Social

Our Purpose

For more than a century, our belief in doing the right thing has not only shaped us but also shaped our businesses and our communities. By partnering with nonprofits, organizations and charitable entities, we empower employees to donate their time, talents and resources to help us collectively build a stronger, more sustainable future. At Sonoco, we are deeply invested in our people and the communities we serve.

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Humane Society and Paws

Building a Better Life for Our Furry Friends

Sonoco has proudly supported the Darlington County Humane Society since 2015—donating food and supplies, organizing company volunteers and providing resources to animals in need.

In 2024, we furthered that commitment by sponsoring a new Animal Adoption & Education Center in our hometown of Hartsville, SC. The facility provides much needed shelter, medical care and adoption services for hundreds of cats and dogs, while offering dedicated space for animal awareness education and training.

This space includes Sonoco's PAWS (Positive Advocates Working with Students) mentorship program where students participate in discipline-specific job shadowing opportunities. At the heart of the transformed facility is the multi-functional, technology-equipped space for these educational programs, community meetings and events.

In addition, PAWS volunteers from Sonoco provide mentorship once a week in cooperation with schools with various educational tracts. In 2024, 53 mentor/mentee pairings were facilitated.

Sonoco In Action

How We Give Back

Our support for the Humane Society is one example of what falls under our Sonoco in Action umbrella – the charitable arm of three distinct service areas supported by Sonoco employees and corporate donations. These include our:

Sonoco Gives Fund dedicated to non-profit organizations
Sonoco Community Fund for community engagement activities
Employee Events Fund for company-sponsored programs

At Sonoco, we believe perspective makes us stronger.

We foster a work environment where employees know they are respected, treated fairly and encouraged to share ideas.

Our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) create programs to promote education, awareness and communication among our teammates and communities. ERGs host learning sessions, events and team building opportunities through mentoring, networking and professional workshops year-round.

Employee Resource Groups

Black Employees @Sonoco

We celebrate the voices and experiences of Black employees while fostering a culture of respect, inclusion and equity. Our environment builds respect for all Sonoco employees while valuing the uniqueness of the Black employees’ cultural perspectives that contribute to business success.

Diverse Abilities @Sonoco

We create a safe and inclusive space for individuals with non-typical neurological or physical abilities, as well as their caregivers. Through advocacy, education and support, we empower one another to thrive.

Latinos de Sonoco

We connect, celebrate and support the Latino community at Sonoco by sharing culture, experiences and ideas. Our goal is to foster belonging and amplify the value of Latino voices across the organization.

LGBTQ+

We strive to foster a workplace where employees feel empowered to express their authentic selves. Through advocacy and awareness, we promote understanding to ensure every voice is valued.

Military Professionals

We support veterans and active service members by building a strong internal network, aiding career transitions and contributing to Sonoco’s recruitment and retention efforts.

Sonoco Caregivers

We provide a community of understanding for caregivers of any kind to come together, support one another, leverage resources and advocate for needs that will allow them to thrive both in their caregiving roles and professional careers.

Sonoco Cares

We support a fulfilling workplace rooted in service, empathy and community support. Through volunteerism and engagement, we strengthen connections within Sonoco and beyond.

Sonoco Young Professionals

We empower early-career professionals to grow through development, mentorship and connection. Our group supports retention, leadership potential and long-term career success at Sonoco.

Women @ Sonoco

We champion the advancement of women by providing space for dialogue, mentorship and growth. Our mission is to develop strong leaders and promote gender equity across Sonoco.

Supporting our People

Employee Relief Fund

Seeded in 2023, the Sonoco Emergency Financial Relief Fund provides tax-free grants of up to $1,500 to U.S. employees facing personal hardship or unforeseen crises.

When Hurricane Helene struck the Southeastern U.S. in 2024—impacting dozens of facilities and hundreds of team members who live in these regions—Sonoco responded by increasing the grant to $5,000 and allocating an additional $100,000 through the Sonoco Gives Fund to support future employee relief. We also contributed $90,000 to the American Red Cross to aid broader recovery efforts across affected states.

The Relief Fund reflects our commitment to supporting the people who make Sonoco strong—especially when they need it most.

Learn More About How People Build Business

Reach out to us directly if you have an idea or request concerning our social engagement activities and opportunities.