SIA Women in Security Forum announces 2023 CAN DO Challenge to combat food insecurity

WISF KICKS OFF THE FOURTH ANNUAL CAN DO CHALLENGE, ENCOURAGING THE SECURITY INDUSTRY AND BEYOND TO HELP OVERCOME HUNGER IN AMERICA THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

SILVER SPRING, Md. – The Security Industry Association (SIA) Women in Security Forum (WISF) has announced the 2023 CAN DO Challenge, a 6-week charitable initiative taking place Oct. 17 – Nov. 28 to encourage professionals and companies across the security industry to combat food insecurity during the holiday season.

CAN DO – spearheaded by the SIA WISF UpliftHER Subcommittee (formerly called the Charitable Giving Subcommittee) – is about alleviating hunger as part of our industry’s collective commitment to human safety and well-being. Security professionals and organizations can participate by donating “cans” or “doing” acts – like delivering or serving meals.

“Women are more likely to suffer from food insecurity than men and are biologically more prone to malnutrition. Since the first CAN DO Challenge in 2020, this annual giveback event has helped nourish thousands of America’s most vulnerable, thanks to the generosity of SIA members,” said Margie Gurwin, SIA WISF UpliftHER Subcommittee co-chair and owner of Content Creation Partners.

“This year, we’re making it easier for individuals to participate and contribute through partnerships with Philadelphia-based Philabundance and New York City’s Rauschenbusch Metro Ministries (RMM),” explained Liz Gyuris, UpliftHER co-chair and channel engagement manager at RAJANT Corporation. “People can shop virtually for grocery items on the Philabundance site or choose items from RMM’s Amazon Wish List and ship them directly to the ministry. In addition, we are encouraging exhibitors at ISC East to pack extra snack items to donate to RMM’s Snack Pack program at the end of the show.”

Here are some other ways you and/or your company can participate in the CAN DO Challenge:

• Pick a beneficiary personally in your community to serve.
• Get your company involved in collecting or serving food locally.
• Create a video and socialize in your sphere.
• Email your company, colleagues, SIA membership, friends, etc., or post on social media about the challenge. Don’t forget to take pictures and use the suggested hashtags #WISF, #CanDoChallenge and #EndHunger for amplification.
• Remember, if your only giving option is donating money, that still counts as kindness. It’s better to give how you CAN than not at all. Links are available to a wealth of charitable food banks.

Donations made by exhibitors at ISC East 2023 can be accepted at SIA’s ISC East booth, #1037.

The WISF UpliftHER Subcommittee is currently seeking volunteers to join the subcommittee and support the WISF community’s charitable efforts, including the CAN DO Challenge. Interested individuals can sign up to volunteer here.

Learn more about the CAN DO Challenge, access helpful images and social media resources to help get the word out, and find information on organizations to volunteer or donate on the CAN DO page.

SIA’s Women in Security Forum is a community that works to promote, recruit and cultivate the leadership of women for a more inclusive and diversified industry.

In addition to the CAN DO Challenge, WISF offers a number of key programs and activities, including the SIA Progress Award, which celebrates individuals who advance opportunities for women in the security industry; the WISF Power 100, an annual initiative showcasing 100 women who are role models, leaders, innovators and influencers in global security; the WISF Scholarship, which awards SIA members and students with funds to further educational opportunities and advancement for a diverse security workforce; organizing keynote series events like the WISF Keynote Series Breakfast at ISC East and keynote breakfast at ISC West; co-leadership of the Security LeadHER conference in partnership with ASIS International; volunteer efforts that give back to the community; collaborative projects with other organizations that seek to empower women in the security and technology fields; sponsorship of the SIA Women in Biometrics Awards program; thought leadership and speaking opportunities; and engaging networking and professional growth events. Participation in the SIA Women in Security Forum is open to all employees of SIA member companies; learn more and get involved.