Candy makers step up to help hurricane victims
Wholesome Sweeteners, Atkinson Candies and CandyRiffic contribute funds, sweets and moral support.
Despite experiencing flooding in its own administrative offices, Sugar Land, Texas-based Wholesome Sweeteners has contributed to disaster relief after Hurricane Harvey pummeled the Gulf Coast region of the state.
The organic candy and sweetener manufacturer, based about 20 miles southwest of Houston, said all local staff members are safe and accounted for, and business operations continued as normal from a temporary location until the office reopened.
Wholesome’s core business and product distribution services were largely unaffected, though the company also has distribution facilities on the east coast of Florida, which was impacted by Hurricane Irma just weeks after.
"We want to thank all of the first responders and volunteers who have been working around the clock," Wholesome CEO Olu Beck said. "Our thoughts are with our employees, customers, suppliers – and their friends and families – who have been affected or may be impacted by these hurricanes."
Wholesome has also donated $10,000 and more than 25,000 bags of candy to support Harvey recovery efforts coordinated by Feeding Texas.
Atkinson Candy, based in the East Texas city of Lufkin, also contributed to hurricane relief effort by donating 100 percent of online sales Sept. 1 to the Houston area American Red Cross and the Houston SPCA to help people and pets displaced by flooding.
“We are Texas proud and Texas strong! It is important that we come together and help our neighbors during this difficult time,” President Eric Atkinson said. “Luckily, our production facility has not been affected by this weather event, but so many people in East Texas have lost everything. We want to help those people in any way we can and we urge others to do the same.”
CandyRific has done exactly that. The Louisville, Ky.-based novelty candy manufacturer shipped 52,000 candy and novelty pieces to Houston. The five-pallet shipment, representing a total of more than 3,300 pounds, was sent as a sign of hope and empathy.
“As good citizens, when we see a problem where we can help those in need, we want to do something,” said CandyRific President Rob Auerbach. “This is our way of showing gratitude.”
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