Social Purpose Spotlight

In NAFEM’s monthly Social Purpose Spotlight, one member company’s social purpose story is featured. Perhaps reading about the creativity and dedication of fellow NAFEM members will inspire you to start a program at your organization or provide some new ideas to enhance what you’re already doing.

This month, we talked to Jocelyn Rasor, director of marketing, Lakeside Manufacturing, West Milwaukee, Wis. Lakeside has worked with Hunger Task Force, their local food bank, for many years. Hunger Task Force is Milwaukee’s only free and local food bank and happens to be located right next door to Lakeside! Rasor adds, “once we learned about Feeding America^® and the fact that NAFEM would generously match our efforts, we decided to actively participate in #NAFEMFightingHunger.”

Lakeside and its employees are united in supporting the local community in many ways. Rasor explains, “because many of our products are used heavily in K-12 schools, we know how widespread food insecurity is among children across Wisconsin and the country.” Whether it’s supporting children and families with after school meals or feeding the elderly population, Lakeside’s associates enthusiastically participate.

A unique initiative for Lakeside is its association with GPS Education Partners to help students complete their high school diploma in a classroom onsite at Lakeside. Student participants also work part time, rotating through Lakeside’s key production areas to learn valuable skills. Following graduation, successful GPS students are offered full-time jobs and ongoing education through Lakeside’s Education Assistance program. Rasor adds, “these students are part of the Lakeside family, and our employees support their development.”

A group of colleagues, including the HR department, help organize and plan activities. Rasor adds, “our CEO/chairman, Larry Moon, leads by example and is always open to new ideas and initiatives.” Lakeside has recently taken up collections for Milwaukee’s homeless veterans as well as holding company-wide food drives.

An annual food drive was organized as a competition during the summer, particularly timed to support students experiencing food insecurity when school is not in session. Associates were divided into five teams of about 30 people and there was one collection bin for each team.  A total of 1,047 items were donated, and the winning team set up a budget and went grocery shopping during their lunch hour to fill their bin first.

If your organization is considering a social purpose initiative Rasor suggests, “Make it fun! Try creating a competition. The award can be as simple as a pizza party. Remind your associates that this is a local effort that supports your local community and that there are people in the same cities where we live and work who are struggling to fight hunger.”

NAFEM’s Social Purpose program, #NAFEMFightingHunger, launched its sixth year in March. Since 2020, NAFEM members have donated more than 43 million meals to neighbors in need. When members donate funds, food or volunteer time to their local Feeding America member food banks or any local food bank, NAFEM contributes matching funds.

For ideas to start or enhance your company’s efforts, visit #NAFEMFightingHunger. If you have questions or would like to be featured in a future Social Purpose Spotlight, contact NAFEM Headquarters, +1.312.821.0201.