SIA WISF announces 2021 CAN DO Challenge to combat food insecurity

SILVER SPRING, Md.—The Security Industry Association (SIA) Women in Security Forum (WISF) has announced the 2021 CAN DO Challenge, a charitable initiative taking place Nov. 15-30 to encourage professionals and companies across the security industry to combat food insecurity during the holiday season.

CAN DO – spearheaded by the SIA WISF Charitable Giving Subcommittee – is about alleviating hunger as part of the 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.

“The SIA Women in Security Forum is excited to kick off the 2021 CAN DO Challenge and get the security industry going to DO what we CAN do combat hunger,” said Alice DiSanto, chair of the SIA WISF Charitable Giving Subcommittee and vice president of global marketing at Rajant Corp. “It’s all about galvanizing ourselves, our sphere of influence and our companies to do more within the security industry to offset food insecurity. Women are disproportionately affected by hunger, and this could be a prime barrier to professional development, which goes to the mission of SIA’s WISF.”

Here are some ways you and/or your company can participate in the CAN DO Challenge:

• Pick a beneficiary personally in your community to serve.
• Get your company involved in collecting or serving food locally.
• Create a video and socialize in your sphere.
• Email your company, colleagues, SIA membership, 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.
• Donate snacks or funds supporting New York City’s Rauschenbusch Metro Ministries Snack Bag Program during ISC East. SIA WISF will have a donation box available at Booth 1244 during the trade show Nov. 17-18. 
• Remember, if your only giving option is donating money, that still counts as kindness.  Better to give how you CAN than not at all. Links are available to a wealth of charitable food banks.

The SIA Women in Security Forum hopes to have companies from all 50 states participate in the 2021 CAN DO Challenge. To register your company, send a message to DiSanto at adisanto@rajant.com, specifying the location and name of your company.

Learn more about the CAN DO Challenge; access helpful images, email templates, and social media resources to help you get the word out; and get 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; the SIA Women in Security Forum Breakfast 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.