To alleviate hunger locally, C&S is supporting:
The Community Food Bank of Central Alabama with on-going donations of food for neighbors in need. Since 2005 we estimate this represents over 1,100,000 meals.
C&S has invested in the Community Food Bank with cash grants since 2006. Our support has been to upgrade lighting in the food bank, to undertake critical renovations to its food sorting area to make operations more efficient, and to fund much-needed repairs to the food bank's delivery truck.
C&S and our employees are proud to strengthen families in the places we call home in ways that have impact:
C&S employees in Birmingham donated 135 pounds of kid-friendly food to the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, and learned about childhood hunger, as a part of Feeding America's national hunger action month in 2010. 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 Birmingham have held an annual food drive for kids since 2005.
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 30,000 books to children, schools and libraries in and around Birmingham. One example recipient group: RUSH's family literacy preschool program. With First Book we are nurturing a love of reading and learning for children without access to books.
Recent milestones and actions in and around Birmingham that focus on community and the greater good:
In 2010, pledges from C&S employees to the United Way plus the corporate match totaled nearly $30,000, mostly to the United Way of Central Alabama. C&S is honored to be one of 125 United Way Global Corporate Leaders.
Local investment in nonprofit groups through the C&S mini-grant program includes:
- The Community Kitchens of Birmingham
- Magic City Harvest
- Meals on Wheels
- Gardendale Athletics
- Women Are Dreamers Too
Our Birmingham locations are taking steps to improve upon environmental sustainability and to integrate sustainable practices:
- Operations - comprehensive audits of all our distribution centers 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) - C&S employees helped at the local Ronald McDonald House in 2007, 2008 and 2009 and served lunch at the Shepura Men's Homeless Center. In 2010, employees spent the day doing arts and crafts with the children at the Children’s Hospital of Birmingham.
- 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.
