As summertime approaches, most of us look forward to barbecues and picnics, and the social activities that come with the season. But for many parents in the greater Danbury area, it’s a time of stress. With their children home for the summer, low-income families wonder how they’ll provide breakfast and lunch to their sons and daughters on a daily basis, meals that would normally be supplied by the district during the school year.
Cartus Corporation, a leading provider of global relocation services, decided to do something about it, teaming up with one of their van line suppliers, Wlliam B. Meyer, Inc., for a Can the CEO competition in support of Move for Hunger. Move for Hunger utilizes the volunteer efforts of moving companies across North America who collect unwanted food from the families they are about to relocate.
Cartus employees were challenged to donate a significant amount of food items as part of a campaign to support The Community Action Agency of Western Connecticut (CAAWC), which runs a food bank that services the greater Danbury area. The initial goal was to donate 2,000 food items and “Can” their CEO by filling his office with the donated items. They far surpassed their goal, and on Monday, May 22nd, a 26-foot-long truck left Cartus’ Danbury headquarters with 6,817 food items – 6,000 pounds of food – destined for the agency’s Food Pantry facility. William B. Meyer, which is heavily involved in the Move for Hunger initiative, donated boxes, a moving truck and movers to assist with the delivery.
“Corporate responsibility is a key part of our company culture at Cartus,” said Kelleher, “but it’s more than a business decision for us; we want our employees to feel empowered and engaged enough to have a voice and make a difference, inside and outside of the office. We support that through a variety of programs and initiatives, and I think that translates to a workforce that wants to make a difference in the community, both locally and globally. I was proud, but not at all surprised that our employees were so generous when it came to this important cause.”
Bob Gallucci, Vice President of Sales for William B. Meyer, cited his company’s partnership with Cartus and a similar commitment to the community as reasons for collaborating on the project, which included donating boxes to the cause in addition to transportation and delivery.
“Cartus has been a 30-year customer of William B. Meyer and, like them, we’re a very community-orientated company,” said Gallucci. “Working with Move for Hunger is a wonderful way for us to be a conduit and get food delivered to people who truly need it. Since Cartus shares our commitment to people, it was a pleasure to work with them on this particular donation.”
Michelle James, Executive Director of CAAWC, expressed her gratitude for what she described as one of the largest donations the agency has ever received from a single source.
“The pleasure of helping people in need makes me want to go to work every day,” said James. “We get a lot of donations around Thanksgiving, but it’s important to remember that there’s always a need; families need assistance all year long. During the summer, for
example, children are home far more often than during the school year. They’re eating at home more often. I was so pleased that Cartus identified us as the recipients of this donation because it will ensure that our families aren’t going to go hungry this summer. We’re really grateful.”
Kelleher and Gallucci have already committed to another company-wide donation initiative next year.