Hunger is an unfortunate reality for millions of Americans who rely on food banks and pantries for meals and groceries.
At Colonial Life and Unum, employees join forces each year to fight hunger in their communities through the company’s annual Heroes for Hunger food drive. The drive is an important part of the company’s Healthier Communities program, which supports those who are disproportionately at risk to adverse health outcomes like inequity in health services.
This year, through employee donations paired with corporate matches and grants, Colonial Life and Unum raised nearly $150,000, enough to provide more than 1.47 million meals to local families in the communities where the companies operate.
The monetary donations directly benefited community nonprofit partners, including Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, Chattanooga Community Kitchen, Preble Street, Wayside Food Programs, Worcester County Food Bank, Feeding America, and Harvest Hope Food Bank in Columbia.
“The state of hunger in our country was magnified by the pandemic, but sadly hunger has always been an issue within our communities,” said Erinn Rowe, CEO of Harvest Hope Food Bank in Columbia, S.C. “We’ve seen lines of our neighbors like never before. Each dollar donated helps Harvest Hope provide meals to those in need.”
More families are showing up to food banks than ever before. According to Feeding America, 38 million people face hunger in the U.S., including more the 12 million children.
“Over the last two years, we’ve seen an increase in families needing food assistance due to COVID-19 and now inflation,” said Mike Manning, president and CEO of Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank. “We’re honored you supported our mission through an employee giving campaign that allows us to put more meals on the tables of local families in need.”
Unum and Colonial Life were also able to give 5,000 hygiene kits and 5,000 snack kits to community nonprofits that provide shelter and care to those who need it. The kits went to help the Boys and Girls Club of Worcester, Chattanooga Community Kitchen, Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, Preble Street, Saint Vincent de Paul Shelter, Senior resources and local school partners in Maine.
If you’re interested in helping, there are many ways you can get involved. You can partner with local organizations like the ones listed above through both food and monetary donations, volunteer your time at a food bank and advocate for the cause. To donate or to find your local food bank, visit Feeding America today.
