To alleviate hunger locally, C&S is supporting:
The Food Bank of Western New York in Buffalo with on-going donations of food for neighbors in need. Since 2002 we estimate that this represents over 2,700,000 meals.
Since 2003, C&S has made several grants to the food bank to establish a new Kids Café, to purchase an electric fork lift, fund a Good Cookin’ program for 150 families, and to support an initiative to re-pack bulk quantities of food into smaller portions for local people in need.
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 the Buffalo area donated 352 pounds of kid-friendly food to The Food Bank of Western New York, 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 have held an annual food drive for kids since 2003.
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. 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 Buffalo 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 $11,000 to the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County. 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:
- Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership
- Pet Connection Programs, Inc
- Buffalo and Erie County Public Library
- Trinity Pantry
- Muscular Dystrophy Association (Buffalo Chapter)
Our Buffalo-area locations are 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 2010, employees served dinner at the Friends of the Night Homeless Shelter. In previous years, employees packed “blizzard boxes” at the Food Bank of Western New York.
- 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.
