FedEx Team Members Help Support Local Food Banks In Time of Need

Donations to the country’s Food Banks have not been able to keep up with the demand as economic woes are forcing more people than ever to get assistance to help feed their families.

Seeing an opportunity to help local communities, FedEx team members in several cities have staged food drives, made deliveries to senior centers and provided much needed volunteer support at their local food agencies.

In Indianapolis, employees recently participated in a city-wide cross operating company

“ FedEx Food Drive” for Gleaners Food Bank. Kellie Ostertag, FedEx Freight, was happy to participate.

“We love to collaborate with the other FedEx companies. This is such an important need in our community and we were happy to help make a difference.”

Over a thousand pounds of food items were donated. This is one of several programs the Indy employees have participated in this year.

“We have a long relationship with FedEx”, said Robert Wilson, Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana. “For the past seven years they have been a major supporter of our Toy Drive at Christmas time which provides toys to over 10,000 children. Over 300 FedEx employees came here for FedEx Cares Day and they spent a day assisting us all throughout our operation.”

A new program employees are excited about is the monthly food box deliveries to needy senior citizens. On the first Wednesday of each month FedEx makes a very special delivery to the Bellville Community Center. There, hundreds of area seniors pick up a 40 pound box of food supplies that will be in some cases their only food for the coming month.

“It makes me extremely proud to work for a company that allows its employees the time and resources to support our community at a time when it is really needed,” said Paul Aust, Dispatcher.

FedEx has also supported “Second Helpings” in Indianapolis, an organization that turns over 100,000 pounds of rescued food into 50,000 meals every month. Many recipients are part of United Way agencies, day care, senior centers and other organizations that would not have a nutrious meal if it weren’t for Second Helpings.

On behalf of FedEx, NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin presented Second Helpings with a Toyota Prius, which the organization uses to meet with the over 50 agencies they support throughout Indiana.

“FedEx has been a great supporter of Second Helpings,” said Cindy Hubert, President, Second Helpings. “The donation of the Prius and the employee’s willingness to help whenever we need them has created a wonderful relationship between us.”