Posts Tagged ‘sodexo’

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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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A Privilege to be a Part of Feeding Our Future

Friday, July 8th, 2011

The Sodexo Foundation established Feeding Our Future® to ensure that children who depend on federal meal programs during the school year still receive nutritious meals during the summer months.

Driving my step children to Summer Camp this morning, I checked to make sure each of them had $5 “snack money” for their field trip today.  Being a Dietitian, I asked them not to buy sweets, like candy and popsicles, but I still knew most of the money would be spent on junk food.

While making the drive from camp to Sodexo, I began thinking about a volunteer event my team and I participated in last year during the Feeding Our Future® program. That particular day, we were serving “Make Your Own Pizza”: English Muffins, Marinara Sauce, and Shredded Mozzarella Cheese. 

One child broke the English muffin in half, used only half of the sauce & cheese.  He carefully placed the leftover sauce & cheese in a little container, snapped the top on and slid the English muffin half back into his bag.  I asked him if there was something wrong with his food; he shook his head “no”.  He then looked up to me with his big brown eyes and said, “We don’t have any food at home right now, so I am taking this home to share with my mom and dad.”  We told him to go ahead and eat the whole pizza, and then gave him 2 more pizzas for his parents. 

That meal was the only meal that family was going to have that day, and possibly for several days.  I wondered how many children are in the same situation as that child was — Not only here in Houston, but all over this Nation.

Sodexo has given me the opportunity to help put an end to the awful problem of childhood hunger. We now have 24 sites throughout the U.S. involved in Sodexo’s Feeding Our Future program.  I am proud to work for a company who makes the fight against hunger part of their mission.

Seeing the faces of those children who benefitted from the meals we provided that day has made a profound impact on my life. Each of us making the site visit that day left in tears, but at the same time, we felt incredibly lucky to have what we have.

It is amazing for me to think that I sent my step children to Summer Camp with a full lunch and money for a snack.  My biggest worry was keeping them away from junk food.  Their lunch alone was probably more food than most of the children served in the Feeding Our Future program receives in a week!

Shaynee Roper is a Sodexo dietitian and clinical nutrition manager for the Harris County Hospital District in Houston, Texas.

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Youth-Inspired Efforts to Fight Hunger

Friday, April 15th, 2011

Youth Service America event in Chicago

Today, more than half the world’s population is under age 25, presenting an unprecedented opportunity to engage young people in solving the most pressing problems around the globe.

What better way to champion a social cause than using such a passion-filled demographic as the purveyors of change? Look around at the world today; democratic uprisings are being started by people barely old enough to drive a car.  

While America is fortunate enough to have a democratic government, our great country is not without challenges. 14.1 million children live in poverty, 1 in 50 kids don’t know where they will sleep tonight and an astounding 1 in 4 children – 17 million — don’t have enough food on a daily basis.

The Sodexo Foundation is putting the ability to solve childhood hunger, directly into the hands of children. Sodexo Youth Grants are unique in that young people age 5 – 25 have the opportunity to apply for them in order to start and implement projects independently.

On Global Youth Service Day, April 15 – 17, hundreds of children across the country will participate in 25 different Sodexo Foundation-funded projects.

For example, the Keystone Kids Project in Philadelphia is addressing hunger and homelessness through film. Kids from age 12 – 17 will interview fellow youth who struggle with poverty daily, including those who rely on soup kitchens to eat. Upon showing the film, participants will hold a 24-hour fast with activities that raise awareness about child hunger among their peers, politicians and members of the community.

Another project of note takes place in St. Paul, Minnesota. The Mayor’s Youth Task Force will conduct a campaign (from April to August) called “Hunger Doesn’t Take the Summer Off.” This will draw awareness to and showcase how many children receive free and reduced lunches during the school year and what their options are during the summer. Grant recipients will set up an information booth at the local library, distribute literature, recruit volunteers to pack food and assist with the local food shelf.

Today’s youth are not waiting to “grow up” to become leaders of change; they are perfectly capable of leading it today.

Steven A. Culbertson is president and CEO of Youth Service America an international nonprofit organization that partners with thousands of organizations committed to increasing the quality and the quantity of volunteer opportunities for young people to serve locally, nationally, and globally.

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Ending Childhood Hunger One State at a Time

Tuesday, February 22nd, 2011

Participating in Maryland’s Summer Meals Planning Conference was such an honor.  The exciting news included the announcement of Sodexo Foundation’s $20 million commitment to ending childhood hunger in partnership with Share Our Strength and Youth Service America.

Rosemary King Johnston, executive director of the Maryland Governor’s Office for Children, told me that Sodexo Foundation president Steve Brady was one of the first people she met after Governor O’Malley asked her to lead efforts to end childhood hunger in Maryland. Steve assured her that her work with Share Our Strength would make a real impact and attract support from companies, foundations and public servants across the state. Steve, Rosemary and I have seen Steve’s prediction become reality, thanks largely to Sodexo’s vision and steadfast commitment to the children in its headquarters state and beyond.

One question has motivated me for the last six years: “How can we end childhood hunger in the United States?”  Share Our Strength adopted this goal as our priority in 2004 and launched the first childhood hunger plan in Washington, D.C. with funding from Sodexo Foundation. Now, just seven years later, we have launched No Kid Hungry Campaign partnerships in 11 cities and states, including Maryland, and plan to be in 18 states by the end of 2011.

Share Our Strength’s goal of ending childhood hunger by 2015 through public-private partnerships has inspired me to join the Partnership for Public Service. It is more important than ever to build partnerships across the sectors – including companies like Sodexo – to solve the nation’s most serious social problems. 

Although I am leaving Share Our Strength after 12 years to become the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Partnership for Public Service, I’m so pleased to know that the important work of the organization will continue to grow, thanks to the deepened commitment from Sodexo Foundation to ending childhood hunger. Together we have already changed the lives of thousands of families and children.  We have given them not just food, or money, but a voice and hope.  Thank you for your support and best wishes as the partnership continues.

Partnership for Public Service is a national nonprofit organization that works to revitalize our federal government by inspiring a new generation to serve. I am incredibly excited to work on this important issue, and will not forget the important work Share Our Strength, Sodexo and others do every single day to assist those in need.

Patricia Nicklin is the managing director of Share Our Strength®, a national non-profit dedicated to ending childhood hunger in America. She will soon depart to become the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Partnership for Public Service, a non-profit dedicated to revitalizing public service and improving government performance.

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A Renewed Commitment to Fighting Childhood Hunger

Monday, January 31st, 2011

It seems unimaginable that there are children in our country that do not know where their next meal will come from. But it is a fact that 1 in 4 children in the United States don’t have access to nutritious meals that they need to grow, learn and succeed. This is why Sodexo has provided more than 2.5 million free summer lunches to children since 1997 and the Sodexo Foundation has been fighting hard to alleviate hunger since 1999.

Today, our Foundation had the pleasure of announcing its renewed commitment to fighting hunger at a summer meals summit in Baltimore with the Governor’s Office for Children. As Gaithersburg, Maryland is home to our North America headquarters, we were honored to share how Sodexo will help Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley meet the strategic goal of ending childhood hunger in Maryland by 2015.Now, I’m proud to share with you that the Sodexo Foundation has made a commitment to provide $20 million in grants and in-kind donations to support and create new, innovative approaches and solutions to ensure the 17 million children in the United States facing hunger grow up with dependable access to nutritious food to lead healthy, productive lives.Building on more than 10 years in the fight against hunger, we will increase our impact by partnering with Share Our Strength and YSA (Youth Service America) to help fund more summer meals programs like Feeding Our Future®, engage youth nationwide to join the fight and provide special grants to youth, non-profit organizations and schools.We’ll continue to focus our efforts nationally, but we will also deepen our No Kid Hungry by 2015 impact through increased funding for summer meals programs in Maryland, Virginia and Florida. Currently, 207,000 children face hunger in Maryland, only 18 percent of eligible Virginia kids participate in summer meal programs and Florida ranks 29th in the U.S. for summer meals participation. Our goal is to help these states, and others across the nation, ensure all kids have access to nutritious food where they live, learn and play.Our new commitment  will take us beyond summer meals, as we aim to engage young people to lean about hunger and poverty, and mobilize them to volunteer their time and have a direct impact in their community. I welcome your thoughts and ideas for what we should include in an online youth action center that will be developed to educate elementary, middle and high school students about hunger and poverty.Sodexo and the Sodexo Foundation will also continue to support new and existing programs including offering services such as training with our chefs to teach families how to cook easy, nutritious meals; recognizing and rewarding students who have made a significant impact in the fight against hunger with our Sodexo Foundation STOP Hunger Scholarships program; and volunteering thousands of hours each year in local food banks including our annual Sodexo Servathon.As president of the Sodexo Foundation, I take hunger personally and look forward to this next phase of achievement and working together with you, our partners and the youth of America to have an even greater impact as we fight to end childhood hunger.Steve Brady is president of the Sodexo Foundation.

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My Top 5 Reasons for Applying for the $5,000 STOP Hunger Scholarship

Thursday, January 27th, 2011

My name is Cassie Muller and fighting childhood hunger has become my passion. Three years ago I was selected as a STOP Hunger Scholar for my service providing meals to children in my community.  My favorite part is watching the kids smile while they enjoy a hot meal. With the matching grant I received from winning a Sodexo Foundation STOP Hunger Scholarship, I was able to put the money toward feeding even more children. To learn more about my story, click here.

Applications are now being taken for the Sodexo Foundation’s 2011 STOP Hunger Scholarship program, which recognizes the great work young people do in their communities to fight hunger. STOP Hunger Scholars receive a $5,000 scholarship and the local organization of their choice also receives a $5,000 grant.

In these challenging times, $5,000 for school is quite an incentive to fill out an application But…if you need some more motivation, here are the Top 5 Reasons For Applying for the STOP Hunger Scholarship:

5.   Scholarships have been awarded to students as young as 7 and as “old” as 22.
4.   You get to fly to Washington, D.C. to attend the Sodexo Foundation dinner—for free.
3.   Winning a $5,000 scholarship is better than mowing lawns or scooping ice cream to raise money for school!
2.   Meet other STOP Hunger Scholars who are also doing their part to fight hunger.
1.   You don’t volunteer for the money or honor, but it’s always nice to be recognized for helping others.

If you need even more of a reason, click here to see for yourself how other STOP Hunger Scholars are fighting hunger in their communities.

Have I convinced you? I hope so, because now’s the time to apply for the Sodexo Foundation 2011 STOP Hunger Scholarships. Don’t wait – the application period closes February 18, 2011!

Cassie Muller is a 2008 Sodexo Foundation STOP Hunger Scholar.

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Win a $5,000 Scholarship for all the Good Work You Do!

Thursday, January 13th, 2011

Click to apply!

My name is Joshua Williams and I want to tell you about the STOP Hunger Scholarships which honor students who are working in our neighborhoods and communities fighting hunger.

I’m 9 now, but started helping to feed hungry people in Miami when I was much younger. My Foundation, Joshua’s Heart, distributes food every week to homeless, elderly, and homebound people in our community. Watch my foundation in action here. I look REALLY young, but it’s still just me! There was also an article written about Joshua’s Heart by Sodexo, which you can click here to read.

As a 2010 STOP Hunger Scholar, I was awarded a $5,000 scholarship (which my mom put in the bank for college!) In addition, Joshua’s Heart received a $5,000 grant, which was incredibly helpful in these tough economic times.

So if $5000 for school and $5000 for the charity of your choice sounds good, then now’s the time to apply for the Sodexo Foundation 2011 STOP Hunger Scholarships!

If you’re making a difference helping hungry people in your community, you should tell the Sodexo Foundation about it — maybe you will be selected as one of this year’s national STOP Hunger Scholars.

Your local charity will get a much needed grant and you’ll get a great head start on paying for college. Don’t wait – applications close February 18, 2011!

Joshua Williams is a 2010 STOP Hunger Scholar and the founder of the Joshua’s Heart foundation.

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Caring about the Hungry and Poor is Good Business

Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010

There is no doubt the world has made significant strides against poverty and hunger. Millions of people have lifted themselves out of poverty and are able to feed their families. With this kind of progress, it’s hard to believe there are nearly 44 million Americans living in poverty in this country.

More progress is clearly possible. I see ending hunger as the great Exodus for our time, an exodus from hunger. I think God is also calling us to get with the program, and especially to push our government to do its part to help end hunger in our country and around the world. We need more people to join the fight.

Companies such as Sodexo have made caring about hungry and poor people part of their culture. To combat global hunger and malnutrition, Sodexo is working to establish its “STOP Hunger” initiative in the 80 countries in which it operates by 2020. Currently, 39 countries actively participate in Sodexo’s STOP Hunger programs.

Bread for the World honored Sodexo this month with our first President’s Award, recognizing the company for its outstanding achievements in alleviating hunger in the United States and around the world.  Commitments like this by global corporations can make a huge impact at the local level while also shaping the public and private will needed to end hunger.

So, what can you do? When Jesus talked about how God will judge nations, he said God will focus on what we did or did not do for hungry people and people in need. In addition to corporate leadership, we need more people—especially people of faith—to provide the political “oomph” to get hunger and poverty at the top of our legislators’ agenda.

For the cost of a stamp, you can help improve the life of a hungry and poor child in your community. Writing a letter to your member of Congress that lets him or her know you care about hungry and poor people is a great place to start.

David Beckmann is president of Bread for the World. He is also an ordained minister, 2010 World Food Prize laureate and the author of Exodus from Hunger: We are called to change the politics of hunger.

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The smiles on their faces…

Tuesday, November 9th, 2010

For more photos from the event, click on the picture.

When I think back to the event, it’s the kids smiles I will remember the most. The event was the Sodexo Helping Hands Across America food drive I organized this semester on the campus of Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

In the past we struggled with participation because many students were interested in hosting their own food drives. This year, we all came together to host a campus wide event which was not only open to students, but also to surrounding community members! This year we also received support from the Greek community which made a huge difference in donations and participation.

On the day of our drive, the flow of traffic for the event was steady. We captured groups of faculty and students coming and going between classes, and we had the neighborhood Boys & Girls Club come over after school let out. Most of the games we had there were simple and geared towards the younger crowd, so the group that came over from the afterschool program had an absolute blast!

We planned the food drive with children in mind, so we had plenty of fun activities like hula-hoop contests, bean bag toss, face painting and a moon bounce! Just watching the kids run around and dance and play was fulfilling in and of itself. The ironic part is that several children who attended the event are recipients of assistance from Feeding America/Second Harvest Food Bank, so it was nice to know that we were able to give them much more than ever before.

At the end of the day we had collected 2,500 lbs of food (almost double from last year) and $180 in additional cash. I can tell you that we had plenty of surprises and prizes for our younger guests and not one child left without a fun token of the day in hand and a smile on their face!

In my view, the event was a success in many ways. We were able to educate the campus community about the cause, we were able to raise money and food for those children in need throughout our community, and we were able to bring that all together and celebrate it in a fun and meaningful way. We are already receiving inquiries about next year’s event!

Sodexo Helping Hands Across America is a national food drive which runs through November 12th, 2010.

Karinne Dieser is a marketing specialist for Sodexo at Lehigh University.

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Fighting Hunger With a Little Help from Our Friends

Friday, September 24th, 2010

Would you ‘lift a finger’ to help the one in eight Americans who does not have enough food to eat? That was the question we asked ourselves – and customers of The Conference Center at NorthPointe (Ohio) and the Phoenix Conference Centers (Arizona), offering to donate a meal to the local food bank for every person who clicked the ‘like’ button on our Facebook page.

More than 300 people including employees, relatives, friends, customers – and even our customers’ customers joined up, resulting in a donation of more than 400 meals to the Mid-Ohio Food bank and St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance.

The conversations we “overheard” on Facebook told us a bunch…

Toby Boyce was encouraged to leverage the power of social media to support “a great-great cause!” He also teased that he hoped to make it an ‘expensive’ promotion for Sodexo.

Phoenix customer Heather Rochefort was motivated by her experience with Sodexo as well as the importance of the cause, sharing “I don’t usually do this, but it’s a good legit cause from a convention center I work with a lot here in Phoenix.” She also encouraged her social media network to join her “I helped fight hunger in Phoenix and you can too!”

The outpouring of people who helped us provide 400 meals demonstrates the power of social media to engage people and encourage them to act, and also provides us with a new way to keep our customers informed about any special promotions and opportunities. We are gratified by the re-tweets by local news anchors, stories that appeared in community newspapers and – most rewarding of all — our clients , who demonstrated their confidence in us and our services to tell their friends.

We couldn’t have done it without them.

Erin Peschel is a Sodexo director of sales & national marketing for conference centers.

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