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Social Purpose Spotlight – Hatco Corporation
In NAFEM’s monthly Social Purpose Spotlight, a different member company’s individual social purpose story is featured. Perhaps reading about the creativity and dedication of these 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 Lorne Deacon, CFSP, president, Hatco Corporation, Milwaukee, Wis. Hatco has been partnering with their local food banks since 2015 and organizes a variety of volunteer opportunities for employee owners in Sturgeon Bay and Milwaukee, Wis. According to Deacon, “Hatco is committed to social responsibility and charitable giving through annual fundraising events, company donation matching programs, food drives, and blood drives to name a few.”
Some of Hatco’s events center around the holidays but opportunities to participate in social purpose activities are available all year. The Sturgeon Bay team has a “fun squad” of volunteers from across the company who regularly organize events to raise money for local community organizations. And in Milwaukee, there’s a group of employees who look for in-person volunteer opportunities which are then posted for all associates to get involved.
Some of the highlights from the Sturgeon Bay office include fundraising with food! They hold a battle of the soups, a chili cook-off, and a baking competition. Participants must donate to sample the recipes and vote for the winners. All funds raised are matched by the company and then donated to a local charity. In Milwaukee, there are biannual blood drives, contributions to Toys for Tots, a clothing drive to help the city’s largest homeless shelter, as well as an annual food drive to support local food pantries. Each Thanksgiving, employees can donate the turkey that Hatco gives them back to a food pantry to support families in need. Deacon adds, “More and more we have employee owners who want to work with a company that values giving back. Having NAFEM match our efforts has only increased our charitable giving.”
In both Sturgeon Bay and Milwaukee, Hatco has seen the requests for support and the amount of need in the community remain consistent. Deacon continues, “Our employees care so much about the company and the community. Hatco is one of the largest employers in the cities where we operate so our contributions are absolutely noticed and appreciated.”
If your organization is considering a social purpose initiative, Deacon suggests, “Reach out to your local Feeding America® contact and they will make it easy for you to participate! They provide ideas and help with organizing and generally create fun events for our teams.”
NAFEM’s Social Purpose program, #NAFEMFightingHunger, is back for its fifth year, with a goal of raising funds to support 6.5 million meals for those 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. This year, NAFEM will match up to $300,000 of member contributions to local food banks.
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.