To alleviate hunger locally, C&S is supporting:
The Capital Area Food Bank in DC with on-going donations of food for neighbors in need. Since 2002 we estimate this represents nearly 9,000,000 meals.
C&S has also supported The Capital Area Food Bank with a grants supporting Kids Café programs in Prince George’s County; this is a free after school program that provides healthy snacks and often, a full, hot meal for children from low-income families who may not have a nutritious dinner available at home. Additional grant funds have been provided to the From the Ground Up program which brings children to the Food Bank’s organic farm in the summer for hands-on, outdoor learning experiences focused on nutrition and agriculture.
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 Upper Marlboro donated 360pounds of kid-friendly food to The Capital Area 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 Sacramento 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 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 Upper Marlboro, MD 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 $55,000 mostly to the United Way of the National Capital Area. 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:
- Carrie Children’s Foundation, Upper Marlboro, MD
- Southeast DC Partners, Washington, DC
- Washington Humane Society, Washington, DC
Our Upper Marlboro 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:
- 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.
