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 Westfield and Hatfield 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 Westfield donated 798 pounds of kid-friendly food to The Food Bank of Western MA, 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 Westfield 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 30,000 books to children, schools and libraries in and around Westfield. One example recipient group is Westfield Head Start. 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 Metropolitan NJ that focus on community and the greater good:
In 2009, pledges from C&S employees to the United Way plus the corporate match totaled over $21,000 mostly to the United Way of the Pioneer Valley. 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:
- Discover Westfield Children’s Museum, Westfield, MA
- Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity, Springfield, MA
- Junior Achievement of Western MA, Springfield, MA
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampden County, Springfield
Our Westfield location is 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 2009, C&S employees spruced up the Cnacer House of Hope and served food to veterans at the Soldier's Home. In years past, employees volunteered at the Worthington Street Shelter where they painted two large rooms.
- 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.
