SIA Women in Security Forum Announces 2024 CAN DO Challenge to Combat Food Insecurity

WISF Kicks Off the Fifth Annual CAN DO Challenge, Encouraging the Security Industry and Beyond to Help Overcome Hunger in America This Holiday Season

SILVER SPRING, Md. – The Security Industry Association (SIA) Women in Security Forum (WISF) community has announced the 2024 CAN DO Challenge, a seven-week charitable initiative taking place Oct. 14 – Dec. 3 to encourage professionals and companies across the security industry to combat food insecurity during the holiday season.

CAN DO – spearheaded by the SIA WISF community’s UpliftHER Subcommittee – is about alleviating hunger as part of our industry’s collective commitment to human safety and well-being. Security professionals and organizations can participate by donating “cans” or “doing” acts – like delivering or serving meals.

“Women are more likely to suffer from food insecurity than men and are biologically more prone to malnutrition. Single-mother-lead households are 12% 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,” said Margie Gurwin, SIA WISF UpliftHER Subcommittee co-chair and owner of Content Creation Partners.

“Once again, we’re making it easy for individuals to participate and contribute,” explained Katie Krug, UpliftHER co-chair and senior account executive at SAGE Integration. “People can shop virtually for grocery items on the Philabundance.org site. In addition, we are encouraging exhibitors at ISC East to pack extra snack items to donate to RMM’s Snack Pack program at the end of the show.”

Here are some other ways you and/or your company 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.

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

SIA’s Women in Security Forum works to engage all security professionals to promote, recruit, and cultivate women’s leadership for a more inclusive and diversified industry. In addition to the CAN DO Challenge, the SIA Women in Security Forum offers several programs and activities, including the SIA Progress Award, which celebrates individuals who advance opportunities for women in the security industry; the SIA Women in Security Forum Scholarship, which furthers educational opportunities and advancement for a diverse security workforce; presentation of the Day 2 Keynote at ISC East; volunteer efforts that give back to the community; a virtual education series; collaborative projects with other organizations seeking to empower women in security and technology; sponsorship of the Women in Biometrics Awards; thought leadership and speaking opportunities; and engaging networking and professional growth events. Participation in the SIA Women in Security Forum is open to all employees of SIA member companies and SIA student members; learn more and get involved.

About SIA

SIA is the leading trade association for global security solution providers, with over 1,500 innovative member companies representing thousands of security leaders and experts who shape the future of the security industry. SIA protects and advances its members’ interests by advocating pro-industry policies and legislation at the federal and state levels, creating open industry standards that enable integration, advancing industry professionalism through education and training, opening global market opportunities and collaborating with other like-minded organizations. As the premier sponsor of ISC Events expos and conferences, SIA ensures its members have access to top-level buyers and influencers, as well as unparalleled learning and network opportunities. SIA also enhances the position of its members in the security marketplace through SIA GovSummit, which brings together private industry with government decision-makers, and Securing New Ground, the security industry’s top executive conference for peer-to-peer networking.