As California braced for expected severe rainstorms that would bring flooding, mudslides and downed trees in January, Marathon employees at the Martinez Renewable Fuels Facility in Martinez, California, looked for ways to help some of the most vulnerable people in the community. Employees identified more than 200 high-quality rain jackets in storage that were no longer needed at the site, but that could be used to provide protection for people living outdoors.

Marathon’s Community Investments Representative Nichol Carranza contacted the Coordinated Outreach Referral, and Engagement (CORE) Program team, who works to support homeless individuals in Contra Costa County, to coordinate the donation. The CORE team was able to distribute the rain gear to people living in homeless camps before the next rainstorm hit.

“We have worked together on several community investment initiatives, so we were able to connect the dots quickly,” said Carranza. “Donating these rain jackets during this time of sudden need is one quick but meaningful way we are able to help our neighbors – something that is very important to us.”

Marathon has partnered with CORE by providing $20,000 in grants over the past three years. The additional $5,000 in-kind donation of rain jackets further supported its mission. Marathon has supported several organizations dedicated to serving the homeless people in California through more than $33,000 in grants in 2022 and nearly $30,000 in grants in 2021.