Saturday, August 24, 2019

A Simple Way Your Modular or Prefab Business Can Help Those in Need

As many of you know, Peg and I have worked at a large local food bank for many years. We have seen such a variety of people that just need enough food to make it through the week. Young mothers with toddlers, widows on Social Security, the disabled and men and women with debilitating illnesses.

There are also the lonely that come in, get their food and stay to talk with anyone that will sit with them. You begin to see each person as unique instead of just another homeless or disadvantaged person looking for food. That’s when it becomes real.

Most food bank users are unable to afford to buy sufficient food, as well as finding it difficult to pay the rent, heat their home or buy clothes and toiletries.

But there is a problem hitting all food banks. We are running short on supplies. I’m really not sure why as the state food banks which supply many local food banks seem to have adequate stores but they are not free. Food banks need money to buy food from them beyond simple canned vegetables, fruit and cereal. Most food banks rely on local churches and organizations for donations of both cash and food.

If your business or factory hasn’t held a food drive lately, you should. It’s simple.

First, call your local United Way or locate a food bank in your area that is struggling and offer to deliver what you collect to them.

Then create a simple drop off point within your business and offer a lunch for everyone if a certain goal is met. You will be surprised how much non-perishable food, hygiene products and household goods will be collected. Fresh fruit and vegetables are needed year round.

If you are the owner of a business or factory, this will be another opportunity to help people that need a hand up. If you work for a business and want to start this at work, go to your boss and explain how to do it and volunteer to organize it.

People in your town need your help right now.

A recent study found nearly 80% of households using food banks had experienced severe food insecurity in the past 12 months, meaning they were unable to afford to buy sufficient food and had gone whole days without food.

I challenge every modular home builder and factory in the US to create a food drive challenge. It just might turn into something everyone in your business will want to do over and over.

Send me pictures of what you've collected.


1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Really great sentiment Gary. We are all so focused on what’s in it for me we lose site that we are our brothers keeper. Your post was extremely well put. As well for those that can only do this sort of thing if it benefits them, having a food drive is a great way to drum up PR and is good content for social. People like to know that they are doing business with a company that cares and is empathetic to the needs of the community.