CCSWB - November 2024

In an era where digital literacy and educational equity have become increasingly critical, Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages (AC-CCSWB) is making significant strides in bridging educational gaps across Texas communities, with a particular focus on the Greater Houston area. The local Coca-Cola bottler, which serves millions of Texans, continues to bolster its educational support initiative that spans from university scholarships to investing heavily in the Houston area Boys & Girls Clubs, targeting historically underserved communities and first-generation college students. “Creating better opportunities and building better learning environments for our students is important to us. We want to shape the next generation of leaders for the city of Houston and beyond. Our ultimate goal for the communities where we live and work is to build a more sustainable, inclusive future for all. This care extends to our local students because we want them to know that their imagination is not out of reach – the possibilities are endless,” says Ada Ortega, Director of Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability.

Building a Brighter Houston: How This Local Coca-Cola Bottler Invests in Education for a Better Tomorrow

By StoryStudio on November 15, 2024

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Unlocking the Future Potential of Houston Kids with the Boys & Girls Club

Beyond infrastructure improvements, CCSWB has forged strategic partnerships with organizations focused on advancing educational equity. The company has become a key supporter of the Latino Learning Center and Latinos for Education, organizations dedicated to empowering Latino students through educational initiatives. The bottler's commitment to empowering its community in education extends to its partnership with the UNCF Houston Chapter. CCSWB not only participates in the UNCF Walk for Education, which raises scholarship funds for underrepresented students in South Texas but also hosted the UNCF Community Partnership Breakfast at their Northpoint Facility in Houston to support historically Black colleges and universities. Perhaps most notably, CCSWB has established the First Gen Scholarship Program at Texas Southern University and Our Lady of The Lake University of Houston. The program provides thousands of dollars in financial support to first-generation college students, covering not just tuition but also living expenses – often the hidden barrier to college completion. “CCSWB’s goal to support first-generation students aligns perfectly with our mission of developing students into lifelong learners, engaged citizens, and creative leaders in their local, national, and global communities here at Texas Southern University,” says Yvette Barker, Interim Assistant Vice President for Student Life & Engagement at TSU.

Freshwater Conservation

Besides packaging, CCSWB drives positive change through its water conservation methods. The company has embraced innovative freshwater and agricultural initiatives through partnerships to support areas that provide a replenishing water source to its facilities. In 2020, CCSWB and The Coca-Cola Foundation supported The Nature Conservancy’s efforts by pledging $2 million to meet water needs across the region. This cooperative impact spotlighted a statewide ad campaign about the strain on freshwater resources, as well as uplifted conservation both in CCSWB’s plants and local community. Like many of the Coca-Cola bottlers across the country, CCSWB donates empty ingredient barrels to local nonprofits for storage tanks. Events like EarthX in Fort Worth use these barrels to help collect rainwater for recycling and reuse. Since 2013, CCSWB has donated over 3,000 barrels to potentially save more than 3.4 million gallons of water per year, resulting in the company’s largest active partnership.

Sustaining, Together

Since 2020, CCSWB has reduced its carbon emissions by 46 million pounds and decreased annual plastic waste by 78 million pounds. The company’s enthusiasm for sustainability, not only in its production but community, shows no sign of slowing down in the coming years. With its local partnerships, CCSWB recognizes the power of cooperation, such as with the City of McAllen and the Keep McAllen Beautiful group, which promoted recycling efforts, resulting in the collection of over 24 million plastic bottles. CCSWB understands that to make a tangible difference in the world, it must be the first to act. And to make lasting, meaningful, long-term change, we must do so together!

Learn more about CCSWB’s initiatives at cocacolaswb.com

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At the heart of this initiative is a major partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Houston, where CCSWB has transformed two locations – Spring Branch and Harvard – into state-of-the-art STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Mathematics) centers, or tech labs. Like a similar initiative CCSWB undertook in San Antonio and McAllen, these revamped facilities increased education equity in the region, serving over a thousand children in the greater Houston area.

By providing access to cutting-edge technology and educational resources that might otherwise be out of reach, CCSWB is fostering an environment that will produce the next generation of Houston thought leaders and game changers. “Technology continues to advance, especially in education, and we understand some students depending on where you live may not have access to these innovative tools. Our partnership with the local chapter of Boys & Girls Clubs here in Houston gave us an opportunity to level the playing field for these specific students. I regularly visit these locations to engage with the students and I am blown away by the technology. It’s making a profound difference for so many students,” says Ada Ortega, Director of Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability.

Empowering Houston Students

Renewable Energy

While sustainability is certainly about the usage of clean, recyclable materials, it also extends to the energy powering company facilities. Across all Texas-based deregulated locations, CCSWB purchases 100% renewable energy, making it the first long-term energy contract of this size among Coca-Cola bottlers in North America. Northpoint, the company’s newest Houston-based facility, is also 100% powered by renewable energy. Plus, since opening in 2020, the location has reduced the energy requirement for manufacturing operations by 8%.

Our partnership with the local chapter of Boys & Girls Clubs here in Houston gave us an opportunity to level the playing field for these specific students."

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Ada Ortega, Director of Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability

Arca-Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages recognizes its outsized impact on the region. As the local Coca-Cola bottler serving 31 million consumers in Texas and parts of Arkansas, New Mexico and Oklahoma that employs over 8,800 associates operating 7 production plants and 37 sales and distribution facilities, accepts a responsibility to ensure the success of future generations. As educational institutions across Texas grapple with evolving technological demands and changing student demographics, CCSWB's multi-faceted approach to educational support offers a blueprint for corporate community engagement. By focusing on both immediate needs, like access to technology, and long-term goals, such as college completion, the company is helping to create sustainable pathways to success for Texas students who will later have a global impact. Their initiatives represent a significant shift in corporate community involvement, moving beyond traditional charitable giving to create lasting educational infrastructure and opportunities. It’s here that CCSWB makes its lasting mark on the lives of the communities it serves. As CCSWB continues to expand these programs across Texas, thousands more students stand to benefit from this comprehensive approach to educational support.

Local Focus, Global Impact