OAT Associates Share Food—and Time—For Those in Need
During uncertain economic times, it’s even more important than ever to help out when we can. And that is exactly what OAT associates have been busy doing. Our Boston office kicked off its first-ever, canned food drive for the Greater Boston Food Bank on January 19—and from the growing collection of food that greeted associates as they entered the building each morning, their contributions were a constant reminder of their generous and giving spirits.
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Director of Business Solutions, Tom Whearty (left), has been with OAT since 2000 and serves as our volunteer leader for the Greater Boston Food Bank. “Coming in every morning and seeing the growing stock pile of goods was such a great start to my day!" Tom said. "A box of cereal or a can of fruit or beans may not seem like much to some, but it will mean plenty to those in need.” At right, Edward, Charlotte, and Harriet Lewis lend a helping hand.
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On February 3, 2010, 30 OAT volunteers delivered 840 pounds of collected goods to the Greater Boston Food Bank. Among them were four regional associates: Sally Abaza and Marian Gerges (from our Cairo office), and Beauton Stuurman (from our Cape Town office)—on left with Director of OAT’s Product Calendar, Jenny Taladua—and Jennifer Szu Yun Yuan (from our Sydney office), who shows off her strength as she carries some boxes for packaging (right).
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OAT holds a volunteer night each quarter, where associates dedicate a few hours of their time to separate, divide, and package donated grocery goods to prepare for shipment. This year, the group (along with about 40 other volunteers) sorted and processed 16,708 pounds of goods, which means that by the end of the night, 10,281 meals were provided to those in need. Here, Sally (left), and Steve Bagley and Kacie Kelley (right) sort food along the conveyer belts.
OAT has been working with the Greater Boston Food Bank for about two years. The organization distributes almost 30 million pounds of food to nearly 600 hunger-relief agencies throughout eastern Massachusetts each year. Founded in 1981, it is the largest hunger-relief organization in New England and one of the largest food banks in the country.
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OAT associate Rudy King (above) helps another volunteer package the groceries that will be shipped to hunger-relief agencies and special programs providing food to those that need them most.
According to Tom, this volunteer opportunity is a chance to get to know your fellow coworkers, and to help an important cause at the same time. “It’s so great to see our associates volunteer their time—even if it’s for a few hours—to people who have nothing or next to nothing.” He says, “It’s wonderful to think that so many people are helping and reaching out to people they don’t know.” |
To learn more about the Greater Boston Food Bank, visit their website. And to find out more about our OAT community service events, visit our Grand Circle Foundation website.