Union Pacific is stepping up to support employees and community organizations responding to the pandemic’s needs, providing funding to Friend to Friend Network and the GivePLUS Matching Gifts program to help those affected by COVID-19.
Friend to Friend Network, a nonprofit organization run by employee-volunteers and retirees, helps active and retired railroaders, and their families, who have been impacted by health or dwelling-related hardships. A $500,000 donation from UP allows Friend to Friend Network to expand its support to include employees furloughed due to the business impact of COVID-19 and facing those same hardships.
UP also is helping employees stretch their community donations further. Effective March 1 through the end of the year, the railroad is increasing its match to two-to-one on gifts to local food banks or hospitals with a 501(c)3 designation through its GivePLUS Matching Gifts program.
At the same time, the railroad’s board of directors increased funding to UP’s Community Ties Giving Program to address critical needs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. During this unprecedented time, an additional $5 million investment will be distributed in local grants to nonprofit organizations where funding will directly benefit communities served by UP.