The Caterpillar Foundation has announced an investment with Second Harvest Japan that will provide direct assistance to households in need through pantries, care packages and mobile pantries. Second Harvest Japan provides a wide assortment of healthy foods for various recipients including refugees from more than 65 different countries. Second Harvest Japan also supports recipients with dietary restrictions, a concern which often impacts what can or cannot be accepted by a family in need.

The Caterpillar Foundation is committed to supporting programs that are focused on alleviating poverty through investments that help address its root causes. The Foundation first began investing in Second Harvest Japan in 2006, an organization that recognizes the importance of collaboration and research.

“We are proud to work with Second Harvest Japan to help those who may not know where their next meal will come from,” said Michele Sullivan, president of the Caterpillar Foundation. “Through our work, we support the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those focused on ending poverty and hunger. When people’s basic human needs are met, they are able to more effectively pursue economic and educational opportunities. And when they can do so, an entire community can benefit.”

“It has been an honor for us to partner with the Caterpillar Foundation to work on this important project. Over the years, Caterpillar and the Caterpillar Foundation have been incredible partners by supporting us with volunteers and funding,” said Charles McJilton, CEO of Second Harvest Japan. “Being a pioneer in creating a food safety-net for Japan can be challenging, but with partners like Caterpillar working alongside us, we are reminded that we do not do this work alone. Together we are providing the future with a new public asset – one that will match surplus food with those in need and give peace of mind to many, many households.”

Japan has a relatively high poverty rate (16%), but very few places where those in need can access emergency food assistance. In Tokyo alone, nearly two million people live below the poverty line, and yet there are less than 20 food assistance distribution sites available. In comparison, New York City has 1,100; San Francisco has 250; and

Hong Kong has 160 distribution locations. Second Harvest Japan’s goal is to create a food safety-net for 100,000 unique users in Tokyo by 2020. To achieve this goal, they have launched the project, "Tokyo 2020: Food for 100,000."

Second Harvest Japan envisions the long-term impact of this program will increase food security for those in need. In addition, in the future, the central kitchen can be used as a training facility for the unemployed and those wishing to move into higher paying jobs.

About Caterpillar Foundation
Founded in 1952, Caterpillar's philanthropic organization, the Caterpillar Foundation, has contributed more than $715 million to help make sustainable progress possible around the world by providing program support in the areas of basic needs, education and environmental sustainability. To learn more about the global impact of the Caterpillar Foundation, visit www.togetherstronger.com. To connect with us on social media, visit caterpillar.com/social-media.

About Second Harvest Japan
Second Harvest Japan is working to create a food safety-net so that those in need such as single-parent households, the elderly, refugees and migrant workers, as well as low-income households can have access to the food they need. Second Harvest Japan also provides food to about 300 welfare institutions, NPOs, faith-based groups, regional food banks and after-school programs each month. As of the end of July 2018, they have signed donor agreements with over 1,500 companies and organizations. Second Harvest Japan continues to pioneer food banking.