Posts Tagged ‘heroes of everyday life’

Reflecting on a Heroic Past

Monday, February 11th, 2013

Dennis Shepherd

It’s hard to believe nearly three years have flown by since experiencing one of the more memorable moments in my life. No, certainly not as important as my wedding day or the birth of my first child – but memorable just the same.

Nearly three years ago, I had the opportunity to see the White House for the first time in my life. It was during that same trip to Washington I had a personal meeting with my representative, Congressman Walter Jones at the U.S. Capitol. The reason for the trip? I was being honored by Sodexo Foundation on stage at the historic Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington D.C. for the volunteer work that I do in my community to fight hunger.

The memory of those experiences and being called a “Hero of Everyday Life” still move me. The reason it is so memorable is because it was a once in a lifetime chance to see and meet so many important figures and to be honored publicly before a thousand onlookers at a benefit dinner. It was more than I could imagine. It was surreal.

None of it would have been possible without a Sodexo district manager who was aware of my volunteer work and felt it needed to be recognized. Getting to know those who you work with and supervise beyond the scope of their 9-5 responsibilities can mean everything for both morale and productivity.

Dennis Shepherd (top left) and the rest of the 2010 Heroes of Everyday Life.

In addition to all of the larger-than-life experiences I had as a result of being named a Hero of Everyday Life, I came away with a couple of small but important lessons that I’ve been able to apply in my life. The first is that sometimes we need to talk about the good work we are doing, because you never know where it may lead or what additional support you might come by. Another is simply that anyone, young or old, can make a huge difference – specifically in fighting hunger. I saw that first hand through the stories of young people honored just before me, on the same stage that night.

I’ve since started taking my sixteen year old daughter along with me to raise donations, and to volunteer at our local soup kitchen. She’s a hard worker and has been helpful in doing more charity work to improve our community.

There is no doubt in my mind about the power of public recognition. I was so inspired after my trip to Washington that I volunteered the very next weekend and raised additional funds and collected more than 1200 pounds of food. If you are an eyewitness to random acts of kindness, acknowledge them. Recognize your fellow employees, praise youth efforts and nominate individuals doing exceptional things to fight hunger. Better yet, join in.

The $5000 grant I received from Sodexo Foundation helped the Jacksonville Soup Kitchen, which was for their Meals on Wheels program to take food to the elderly. If you know a Sodexo employee who is working to end hunger, recognize their efforts by submitting a Hero nomination on www.SodexoFoundation.org.

I’m sure I’d still be doing the volunteer work that I do even without the recognition, but it does have value. Think of the fond memories it will create for someone for years and years to come.

Dennis Shepherd is a driver for Sodexo at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and is a 2010 Hero of Everyday Life. Read more about Dennis and other recipients here.

The 2013 Heroes of Everyday Life® nomination period is open now through March 8.

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What Really Matters

Tuesday, January 8th, 2013

Phyll Dondis Ribakoff, RD, LDN

I have been involved with Share Our Strength’s Cooking Matters® courses since 2005, when, initially it was called “Operation Frontline.” Recently, I taught my 18th series for the course, and with each class of students I learn something new.

Cooking Matters taps the expertise of culinary and nutrition experts who volunteer to help course participants identify and prepare nutritious, low-cost ingredients in ways that deliver the best nourishment. Last June I was recognized by Sodexo Foundation as one of five  Heroes of Everyday Life® specifically for my work volunteering as a nutrition instructor with Cooking Matters Massachusetts.  

It’s difficult to describe what that meant to me. I felt so honored to be nominated by my supervisor, the National Director of Sodexo Dietetic Internships and the Massachusetts director of Cooking Matters. Together they confirmed my passion and demonstrated Sodexo’s commitment to frontline volunteering in the campaign against hunger.  The recognition meant a lot to me. 

One of the reasons that Cooking Matters is so important to me is because of the very positive and practical impact it allows me to have on the people in my community. Each class series is led by a nutritionist or dietitian and chef providing nutrition education and hands-on cooking lessons.  

Phyll Ribakoff teaching Cooking Matters class. Photo courtesy of Share Our Strength Cooking Matters Program

My favorite class takes place during week four, where we cover the importance of breakfasts. The Chef shows the participants how to create a vegetable frittata, carrot pineapple muffins or oatmeal pancakes, and smoothies.  This is also the time when we cover unit pricing in anticipation of the following week’s supermarket tour. By this time in the 6-week series, the participants know the staff and each other and they really start to enjoy cooking and talking nutrition together.  By now, all of the participants have an opinion, questions or both.  In fact, at this point they are answering more than they are asking, and they are teaching one another.

A participant once said that Cooking Matters made her miss home because she lives alone here in the U.S., but came from a large family where everyone was always in the kitchen. Once a week, our work made her feel like part of a big happy family in the kitchen.  For her, the course was not only about finding affordable nutrition strategies. To her what really matters is the connection between the food and the people – using it to bond, support and help one another. I’m proud to say that Sodexo sees the value in that connection as well, and all of the volunteer work that its employees do to provide communities with access to nutritious food.

Sodexo Foundation honored me for my work with Cooking Matters and presented me with a $5000 grant to benefit the hunger-relief agency of my choice.  I designated Share Our Strength’s Cooking Matters of Massachusetts as the recipient of those funds.

I hope other Sodexo managers, and frontline workers will do what my supervisor did for me.  Nominate a Sodexo employee who is working to end hunger as a Hero. Self-nominations from employees are perfectly acceptable as well.

The 2013 Heroes of Everyday Life® nomination period is open now through March 8 on www.SodexoFoundation.org.

Phyll Dondis Ribakoff, RD, LDN is the associate director of the Sodexo Distance Education Dietetic Internship and a 2012 Hero of Everyday Life.  Check out the Cooking Matters videos that Hero Phyll stars in:

IFRAME Embed for Youtube

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A Voice of Hope

Thursday, February 23rd, 2012

For pictures of Julia's work, click here.

I felt so honored to be selected by Sodexo as one of its eight 2011 Heroes of Everyday Life® for my volunteer work. In return, my husband and I were able to travel to Washington, DC to share my experience with fellow colleagues and politicians alike. The entire experience blew us away. A high point of the trip was having a chance to visit Capitol Hill and share our stories of fighting hunger in our communities with our senate and congressional leaders.

The main event, the 12th Annual Sodexo Foundation Dinner, was nothing short of phenomenal. It was amazing to hear the stories of all the Sodexo Heroes of Everyday Life® and the Stephen J. Brady STOP Hunger Scholarship recipients, and how they are giving back to their communities. I was humbled by the generosity of all the vendors that donate to Sodexo Foundation. With their help, the foundation raised $1 million dollars to fight hunger in that one evening.

It was a great feeling to be up on stage and recognized in front of more than 930 people, but I would like to think of the award as an acknowledgement of the hard work done by volunteers at the Voice of Hope – an organization that provides the children of West Dallas with spiritual guidance and family support services including the delivery of food boxes. Of course, the greatest part of the entire experience is that the $5,000 grant I received will go to the hunger organization of my choice. I’m excited to say that it will go to the Voice of Hope.

The need for support provided by the Voice of Hope in West Dallas is ongoing, and this grant provides countless nutritious meals for youth and their families in that community.

I would like to thank Sodexo Foundation for this grant which will go a long way in fighting hunger in the West Dallas community. I feel honored to be a part of Sodexo’s STOP Hunger Initiative, and now that the nomination period is open for 2012 Heroes of Every Day Life, I encourage managers, friends and family members to turn the spotlight onto the work of new Sodexo Heroes. So many are doing so much to feed our children and their work is also worthy of recognition.

Julia Pipkins is senior instructional designer for Sodexo University. She has helped over 700 low-income families through her own initiative and her work with the Voice of Hope.. If you know of a Sodexo employee doing amazing work in fighting hunger, they could be chosen to be one of Sodexo’s Heroes of Everyday Life®. Click here for more information.

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Meaningful Partnerships

Thursday, September 8th, 2011

Make a difference: Click the photograph above to 'Like' the Oneida Facebook Page!

On June 6, 2010, I had the opportunity to attend the Annual Sodexo Foundation dinner, held in the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC.  It was my first experience with this dinner.  It was also my first exposure to both the many great activities the Sodexo Foundation organizes, and those programs created by individuals throughout the United States.   During the introductory presentations they shared interesting information about how the foundation got started and its vision for the future.  This helped me gain a greater understanding and appreciation for the culture within Sodexo.

During the dinner, Sodexo management recognized the efforts of several individuals who developed programs in their local communities, helping feed the hungry.  They shared the touching stories of how these children and adults decided to take action, and the incredible impact they had on others in need. They recognized six children, ages 5 to 19, who created special programs.   It was inspiring to see these young individuals spending time to make life better for others.  They were able to do so much with very few resources.  These students did not set out to gain recognition, but it was wonderful to see them rewarded for their good work.  The Sodexo Foundation made an impact in their lives with the awarding of a $5,000 Stephen J. Brady STOP Hunger Scholarship for the individual and a $5,000 matching grants for each of their hunger-related charities of choice.

The Heroes of Everyday Life program was also heart warming.  The company encourages all their employees to find ways to help fight hunger in their local communities.  Every year at this dinner, they recognize about 8 employees that they feel have really exemplified the strongest acts of giving.  They shared the individual stories of these employees and the type of impact they have made on fighting hunger.  It’s very humbling to hear what they were able to accomplish.  The recipients were extremely proud and happy to accept the grants for their local charities.

During the presentation, they shared some incredible statistics; including one in every four children in America is at risk of hunger.  I have three children of my own and everyday have at least four children in my home.  The thought that one of them could go to bed hungry really made me stop and think.   I walked away from this dinner with a huge appreciation for Sodexo and the Sodexo Foundation.  I found myself proud to have Oneida Ltd. associated with such a company.  I also wanted to find a way for Oneida to be involved in supporting this foundation and the individuals it helps everyday. 

I helped put together a program that would not only contribute to the Sodexo Foundation, but would also build sales for Oneida.  I presented to our upper management and they were immediately supportive of the idea.  Oneida committed to donating 2% of sales from our luxury and fine dining products that were sold to Sodexo business units through Edward Don, our distributor.  Our sales team, Edward Don’s sales team, and the Hunger Champion’s at Sodexo all did a great job communicating the program to help impact the results. All parties were pleased with the results of the first year of this program.

We are now very excited to kick off our second year of this program, and have moved up the date to start in September, Hunger Action Month.  We are adding a social media component thru Facebook and Twitter.  On Facebook, we will add to our total donation, $1 for every new Oneida Ltd Fan from 9/12/11 – 10/12/11, with a goal of gaining 1,000 new fans.  Fans can also donate directly to the Sodexo Foundation while on the Oneida Ltd Facebook page through a special app. Please help us make this 1,000 new fan goal a reality – click here!

Jim Schulze is senior vice president of sales for Oneida Global Foodservice.

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Daily Inspirations

Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011

When I first learned that I was selected as one of Sodexo’s Heroes of Everyday Life® — a distinction for Sodexo employees who voluntarily work to end hunger in their community – I was expecting a one-day event in Washington, D.C.  I thought I would drive to D.C. the day of the event, attend the 12th Annual Sodexo Foundation Dinner that evening and return home the next morning. The Sodexo team exceeded all expectations!

The Heroes of Everyday Life Award entailed a four-day event and allowed for an invited guest to accompany each Hero.

Day 1- was a meet-n-greet with the other Sodexo Heroes and an orientation to events about to unfold over the next three days. It was a great ice breaker and we met several of the key staff coordinating this experience.

Day 2 – was a top notch – “2nd: to none day!” It started with meeting several key members of the Sodexo’s PR, Community Relations and Government Affairs teams. They were our escorts for the day.

We then went to the U.S. Capitol Building for an all day tour, to include the House and Senate sides of the Capitol Building. Typically when touring the whole Capitol Building complex you exit the building to get to the other office buildings – House or Senate side. Our escorts, however, scored us access to the transportation train that runs in the basement of the Capitol. This train is off limits to the general public and is mostly used for congressional staff only. It was rather cool walking the tunnels and riding the train with our country’s leaders. I walked right by one from my home state – Senator Toomey, from Pennsylvania!

We also ate in one of the congressional staff only cafeterias. Once again, this area is not for the general public so I felt rather privileged to be dining among our legislators!

But, the best part of the day was meeting with our home state senators (Senator Casey on my visit) or their staff person and telling them our stories and about all of the positive things that Sodexo does in local communities.

That evening we had dinner with Board members of the Sodexo Foundation and met the Stephen J. Brady STOP Hunger Scholarship recipients. These students were just awesome. The things that they are doing for the cause at such a young age are truly remarkable.

Day 3 –was the day of the Foundation Dinner. It was attended by more than 930 people and raised $1 million for the Sodexo Foundation. The evening was filled with powerful stories about fighting hunger.

Day 4 – allowed time for reflection before heading home. Taking it all in, I had a renewed appreciation for each honoree and the work that the Sodexo Foundation does on a daily basis. I was inspired to do more!

In addition to being publically recognized at the dinner, Heroes were awarded a $5,000 check for the hunger relief charity of their choice.  I will present mine to North Hills Community Outreach (NHCO) at its August 2011 Board Meeting. NHCO will use the grant to cover operating costs for their two food pantries. Its pantries serve about 1,200 low-income families every year.

Ryan Wilson is a Sodexo General Manager for the Beaver Area School District in Pennsylvania. His food drives and donations have provided more than 54,000 meals to families and children in his community.

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Beyond Responsibility

Tuesday, July 26th, 2011

Frances Williams, one of Sodexo’s 2011 Heroes of Everyday Life®

Having an opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. where I was honored as one of Sodexo’s Heroes of Everyday Life® was a wonderful experience for me, as well as my mother who I invited along for the trip. I want to begin, however, by personally expressing my gratitude toward Sodexo and all of the people that have supported my initiative from the very beginning.  Without that support I would not be able to do what needs to be done for the thousands who are benefiting from volunteer efforts like mine.

What a great honor it has been to be recognized by the Sodexo Foundation for the work I do beyond my paid responsibilities.  Even as we were being recognized by some very distinguished individuals, it was such a humbling experience just to be in the midst of everyday people who think of others and act on their thoughts.  I have learned a lot from that experience and will hold it dear to my heart as I continue to grow with Sodexo.

The grant which was awarded to my Do Over Ministry will go a long way to help thousands of individuals as I plan to expand my resources and reach many more people in need using the finances provided.  One of many ways it will help is through an effort that will take place around the end of August, where we will be able to provide uniforms, book bags, school supplies, and after school snacks to approximately 75 school children.

My gratitude cannot be overstated for having the opportunity to work with such a caring company and for it to not only recognize, but to encourage my passion for providing for those less advantaged.

I was proud that my mother could be there with me on the evening of the awards presentation at the 12th Annual Sodexo Foundation Dinner. Yes, I invited her. But, she – through her example – got me there.

Frances Williams is a Sodexo Cook at PNC Bank and is the founder of Do Over Ministry, which offers clothing, career guidance, education and nutritional counseling in Philadelphia communities.

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Joshua’s All Heart

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

I started Joshua’s Heart when I was just four and a half years old. One Sunday morning, before church, I happened to see a commercial for Feed the Children on TV. That moment opened my eyes. I had no idea children lived that way; they were starving and so skinny. I wanted to help them so badly. I knew I had to do something. Since that day, I felt that this was my purpose. I think God gave me that feeling. My purpose was to help others who have no choice but to go hungry.

In order to fulfill my purpose, I begged my family to do more. The whole family started to work together to feed the homeless; soon we were feeding 150 a week. We did this until we were told it was against the law to give food in public. That didn’t stop me, though. We found a way to give away more food through my grandmother’s church to families that needed it. Our work grew and I loved it. I was making a difference.
Joshua’s Heart Foundation was officially founded with the help of my mom, my aunt, and a consultant.

Now I have helped donate over 250,000 pounds of food to over 1,000 families in South Florida. I have raised over $90,000 for my cause. I speak at schools and to any group that will listen in hopes of inspiring others to give back to the community.

Joshua’s Heart has big plans this fall. We are having a fundraiser to help start our first backpack program to send children home with a backpack of food for the weekend each Friday. It is also my goal to have ambassadors for Joshua’s Heart in every state and around the world.

I recently received an award from the Sodexo Foundation for my efforts to fight hunger. It included a $5,000 scholarship for my education and a $5,000 grant to Joshua’s Heart Foundation. I am so happy that this scholarship will help me achieve my dream of a college degree, and the generous donation to Joshua’s Heart Foundation will help put food on empty plates this summer.

I am thankful for all those who have helped me and for those who continue to do so. I will never stop working hard to beat hunger one community at a time. But I need your help…

Joshua is a 2010 Sodexo Foundation STOP Hunger Scholarship Award winner. Click here for more on Joshua and other awardees.

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Fighting Hunger in our own Hometowns

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

My recent award as one of Sodexo Foundation’s Heroes of Everyday Life resulted in a trip to Capitol Hill where I had the honor of meeting Senator Scott Brown from my hometown of Massachusetts and Congressman John Tierney who is my Representative from Salem.

During our meetings we were able to talk about the problem of hunger in the commonwealth and specifically about hunger in the city where I live, Beverly. I was excited to meet both of these men and thrilled when they sat down with me to discuss the problem of hunger.

They also both showed genuine interest in the fundraiser that I had to celebrate my 50th birthday. I explained how I raised over $2500 in cash and food donations that were donated to Beverly Bootstraps and that this donation was matched by the Feinstein Foundation, a hunger fighting nonprofit.

Both Senator Brown and Representative Tierney assured me that they were doing everything they could to help end hunger, especially for young children. They both asked what inspired my fundraising and I said that it was a combination of how I was raised by my parents and the commitment that Sodexo has to ending hunger. The trip to “The Hill” was certainly the highlight of my trip to DC.  All of the Sodexo representatives who were with us during our visit certainly made us comfortable and made this a most memorable time for my wife, son, as well as myself.

My trip to the nation’s capitol has inspired me to do even more to end hunger in my hometown – and I hope my story inspires you to do the same.

Paul Belski is a Sodexo General Manager at Endicott College, in Beverly, Massachusetts. Each year, the Sodexo Foundation recognizes Sodexo employees who invest their time, talent, and service spirit in helping some of the 49 million people who are at risk of hunger in the United States. Paul is a 2010 recipient of the Sodexo Foundation’s Heroes of Everyday Life award. Sodexo congratulates Paul for all he does for Sodexo and his community.

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