The Security Industry Association (SIA) Women in Security Forum (WISF) community has announced the 2024 CAN DO Challenge, a seven-week charitable initiative taking place October 14 through December 3 to encourage professionals and companies across the security industry to combat food insecurity during the holiday season.
CAN DO—spearheaded by the SIA WISF community’s UpliftHER 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. Single-mother-led households are 12% more likely to go hungry than single-father-led households. 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.
“Once again, we’re making it easy for individuals to participate and contribute,” explained Katie Krug, UpliftHER co-chair and senior account executive at SAGE Integration. “People can shop virtually for grocery items on the Philabundance.org site. 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 local organization in your community to support. Many are in need of extra volunteers this time of year and encourage individual or group signups!
- Get your company involved in collecting or serving food locally.
- Create a video and socialize in your sphere.
- Email your company, colleagues, 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.
SIA’s RISE community for emerging leaders and young professionals in the security industry intends to participate in this year’s CAN DO Challenge.
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.
