from the temporarily closed Cox Café including: Mushrooms, carrots, cabbage, ice burg lettuce, limes, tomatoes, honeydew melon, cilantro, red potatoes, red and yellow onion, apples and homemade salsa.
