Community Giving Drive
Community Organizations Awarded $200,000 from Johnsonville Members' Nominations
At Johnsonville, our members (how we refer to our employees) are responsible for everything! That includes community giving. Every year, the company hosts a community giving program where members get to nominate local charitable and service organizations to receive a financial donation from Johnsonville. Through our Members, Johnsonville's campaign donated $200,000 to various organizations in the four Midwest communities where the company operates from.
Historically the program is held at the end of the year, but with the coronavirus pandemic, the need for critical services these organizations provide has increased exponentially and more urgently. So, Johnsonville accelerated the timeline to donate a portion of 2020 funds now, when organizations need them most.
“We’re blessed to be able to support some of the organizations doing great things for our neighbors and our communities in this time of crisis,” said Michael Stayer-Suprick, CEO of Johnsonville Holdings, about the donation effort.
The groups chosen by Johnsonville members to receive donations are:
- Meals on Wheels Sheboygan County
- Salvation Army of Sheboygan County
- Rock River Clinic in Fort Atkinson
- Waterloo/Marshall Food Pantry
- Watertown Food Pantry
- Momence School District
- Fortitude Community Outreach
- JMCA (Jackson County Ministerial Alliance) New Hope Center Food Pantry
- Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas
Member Pete Southwick, who nominated Meals on Wheels in Sheboygan County, made the call to share the donation news with their CEO. “It made my day and it humbled me to be associated with two organizations, Meals on Wheels and Johnsonville, that really value community.” When the organization's CEO Kelly Anderson got a call from Pete about the donation, it came at the perfect time. "Kindness is surely the best way to offset calamity, and the news of the Johnsonville gift immediately lifted our spirits. Knowing that we are able to continue to serve, without a waiting list, is priceless, and we are grateful to the entire Johnsonville team for this donation."
In Momence, Ill., Member Kirsten Bishir nominated the school district in her community for a donation to help offset expenses related to the pandemic, such as: PPE for their staff, providing a virtual graduation ceremony for their seniors, and for technology to support some students needing additional assistance.
“The superintendent was blown away by the support. This company giving drive has continued to make a huge impact here and is just another reason why I’m proud to be a part of Johnsonville!”