GP Cellulose in Memphis Continues Building Up United Way of the Mid-South

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June 06, 2017


 

GP CELLULOSE IN MEMPHIS CONTINUES BUILDING UP UNITED WAY OF THE MID-SOUTH
​Ongoing Support Strengthens Local Impact and Sustainability in Battle Against Poverty

 
MEMPHIS, June 6, 2017 – Today, Memphis Cellulose LLC, a subsidiary of GP Cellulose, announced that it has donated approximately $50,000 to the United Way of the Mid-South in 2017 – a combination of general support and employee donations – to assist the organization in its call to arms against poverty in the Mid-South.
 
“We are committed to creating value in the communities in which we operate and we believe that the United Way of the Mid-South is leveraging the in-kind and monetary investments we have made in the last few years to create value in the community,” said GP Memphis Cellulose mill manager Chuck LaPorte. “We are pleased to continue supporting the efforts of the United Way of the Mid-South in its campaign against poverty. We believe that giving back to the communities where we operate is a key social component of our sustainability initiatives as strong communities make life better for everyone – our employees, neighbors and customers.”
 
In 2015, GP Cellulose donated the office building, valued at approximately $1.3 million, which formerly served as the headquarters for Buckeye Technologies which GP acquired in 2013. Additionally, office equipment, furnishings and a cash contribution of $100,000 were donated to the United Way of the Mid-South to use in the transition into the new building. Since the building donation, GP has continued to provide general support through the avenues of corporate and employee giving to support the United Way of the Mid-South.
 
“Georgia Pacific is our caring, next-door neighbor – we’re housed right next to their Memphis location – and in many ways, they have been a tremendous partner in our organization’s reinvigoration as a focal point for helping more people escape poverty so they can live the life of their dreams. From giving us our headquarters building, working with us during the conversion of the space and continuing to support our work with donations, Georgia Pacific is a tremendously vital part of the United Way family,” said Dr. Kenneth S. Robinson, President and CEO of United Way of the Mid-South.
 
Georgia-Pacific is a long-time supporter of the United Way in locations where it has facilities. The donation underscores GP Cellulose’s commitment to create the greatest value in the communities where it operates. By the end of 2017, GP Cellulose operations in Memphis including the mill and Technology & Innovation Center have invested nearly $2 million in direct and in-kind donations to local charitable organizations including the United Way of the Mid-South since GP acquired the former Buckeye Technologies in 2013, that support education, community enrichment, entrepreneurship, and the environment.
 
About Georgia-Pacific
Based in Atlanta, Georgia-Pacific and its subsidiaries are among the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of bath tissue, paper towels and napkins, tableware, paper-based packaging, office papers, cellulose, specialty fibers, nonwoven fabrics, building products and related chemicals.  Our familiar consumer brands include Quilted Northern®, Angel Soft®, Brawny®, enMotion®, Sparkle®, Mardi Gras® and Vanity Fair®, as well as Dixie®. Georgia-Pacific has long been a leading supplier of building products to lumber and building materials dealers and large do-it-yourself warehouse retailers. Its GP Harmon Recycling subsidiary is among the world largest recyclers of paper, metal and plastics. The company employs approximately 35,000 people directly, and creates nearly 92,000 jobs indirectly. For more information, visit: gp.com.
 
About United Way of the Mid-South
Located in Memphis, TN, United Way of the Mid-South serves an 8-county region which includes parts of west TN, east AR and north MS. United Way of the Mid-South and its network of partners has positively impacted education, financial stability and health in the area since 1923. The organization employs a staff of 42 and generates millions in fundraising for its network thanks to the work of thousands of dedicated volunteers. United Way also uses innovative programs like Driving The Dream and the Free Tax Prep initiative (helping prepare and file for over $11 million in refunds to local tax filers last year) to address local issues. For more information visit uwmidsouth.org.
Contact:
James Barnes
901-320-8612