MGM Resorts pledges $1M for employee emergency fund, donates equivalent of 400K meals to food banks

March 23, 2020 9:01 PM
  • CDC Gaming Reports
March 23, 2020 9:01 PM
  • CDC Gaming Reports

MGM Resorts International said Monday it was donating $1 million to its emergency relief fund to assist employees for short-term relief as the company navigates through the coronavirus pandemic shutdown, which forced the closure of its 20 resorts across the country, including 13 properties on the Las Vegas Strip.

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Also, MGM properties donated the equivalent of 400,000 meals across the United States to food banks in the communities where the company operates.

“As we confront extraordinary events and an unprecedented global pandemic crisis, we know that this is an extremely challenging and uncertain time for many of our employees, their families, friends, and neighbors and we are committed to help those in need,” MGM Acting CEO Bill Hornbuckle said in a statement.

The MGM Resorts Emergency Relief Fund provides employees and their immediate families with short-term relief in making payments or to meet obligations during unexpected hardships and emergencies.

The $1 million pledge will allow the fund to provide expanded coverage to assist those impacted by the coronavirus, including full-time employees, on-call employees and those facing layoff, separation or furlough.

The casino closure left roughly 70,000 employees out of work. The company said it as paying wages and benefits through the end of March.

“We have done a number of things to help our colleagues,” Hornbuckle said.

In addition to the financial contribution for employees, Hornbuckle said the company donated the equivalent of 400,000 meals through local food banks “to alleviate food insecurity in the United States.”

The food came from the company’s shuttered restaurants.

MGM launched a social impact and sustainability effort last year, which included donating 5 million meals through its Feeding Forward program by 2025.

“Our commitment to our employees and the communities in which we operate, conduct business and serve our customers, remains steadfast,” MGM Chief Diversity & Sustainability Officer Jyoti Chopra said in a statement.

Because of the closures, MGM Resorts has donated over 480,000 pounds of food – or 400,000 meals – to the communities in which it operates.  The company is working with local food banks to ensure all available fresh food from its resorts is safely and quickly donated to charitable organizations in several markets:

MGM Resorts International (Las Vegas): Across Las Vegas, MGM Resorts has donated 301,000 pounds of food to Three Square Food Bank. Nonperishable food has been donated from multiple MGM Strip properties along with bags for the distribution of food and meals. MGM will continue to work with Three Square as well as other food banks throughout the city to manage donation intake and food storage.

MGM National Harbor (Oxon Hill, Maryland): MGM National Harbor worked with food donor partner Nourish Now to contribute 55,000 pounds of food to community nonprofits. The food will provide more than 45,000 meals to Maryland residents throughout Montgomery County and Prince George’s County.

MGM Springfield (Massachusetts): MGM Springfield has donated 12,000 pounds to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Open Pantry Community Services and Friends of the Homeless. These donations will provide over 10,000 meals to Springfield residents in need.

Beau Rivage (Biloxi, Mississippi.):  Beau Rivage donated 25,000 pounds of food to multiple organizations including Extra Table, Loaves & Fishes, Lord is My Help and the Hancock County Food Pantry for individuals and families across the city. The effort will provide more than 20,000 meals to South Mississippi families who may have suddenly found themselves in need.

Gold Strike: (Tunica, Mississippi): Gold Strike has donated 10,000 pounds of food which is more than 8,000 meals to Sacred Heart Southern Mission.

MGM Northfield Park (Northfield, Ohio): Working with JACK Casino and JACK Thistledown, MGM Northfield Park has donated more than 3,000 pounds equal 2,500 meals of food to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, offering support to the Northeast Ohio community. They are continuing to donate throughout the week.

MGM Grand Detroit (Michigan): MGM Grand Detroit has donated approximately 15,000 pounds of produce and dairy products to Forgotten Harvest, a food distribution channel equal to 12,500 meals. MGM Grand Detroit also donated 3,000 gloves to medical professionals in the City of Detroit.

Borgata: (Atlantic City):  The Borgata has donated more than 35,000 pounds or about 30,000 meals to the Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic County and to the Community Food Bank of NJ.

Empire City: (Yonkers, New York):  Cariats of Port Chester received approximately 25,000 pounds of food from Empire City which equals 20,000 meals.