To alleviate hunger locally, C&S is supporting:
The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts in Hatfield with on-going donations of food for neighbors in need. Since 2002 we estimate this represents over 4,000,000 meals from our Hatfield and Westfield distribution centers.
C&S has also supported the Food Bank of W. Mass with a grant to “Target: Hunger Springfield,” an initiative to establish new resources for the city’s Mason Square neighborhood and to provide a replicable model for similar work in other food-insecure communities. Past grants to the Food Bank’s Door-to-Door program have helped to effectively reach clusters of food assistance agencies by moving more food via refrigerated trucks.
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 Hatfield donated 1,679 pounds of kid-friendly food to The Food Bank of Western Mass., and learned about childhood hunger, as a part of Feeding America’s national hunger action activities 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.
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 Hatfield 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 $44,000 mostly to the United Way of Pioneer Valley, United Way of Hampshire County, and United Way of Central Mass. 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:
- Hatfield Book Club
- Hampshire County TRIAD
- Cummington Volunteer Fire Department
- Hatfield Elementary School
- Clarke School for the Deaf
Our Hatfield 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, C&S employees helped out at the Paradise City Arts Festival, collecting donations of food items and cash for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.
- 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.
