Levi Strauss Foundation Provides Cash Grants to San Francisco LGBT and HIV/AIDS Nonprofits

Levi Strauss & Co. employees to volunteer on “501 Day” at organizations that serve the local LGBT and HIV/AIDS community

On May 1, “501 Day,” Levi Strauss & Co. (LS&CO.) employees across the United States will take the day off from their usual work to volunteer with nonprofit organizations in their communities, and the Levi Strauss Foundation will make cash grants to those organizations to support the critical community services they provide. This year, those grants include donations to organizations that serve the San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community and support issues that are important to the LGBT community, including HIV/AIDS.

The San Francisco LGBT Center, an organization that provides services and support to unite the San Francisco LGBT community and its allies, will receive a cash grant on May 1. In addition, Levi Strauss & Co. volunteer workers will work that day to help paint and spruce up the community center. Levi Strauss & Co. also is providing volunteers and its foundation is making grants on May 1 to two HIV/AIDS-related organizations: Out of The Closet and the AIDS Memorial Grove.

Out of The Closet is a chain of thrift stores located in Northern and Southern California owned and operated by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest specialized provider of HIV/AIDS medicine and services, regardless of recipients’ ability to pay. Three locations, including the Polk St. store in San Francisco, offer free HIV testing and counseling in a private area of the stores. Levi Strauss & Co. volunteers will create store and window displays and help sort clothing in preparation for sale at the Polk and Church St. stores in San Francisco. The National AIDS Memorial Grove, located in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, is a natural space dedicated to remembering individuals who have died as a result of AIDS. LS&CO. volunteers will help with clean up, restoration and gardening at the Memorial Grove.

“Social justice and HIV/AIDS response are issues that are important to our hometown community and a longtime focus for Levi Strauss & Co. and the Levi Strauss Foundation,” said Daniel Lee, Executive Director, the Levi Strauss Foundation. “In these difficult economic times, it is more important than ever to step up and help these organizations that provide such vital services to people in need.”

The cash grants and volunteer support for The San Francisco LBGT Center Out of The Closet and the AIDS Memorial Grove are part of Levi Strauss & Co.’s annual global Community Day initiative, which kicks off in San Francisco when 800 of the company’s Bay Area employees will spread out across the city to spend the day providing volunteer work at a total of 27 local nonprofit organizations. Employees across the Bay Area and in offices throughout the United States will be busy with a variety of labor-intensive activities, including painting, cleaning, gardening and other much-needed jobs to help local organizations that serve – in addition to the Lesbian, Gay Bisexual and Transgender and HIV/AIDS communities – the homeless, youth and schools, health issues and the environment. Each of these San Francisco organizations will receive a cash grant to help further this important work. Total cash grants to be given to San Francisco nonprofits on May 1 will exceed $165,000, more than double last year’s grants.

About Levi Strauss & Co.

Levi Strauss & Co. is one of the world’s largest branded apparel companies and the global leader in jeanswear, marketing its products in more than 110 countries worldwide. The company designs and markets jeans, casual wear and related accessories for men, women and children under the Levi’s®, Dockers® San Francisco and Signature by Levi Strauss & Co.™ brands. For more information, go to http://levistrauss.com.

Community Volunteerism at Levi Strauss & Co.

Employee community involvement is an important part of Levi Strauss & Co.’s culture and history. Levi Strauss was a businessman and philanthropist who was deeply involved in his community. His work and commitment have been carried forward by Levi Strauss & Co. and the Levi Strauss Foundation for more than 156 years. Through matching-gift programs, company-supported group and individual volunteering programs, paid time off to volunteer and other initiatives, the company and the Levi Strauss foundation offer employees and retirees a variety of ways to make a difference in their local communities.

Employees in 43 countries will take a day away from work in the month of May to assist local community organizations and the company’s foundation will recognize the efforts with cash grants. In 2008, employees in 43 countries volunteered on 167 projects and the foundation made nearly $300,000 in grants in recognition. This year, the Foundation estimates it will make $7.5 million in grants globally.
Contacts

Levi Strauss & Co.
E.J. Bernacki, 415-501-6262
ebernacki {at} levi(.)com
Jeff Beckman, 415-501-1698
jbeckman {at} levi(.)com