The Security Industry Association (SIA) Women in Security Forum (WISF) community has unveiled the 2024 CAN DO Challenge. This seven-week initiative (Oct. 14-Dec. 3) invites security industry professionals and organizations to join forces in addressing food insecurity throughout the holiday season. 

The CAN DO Challenge, led by the UpliftHER Subcommittee within the WISF, focuses on reducing hunger as part of the security industry’s broader dedication to human safety and well-being. Security professionals and organizations are encouraged to take part by contributing canned goods or performing helpful actions, such as delivering or serving meals. 

“Women are more likely to suffer from food insecurity than men and are biologically more prone to malnutrition,” said Margie Gurwin, SIA WISF UpliftHER Subcommittee co-chair and owner of Content Creation Partners. “Single-mother-lead households are 12 percent more likely to go hungry than single-father-lead households. Since the first CAN DO Challenge in 2020, this annual giveback event has helped nourish thousands of America’s most vulnerable, thanks to the generosity of SIA members.” 

Katie Krug, UpliftHER co-chair and senior account executive at SAGE Integration, explained the initiative makes it easy for individuals to participate and contribute. “People can shop virtually for grocery items on the Philabundance.org site,” she said. 

Other ways individuals or companies can participate in the CAN DO Challenge: 

• Pick a local organization in your community to support. Many are in need of extra volunteers this time of year and encourage individual or group signups.
• Get your company involved in collecting or serving food locally.
• Create a video and socialize in your sphere.
• Email your company, colleagues, friends, etc., or post on social media about the challenge. Don’t forget to take pictures and use the suggested hashtags #WISF, #CanDoChallenge and #EndHunger for amplification.
• Remember, if your only giving option is donating money, that still counts as kindness. It’s better to give how you CAN than not at all. Links are available to a wealth of charitable food banks. 

SIA’s RISE community for emerging leaders and young professionals in the security industry intends to participate in this year’s CAN DO Challenge. 

To learn more about the initiative, access helpful images and social media resources to help get the word out, and find information on organizations to volunteer or donate, visit the CAN DO page.