To alleviate hunger locally, C&S is supporting:
The Community Kitchen in Keene, a member agency of New Hampshire Food Bank, agency with on-going donations of food for neighbors in need. Since 2002 we estimate this represents over 1,500,000 meals.
C&S has invested in the New Hampshire Food Bank with cash grants since 2005 to deliver fresh fruits and vegetables to food assistance agencies in Keene and the Monadnock Region, and, to fund an Operation Frontline class at The Community Kitchen.
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 Keene donated 3,707 pounds of kid-friendly food to The Community Kitchen (a member agency of the NH Food Bank), 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 Birmingham have held an annual food drive for kids since 2004.
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 50,000 books to children, schools and libraries in and around Keene and southwestern New Hampshire. 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 Keene that focus on community and the greater good:
In 2009, pledges from C&S employees to the United Way plus the corporate match totaled nearly $222,000 mostly to the Monadnock United Way but also to the Windham United Way and several others. In 2009 C&S was given the Spirit of Monadnock Circle of Excellence Award. C&S is honored to be one of 125 United Way National Corporate Leaders.
Local investment in nonprofit groups through the C&S mini-grant program includes:
- Canine Alert Search Teams, Swanzey, NH
- Girl Scouts of Swift Water Council, Keene, NH
- Monadnock Center for Violence Prevention, Keene, NH
- Habitat for Humanity, Keene, NH
- Monadnock Family Services, Keene, NH
- Cheshire 4-H, Keene
C&S also sponsors a number of lively events in our headquarters communities, including the annual Keene Pumpkin Festival, the Ice & Snow Festival, Independence Day celebration and more.
Our Keene corporate headquarters is taking steps to improve upon environmental sustainability and to integrate sustainable practices:
- Operations - comprehensive audits to track energy usage, diagnose problems, inform improvements and measure greenhouse gas footprint (offset through The Conservation Fund’s GoZero program).
- Recycling - initiatives include paper, cardboard 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 the office and dining room at The Community Kitchen. C&S employees have been participating in this event since 2004. Over the years we have painted nearly every surface at The Community Kitchen, and have built shelving. In 2008, C&S employees accomplished landscaping at Stonewall Farm, a nonprofit farm that also supports The Community Kitchen with fresh organic produce.
- 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.
