"Responsibility for society and the environment is not just something we have anchored in our corporate mission statement. We put these ideas into practice by providing targeted support for projects and initiatives. Sustainability plays a major role when selecting projects," says Dr. Thomas Bentz, general partner of the Melitta Group. These include country-specific projects in the field of education/social affairs, culture and sport at all the Group's major locations. The "100 Opportunities" project with SOS-Kinderdorf is a first for Melitta: it is the first integrated, group-wide project involving all main locations. Melitta is focusing its support on three SOS Children's Villages in Germany (Detmold), Brazil (Poá) and the USA (Coconut Creek) - providing both financial support and the opportunity for staff to give active help to the projects.

Germany (SOS-Berufsausbildungszentrum, Detmold)

For a variety of personal and social reasons, many young people have problems finding a company which will provide them with a vocational training program. The SOS-Berufsausbildungszentrum Detmold gives those people requiring special support and development the possibility to gain a professional training qualification. Such recognized training certificates provide a solid basis for establishing an independent existence.

Germany is both home to the Melitta Group (headquartered in Minden) and the main market for its products. Over half the Group's total work force live and work here. Providing a new perspective for disadvantaged children in the region is something the company is firmly committed to. For example, Melitta is involved in numerous social and cultural projects at its German locations. Supporting the SOS-Berufsbildungszentrum in Detmold also makes sense for Melitta as an employer: skilled staff are very important for the region - every support given to training young people for future jobs helps.

Brazil (SOS Children's Village Poá, São Paulo)

The SOS Children's Village Poá was one of the first in Brazil and is situated in the town of the same name, some 35 km east of the mega-city São Paulo. It consists of ten family houses. Skills training programs are offered in a neighboring youth home. An SOS Social Center takes care of children, from two months to seven years, from poor families living on the outskirts of Poá and without the possibility to look after their children during the day. Parents and single mothers are also offered courses aimed at making them more independent in everyday life and above all giving them an employment perspective.

Melitta has four facilities in Brazil, the home of coffee. The headquarters of Melitta's largest foreign subsidiary are located in São Paulo. Programs for socially disadvantaged children have long been part of Melitta Brazil's CSR activities and are now being complemented by the Group's support for the SOS Children's Village Poá.

USA (SOS Children's Village Coconut Creek, Florida)

The SOS Children's Village Coconut Creek near Fort Lauderdale in Florida/USA has been operating since 1993. It comprises eleven family houses for 60 children. From the age of 14, the SOS Children's Village offers young people programs to help them become more independent. With targeted remedial teaching, SOS tries in particular to compensate for any learning difficulties children may have, helping them achieve good school grades with the aim of finding employment.

Melitta USA is America's leading supplier of filter papers and specialty coffees. At its head office in Clearwater, Florida, the company is also heavily involved with issues concerning children - in the form of local projects, targeted sponsoring or voluntary staff participation. The SOS Children's Village in Coconut Creek represents a further area of focus for the company.

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Melitta Group
Melitta was founded in Dresden in 1908 and is today an internationally operating family-owned company based in Minden, Germany. The Melitta Group companies develop, produce and market products for the household and food service sectors under the brand names Melitta® (Coffee Enjoyment), Cilia® (Tea Enjoyment), Toppits®, Albal®, Glad® (Freshness and Flavour), Swirl® and handy bag® (Convenient Cleaning).

SOS-Kinderdörfer
Hermann Gmeiner founded the world's first SOS-Kinderdorf in Imst/Tyrol in 1949. It has since grown into a global organization, financed mainly by private donations. There are currently 482 SOS Children's Villages in 132 nations, 15 in Germany alone, which offer children a new and safe home. In addition to the SOS Children's Villages, there are also over 1,400 additional SOS institutions.

 

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