Dinant volunteers receive “happy streets” award for community support in Honduras
Company recognized for commitment to vulnerable families in San Pedro Sula
Dinant volunteers have been honored with the “Happy Streets, Safe Communities”award in recognition of their support for vulnerable families in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. For many years, Dinant staff have joined with USAID, FUNADEH (the National Foundation for the Development of Honduras) and others in the “Happy Streets, Safe Communities” initiative in San Pedro Sula that uses a range of recreational activities – including music, traditional games and exhibitions – to promote harmony among the people of these proud but often troubled neighborhoods. As part of this program, Dinant’s work with vulnerable women and children has been recognized by local communities as a token of their gratitude and trust in the company. Dinant Spokesman, Roger Pineda, said,“I am pleasedthat so many Dinant staff give back to local communities by volunteering their time to support families less fortunate than their own. I know how much my colleagues in San Pedro Sula enjoy supporting the “Happy Streets, Safe Communities” initiative and I am delighted that their unstinting commitment has been acknowledged in this way.” Mr. Pineda continued, “San Pedro Sula is the home of Dinant’s popular Yummies and Zambos snacks, made in our hi-tech factory using fresh vegetables grown on our plantations or supplied by local independent farmers. Despite the city’s problems, we care deeply about the well-being of our employees, the farmers who supply our processing plant, and the surrounding communities. We have always been enormously proud of the contribution we make to the local economy of San Pedro Sula, and now we can be equally proud of the impact that our staff volunteers have on families in need.” About Corporación Dinant Dinant is a family-owned consumer products manufacturer founded in Honduras in 1960. Its products are sold across Central America and the Dominican Republic, and exported to global markets. Dinant employs 8,000 people, supports over 22,000 livelihoods, generates millions of US dollars in exports for theHonduran economy, and contributes significantly to all communities in which it operates. Dinant enhances the lives of many people in its local communities by creating thousands of well-paid sustainable jobs with company pensions and compensation levels well above the national minimum wage, and by significantly improving skills, education and health.In partnership with highly qualified social sector consultants, Dinant has expanded its Community Engagement Program through such initiatives as stakeholder surveys, local community grievance mechanisms and the recruitment of professional community liaison workers based at the heart of local communities.
