To alleviate hunger locally, C&S is supporting:
The Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley in Allentown with on-going donations of food for neighbors in need. Since 2006 we estimate that this represents over 63,000 meals.
C&S also made a grant to the food bank that helped provide more than 150,000 meals to 19 groups in or near Bethlehem, including food pantries, soup kitchens, a senior center and an after-school program.
Pennsylvania Hunger Action Center - The Center has worked for more than 30 years to end hunger and increase opportunities to meet the food needs of all Pennsylvanians.
C&S and our employees are proud to strengthen families in the places we call home in ways that have impact:
C&S Bethlehem employees donated 625 pounds of kid-friendly food to the Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley, and learned about childhood hunger, as a part of Feeding America’s national hunger action month in 2009. Each pound of food donated by employees received a matching donation to Feeding America’s innovative Back Pack program, supplying food to children who are at-risk of hunger on days when school cafeterias are closed. C&S employees in Bethlehem have held an annual food drive for kids since 2006.
Our commitment to end childhood hunger is matched by an equal passion to increase educational opportunities for all children:
In partnership with First Book, C&S has donated 170,000 books to children, schools and libraries in 8 communities around the country. With this organization we are nurturing a love of reading and learning for children without access to books.
Recent milestones and actions in and around Bethlehem that focus on community and the greater good:
In 2009, pledges from C&S employees to the United Way plus the corporate match totaled $37,432 to the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley. C&S is honored to be one of 125 United Way National Corporate Leaders and was awarded the 2009 Community Caring Award by the Lackawanna County United Way.
Local investment in nonprofit groups through the C&S mini-grant program includes:
- Pennsylvania Youth Theater, Bethlehem, PA
- KidsPeace Children’s Hospital, Bethlehem, PA
- Meals on Wheels, Allentown & Bethlehem, PA
- Turning Point of Lehigh Valley, Allentown, PA
Our Bethlehem location is taking steps to improve upon environmental sustainability and to integrate sustainable practices:
- Operations - comprehensive audits of our all distribution centers in 2009 to track energy usage, diagnose problems, and inform improvements.
- Transportation - investment in technology to reduce the number of miles traveled by our trucks, lowering fuel use and carbon emissions.
- Recycling - initiatives include paper, cardboard, wood pallets, plastic wrap, and electronics.
C&S employees are encouraged to roll up their sleeves and bring positive change to their communities. The company organizes and inspires them through:
- Make A Difference Day (a national, annual day of service) - In 2009, C&S employees painted at the Council of Spanish Speaking Organiations of the the Lehigh Valley's Senior Citizen's Center. In 2008, employees from the Bethlehem facility pitched in at the YMCA of Fountain Hill with their fall clean-up and prepared activities for the kids.
- Dollars for Doers - Through this program, nonprofit organizations benefit twice – once from each C&S employees’ contribution of time and again from a C&S contribution of $1 per hour volunteered.
- Team Up & Make Strides - This program supports teams of four C&S employees who team up and participate in walk-a-thons, runs, bike-a-thons and other similar events to raise awareness and funds for local charities.
